6 yr Air Force contract vs. 4 yrs?

Question

I'm getting sworn in next week and I'm second guessing which contract I want.. Do they really pay you more money for the 6 year contract or little bit like $30 like I heard? Serious answers please.. I hate having regrets in life. Please don't tell me "It's up to me" If I went along with that right away, I wouldn't be asking for your opinion. Lol.

p.s I'm only 18 years old and just graduated this year. and i dont really have parents to help me decide.. so thanks for all your help.

Answer 1

An E-2 gets paid only $77 less than an E-3 (assuming both are less than 2 years of service).  That's about $38 less a paycheck.  Not really work the extra two years.

I signed up for 4 years, and I am so happy with my decision.  My husband did 6 years, and he regrets his.

Although you obtain higher rank, and therefore get paid more, it's really not a lot of money that makes a difference.  The rank doesn't really make a huge difference either.  Airmen are airmen.  A E-3 can't boss around a E-2.  You need to be a E-5 or higher, and go to Airman Leadership School before you start having responsibility over others.

My career field has a huge re-enlistment bonus.  My husband has the same career field.  I'm going to get that bonus sooner than my husband.  And if I sign up for the minimal, my next bonus won't be that far away.  The 6 year contract doesn't make the bonus for re-enlistment any higher.  

In fact, when the military knows you've been in for so long (10 years about), they won't offer as much $ for the bonus, if they offer one at all, because you are more likely to stay in.  

I HIGHLY suggest the 4 years.  I've never talked to anyone who has regretted the 4 year enlistment.  The 6 year enlistment is a great deal for the military, but not for the individual.  Afterall, if you want to stay in, you can just re-enlist.  That easy.

Answer 2

Longer the contract the bigger the signing bonus...........how much i don't know depends on your job classification.

It all depends what you want to do in the future...do you intend to have a long military career? Do you want to get a college degree? 6 years is a huge commitment so think carefully what you want to do...I know you just graduated but you have to start planning ahead becuase this is a huge step your making.

I would go 4 years mainly because should I decide I don't want to stay in the military much longer and pursue other options I'll be free to, and if I want to stay in the militarty i'll simply renew my contract.

Talk to your recruiter about 4 vs 6 and weigh the pros and cons and what extrea benefits you might get.

imma ROTC cadet for the army at my university so I have to make this decision pretty soon myself. Best of luck to you

Answer 3

The chart below represents the typical monthly base pay for Air Force personnel. The left side of the chart represents your rank or pay grade. The top of the chart represents the number of years on active duty.

Your salary will be based on your time in the Air Force, marital status, where you live and your rank. Enlisted personnel enter the Air Force as rank E-1 and are promoted through the ranks as E-2, E-3, etc.

Officers enter the Air Force as O-1 and likewise work their way up as O-2, O-3, etc

http://www.airforce.com/careers/paychart...

Answer 4

There are bonuses and you can go in as a higher rank (E3 after basic) if you do 6 years vs. 4 years - you may have to talk them into it tho, just mention it to the recruiter...  If you're going to reenlist at some point, the 6 year mark would be a higher bonus than a 4 year mark.

Regardless, you're still doing an 8 year contract whether 4 or 6 years active, you'll do either 2 years or 4 years inactive.  NEVER GO IN WITHOUT KNOWING THE NAME OF THE JOB YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AND SEEING IT ON PAPER OFFICIALLY.  You'll get c**p and you'll hate it.

If you end up reenlisting after 6 though, you'll be at about a 10 year mark when thats done and you might as well do the extra years to get 20 for retirement.  

Good luck!!