Air Force Life for E-3's

Question

I recently (last month) finished my B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Administration with a 3.2 GPA. Now, I spoke with a recruiter, and he told me that if I am to apply to become and Officer, that I have to take the AFOQT and submit my package before Sept. 30. So, he basically told me that the probability of them accepting me with my degree is very difficult unless I Ace the test (which I hear has lots of math so, darn it), but he did try to sell me the whole E-3 and after a while apply to OTS thing. Now my question is, what is Enlisted life like? Are there memberships to gyms and pools (I mean, I would think they need all airmen to be fit)? What about housing and people? What is that like?

I am a 24 year old female (will turn 25 in November) was born and raised in PR (I speak fluent Spanish, but my first language is English, having gone to a school on an Army Base all my life. I also speak some French). While I did fail some courses (because of the fact that due to work, I barely ever attended for a while), I took them again and passed them with A's, thus saving my GPA. I am already a Supervisor (well before graduating), and do charity work all the time. The main concern is, while enlisted, will there be people my age or am I a little to old to enlist? I know the limit is 27, but as far as people go, will the majority be younger than me?

Any help would be very much appreciated:)

Answer 1

listen take it from an air force officer obviously with a degree, the air force is actually turning away recruits for commisioning because we are fulled up they are downsizing the air force and redistriuting the force in accordance with the BRAC from the sec of defense

if you have a college degree and quality of life is important to you then become a usaf officer and accept nothing less if you miss the deadline for your package wait for the next one. Its not worth being an E-3 if you already have a degree. If your an officer then you making good money and your more higher ranking then enlisted folks but dont abuse it because you will see what happens.

anyhow yes the afqt isnt a walk in the park but do your best and worst come to worst you might not get the job you want but at least you can still be an officer and retrain later. obviously im not going to bash any other armed forces, but the air force has the best quality of life period and being an officer is that much sweeter

if you go e-3 you will be in the company of 18-20 yr olds....so thats not good if your 24. i joinedthe usaf enlisted at 18 got my degree while i was enlisted then became an officer

if your not married and used to independence you will hate being an E-3 because you have to life in the dorms until your an e-4- in the dorms with a bunch of 18-21 year olds majority, i think since your a woman and 24 that you probably want to be in the company of older folks. What a lot of people didnt say is make sure you are at your peak physical ability because the air force is so competitive now they are only looking forthe best of the best you are in a competition remember that

Answer 2

Air Force life is good.

I would suggest you become an officer in the Army.  

Answer 3

I guess I will try to hit your points as a newer Airman. The enlisted route: You will go to basic ~6 weeks (might have changed) it will be very different from what you are used to (just do what your told the best you can and suck it up) and then head to technical training school for your speciality. Depending on your AFSC and base your school can be anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to a year. Technical training school is a little less dominative than basic is (You get more freedoms but still have a lot more 'military' throughout your days like formations and rules). After TTS you move on to your first base as a First Term Airman and will probably go through a orientation class for a few days-weeks to get adjusted, meet people. Life from here on is pretty stable; Unmarried: You live in the dorms with peers until you are allowed out generally 1-2 years, Married: You can move to your own housing immediately. The Air Force becomes pretty much a normal job at this point going to work and coming back everyday, depending on your units you may have to do the 'military' stuff occaisionally (formations and such; some places are lax).

To directly answers your questions: Everyone has access to gym & pools, Housing is always provided, Personally I think Enlisted life is more bonding & of the commoner type lifestyle (like middle class america), and you will (I said will, because you will find older and a lot younger too) find people your age but the majority may be around the somewhat lower 20s.

I would say try to go as an Officer if you are focusing financially and upper class wise. The enlisted life is not bad at all however.

Answer 4

You would need to do exceptionally well on the afoqt.He is right,the Air Force wants people with technical degrees,they have so many applying they can pick and choose for officer.

Personally I would just enlist with the e-3,then if you want submit for OTS,they put more consideration for someone who already knows how the Air Force works than the fresh graduate.

If you ship off anytime between now and september it would probably be a lot of high school grads.

Answer 5

Not bad honestly.  The Air Force is know for it's quality of life programs. The AF has great dorms, dining facilities and fitness centers. You can opt to just submit your officer selection package until you hear back. If you are not offered a Commission, you can always decide to go in as an E-3.  Insist on only submitting your Officer Package to start with.