Environmental Science Degree to Navy or Air Force?

Question

So I will be finishing up my Environmental Science degree next May (09) with a math minor. I am 25, married, and have two cats. I want to have a child in the next 2-3 years. I was thinking about graduate school for atmospheric sciences, or hydrology (environmental engineering type stuff) but I saw that the Navy had some graduate programs for that type of stuff and would like a little more financial security. I could see myself going for the full 20 until retirement just so I know I will have insurances and good money to support my family

I have a 3.7 GPA and have worked research jobs before

I will have about $30,000 of loans when I get done with my degree, so I would like to have those paid off.

Since I am married and I want a kid, a lifestyle where I can be with my family would be the best.

I am making this decision too because I have always wanted to go through boot camp to prove to myself that I could do it. I like to live in a very regimented and organized method already so I don't think I would have any problem adjusting to that kind of thing.

Living outside of the US on a base definitely appeals to me.

So I enroll to be an officer and go to OCS right? Would the Navy or Air Force be a better bet for me?

Answer 1

i would say AF, you wot have to worry about being stationed out at sea and away from your family, and the air force is usually the best in general engineering within the U.S military.  

Answer 2

I'm not sure from the way you phrased your question that the military would be a good move for you. Not once did you mention a desire to serve your country or put your service before yourself. You basically want a job that will pay off your student loans, pay for your graduate degree, let you stay with your family and have financial security and a retirement check after only 20 years. I see people every day in the military who are miserable because they joined for those same reasons and are simply trying to wait it out. If you don't go into the military with the understanding that the majority of the time the needs of the mission, your unit, your branch and the nation will be put before your own you will get a rude awakening. That being said, if you do desire to serve out of patriotism in addition to the reasons listed above and simply didn't state that then I apologize.

To your question: The Navy has alot more environmental programs/positions and opportunities for graduate degrees during active duty. The Air Force has some opportunities but the area of environmental sciences is limited. The USAF already knows and accepts the vast majority of the impacts that their flying has on the environment. The Navy is constantly hampered by environmental groups with lawsuits concerning the effects of a wide-range of military systems on oceanic wildlife. They are always trying to research and stay one step ahead of the lawsuits aimed at stopping their new toys.

Family life is all going to depend on what job you get. The AF does have some research and development jobs that will never see a deployment because of the sensitive nature of their research and the limited scope of their training. I am an AF Nav and I have been to OEF and OIF twice each. The Navy is probably the same. Some jobs will deploy (maybe alot) and some won't. You just have to know what job you are getting into.

You also have to get yourself accepted into either AF OTS or Navy OCS. Neither one is easy. The AF has spent the last two years cutting the size of their OTS classes by 60 percent. 40,000 active duty AF members were force shaped over the last two years. Getting accepted into OTS is not easy even if you get great grades and test off the charts. There just may not be a slot for your desired afsc. The Navy is probably not any easier but I don't have first-hand experience.

Just make sure that you at least have some desire to serve out of patriotism or it is going to be a slow painful crawl to 20 years.

Answer 3

Are you male or female? I'm curious because if you are female and planning on having children in 2 to 3 years I wouldn't recommended going into the military at all. Just my personal opinion.

Both branches have pros and cons. I believe the Navy will give you the most opportunities though.  Also remember the Air Force rejects more people than the Navy.  

Answer 4

airforce def.  

Answer 5

Months at sea does not sound like a way to start a family to me.

Go AF....get stationed stateside for a few years...then consider your options.

Good luck, be safe!

Answer 6

the College loan repayment programs is NOT offered to OCS  candidates.   Not every Officer goes to NPS( Postgrad school)

the degree and GPA is good start, you may have a decent shot at being picked up for OCS.    there is a shortage of METOC officers right now.  You WILL deploy and you  WILL spend a considerable amount of time away from your family.  my one friend whose DH is METOC spent 12 months in the Horn of Africa Unaccompanied.  

OCS candidates attend OCS in Rhode Island, not Boot Camp at Great lakes.   there are similarities, but there are big differences..a lot more class room instruction and instead of RDCs you have Marine Drill Instructors.  

Or, you could enlist as an AG( assuming you qualify and a slot is open), get the loans paid off and then either seek a commission from within or go LDO/Warrant.  

Answer 7

Your area of study sounds like either service would benefit. You probably wouldn't draw sea duty,(o f course now that I have said that...). If there is an ROTC program at your school, check it out. You might be able to "fast track" yourself into a pair of gold bars. There also may be a signing bonus in there somewhere.