I have a question about the U.S Air force?

Question

My cousin is joining the air force and I have some questions. I know you have to go to the Air force Academy. But, what do they do when you graduate? Also, how long does it take to be shipped off to where ever you are fighting a war like Iraq after you graduate?

Answer 1

If War escalates in the future , he might just get a crash course

I really dont know?

but it sounds about right..lol

Answer 2

You only go to the air force academy if you are going to be an officer. Most people just go to basic training. I have been in for 2 years and my husband has been in for 3 years and neither one of us has deployed yet.  

Answer 3

Only a very few of those in the USAF go to the Air Force Academy.   You go there first and if you graduate you get a commission as an officer.  I doubt your cousin is going to go there.  

If he joins he will go to basic training for about a month down at Lackland AFB in Texas.  Then he goes to technical school to learn how to do his job.   That could take 3 months to a year,  depending upon what his job is going to be.   After that it depends upon if his particular job requires him to be in Iraq.  For example..if he is an avionics technician on the B2 bomber,  it is highly unlikely he will be in Iraq as those planes tend to fly out of bases outside the country.   However if he is a security specialist,  he probably will be in Iraq pretty darn quick as they are needed there in large numbers.

Answer 4

The Air Force Academy is basically a "Military College" with very high standards and requirements (straight A's, community service, leadership, Varsity sports, etc.) and is difficult to get into. Not all Air Force Members attend the AFA. If he does attend it, when he graduates with his bachelors, he will be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, and will then go onto specific training for the career specialty he will perform. There are other ways, however.

If he joins ROTC, he'll be enrolled in a normal college and attend normal classes with PT, leadership labs etc each week, and also be comissioned when he graduates.

If he chooses to enlist, he will go through basic training, then advance training for his career specialty.

When it comes to being shipped off to Iraq or whereever, it also depends on his career. Mny careers in the air force (along with the other military branches) are not deployed. A combat career in the air force such as special forces, security forces, and other careers may have him deployed. Many other careers, such as flight engineer, scientist, mechanic, etc. will keep him at an AF base where ever he is needed. What you do when you graduate is all base don what specific career specialty you choose. Hope this helps.