Is the U.S. Airforce Right for me?

Question

Alright I've been kicking this around in my head for quite some time and I'd like some opinions from others who have done it.

I'm approaching the end of my College Career. I have about a year left of school or so with a Major in French and Writing. The problem is I don't want to finish my school and just have bought a $40,000 piece of paper. I was thinking of joining the US Airforce Officer Program because...

1. I want to learn to become a good leader.

2. I want to live Overseas

3. I want to have a secure job.

4. I want to learn languages and USE them.

My dad was in the military and he loved it and he's always pushing me but I don't want to do it just because he keeps egging me on.

So here are some questions maybe you could help me with.

1. How much responsibility does a 2nd Lt.- Cap have?

2. What are my chances of being placed where I want to overseas (I speak French and I'm willing to learn others if it means I can live in that area)

(I asked an Air Force Recruiter this same question and each time I asked he just said you will be placed where you are needed- not the best recruiter)

3. What normal everyday things I could do in the US can't I do anymore by being in the AF/being an Officer?

4. Is there anyway I can start working for the AF while still finishing school (So I don't start when I'm 24)?

Thanks!

Answer 1

The short answer is; The Air Farce - er, Force - decides if you're right for them.  Only you can decide if it's right for you.  To address your specific questions:

1) They have more responsibility than you might expect.  At a minimum, millions of dollars worth of equipment, and the careers - if not the lives - of several dozen people will be in your care.

2) Although the Air Force does value foreign language skills, quite frankly French isn't high on their priority list.  And the recruiter *has* to tell you that your deployment will be based on the needs of the force, because it is.  They can't promise, or even seem to promise, any particular outcome.  The recruiter doesn't make that decision.  You can certainly ask, and probably tweak your odds one way or another; but there are never any guarantees.

3) The main thing you can't do is speak openly against the government.  As an agent and representative of government policy, you cannot be seen openly opposing it.  More generally, you can't slob around on duty in grubby outfits, and you can't do anything while in uniform which might embarrass the Air Force or the US.  Your recruiter can explain this in more detail.

4) If it's available, consider AFROTC; you can enroll in the basic courses even if you're not officially 'in' the program.  (You would need at least two years remaining to do the full program.)  Failing that, you can hang out with cadets to learn more about the Air Force, as long as you don't disrupt their training.  They might even let you 'audit' the upper level courses - that's a decision of the officers on campus, not your recruiter.

Good luck, and Aim High!

PS - Yes, I tweak the AF from time to time, I was in the Army.  :D

Answer 2

The question you should ask is, "I am right for the Air Force?"  

Answer 3

1. How much responsibility does a 2nd Lt.- Cap have?as any officer you will be taking orders directly from comand and telling the enlisted what to do and how to carry them out thre is great responsiblity as any officer in the military.

2. What are my chances of being placed where I want to overseas (I speak French and I'm willing to learn others if it means I can live in that area)

(I asked an Air Force Recruiter this same question and each time I asked he just said you will be placed where you are needed- not the best recruiter)  atleast your recruiter is not making any empty promises to you generly when you enlist and go through MEPS military entry processing station you pick three state side places you want to go and 3 overseas places you want to go generaly you get one of your choices

3. What normal everyday things I could do in the US can't I do anymore by being in the AF/being an Officer?as an officer or any military member you have to be a good example.   Officers are not allowed to hang out with other enlisted soliders depending on rank usualy

4. Is there anyway I can start working for the AF while still finishing school (So I don't start when I'm 24)? you can join the airforce reservs this puts a lil extra money in your pocket for school and you can go active if you want to later

Answer 4

like the giuy above me said, look into AFROTC, they have a two year program that you could go though as long as your enrolled in school, (maybe start working on your masters?). This way as long as you pass your PT test and the AFOQT test you pretty much guaranteed commission, where as OCS, only selects a certain amount of applicants and is therefore harder to get into.

If youd like, pm me, and i can maybe elaborate a little more for ya. Good luck with you decision, hope you go for it.  

Answer 5

Your responsibilities in the Air Force will be higher as an officer rather than an enlisted member.  They will not be anything more than what you're trained for.  Your chances of being stationed overseas will be pretty good.  It just won't always be places of your choosing.  As far as your 3rd question goes, you'll be an officer and will therefor have a reputation to uphold.  That goes for off duty as well.  You won't be allowed to attend any political rallies or do any sort of campaigning for politicians.  That goes for all military personnel, being you will be looked upon as a representing the Air Force, not just yourself anymore.

For your 4th question, the answer is most likely no.  You'll have to complete your college degree before you can get your commission.  I'm quite sure they will help you out on all those student loans.

All-in-all, it sounds like you're almost ready for a career in the military.  It doesn't necessarily have to be in the Air Force.  Any branch of service is great to be apart of.  Do you have ROTC at your college?  If so check with them on some avenues to take to join the military.  Also, shop around for recruiters, they're all a little different.

Bon Chance!

Answer 6

1. Depends on your job. You could be a flyer in charge of millions of dollars of equipment or you could be supervising Airmen handing out towels at the gym and writing performance reports all day.

2. Overseas again depends on your job. I have never met an officer linguist. I have met officers that know a language that allows them to go to certain places on a staff tour (Liaison officers etc...probably not as a lieutenant though).

3. You are still a regular person. You just have the added restrictions of the UCMJ that restricts some activities and basically doubles the punishment if you do something stupid on the civilian side.

4. If you want to come in as an officer then the answer is no. If you enlist you will not be able to actively pursue you degree for at least 6 months because of basic and then tech school and there is no guarantee that you would be accepted to OTS. Just either go straight to OTS or do a 2 yr ROTC course.

My advice to you is to thoroughly research the job possibilities that are available to newly commissioned officers. If you are accepted to OTS, you are accepted as a specific kind of officer. (accepted as a Nav, pilot, comm officer, intel, etc). Some of these jobs will offer you the opportunity to go overseas but I wouldn't count on it right away. It is a combination of performance, seniority and luck that go into getting an overseas assignment.