Thinking about joining US Air Force.

[Markie_Mark]

I'm 17, 18 in Oct. I'm seriously thinking about joining the air force. I'm not totally sure about what I want to do in life, nor am I lost. I want a change and a life experience that I'm going to remember for the rest of my life. I've had some shit thrown at me in the past two years. Mom and step dad broke up. My relationship with my mom is average now. My relationship with my dad is totally fucked, after he married his bitch ass wife. Haven't talked to him in 6 months and he still wont answer my phone calls. I'm now here at a relatives house paying off my debt with the school. Just when I think I can move forward...BAM!! I got a refund from my school for $800 which would've went to paying off bills, but they sent it to my moms house and she forged the check and put it in her account. I'm now asked to pay $350 for a truck payment and $200 for insurance on a fucking truck I don't even own.


Without me getting to deep into it you guys can see my situation is mediocre at best. I started looking into this, not just as an out but a change for me. A place where I can get some schooling, make some money, and have an experience of a lifetime. I'm not really sure how it works or what I need to do. I was thinking some sort of 2-4 enlistment and going from there.

If I can just get maybe some general info. on how everything works that would great. Bases, Living, Training, Schooling, Careers, How much money I would make if any? I'm in Arnold, CA right now and I think the closest base is Beale. I'm not sure if they put you to the closest base that you are or what? Do I live on base (Dorm Style I suppose)? Is all of that paid for? Right now I don't meet the height/weight qualifications, but I'm working very hard on that every day. Thanks Guys!!:YEAH

[me378]

go see a recruiter 1st. i just got out after six years. i dont think you can do 2 yrs. i think its either 4 or 6. i know in some career fields you get a bonus. pm me if you have any other questions.

[armydog]

The military has it's ups and downs. I'm a military brat ( and damn proud ) and I also joined the military. The biggest thing when anyone joins the military is:

Can you deal with going to war? Multipul deployments? A lot of poeple think about all the things the military can offer you, but they seem to over look the whole "Military" thing. And when it comes time for war, people freak out. If you can honestly answer that question for youself, then go for it. And please don't think, I'll join the Air Force so I can be "in rear with the gear", and not get hurt. I am currently in the sandbox ( civilian now)and we get activity here, and I never leave the base. Food for thought.

My dad retired from the Air Force and he had a great time. Not to mention all of the places that we have been to. I joined the military, but I never had the drive to join the Air Force. I just had to do my own thing (USMC/ARMY).

As far as your questions go,

Air Force bases are the nicest buy far. You live in the barracks if your single, and base housing if you have a family. All of which are paid for.

Money, well don't expect to make much. Your pay goes up depending on your rank, or when congress wants to give out pay raises for the military ( don't count on this too offen ). My best advice for you is, put some of you money in TSP (Thrift Savings Plan, Military version of a extra 401k plan) and do not, do not, do not, buy the top of the line car. I have seen too many service members with a kick ass ride, and they are spending damn near their whole paycheck on a car payment.

You won't have to buy food. You can eat at the chow hall for free.

Careers. What would you like to do? Don't go open contract. You should choose you job. Not someone else.

After you graduate from you tech school, It's really a crap shoot as to where you will be stationed. (I use to live at Beale AFB when I was little BTW.)

I hope this answers some of your questions. If not, hit me up.

[EvanfromNW]

defiently have a job in writing before you leave for bootcamp

[richfunk]

Ok.. here we go... yes the military has its ups and its down's.. i am currently in the army.. deployed (with 101st).. for 15 months.. well.. here we go.. we have 6 air force personnel on my FOB.. 4 don't carry weapons.. and they get replaced every 3 months..(they talk to the jets that do airstrikes) ok.. being air force im not sure but.. i don't believe you will deploy longer then 6 months.. before being able to come home.. you certainly won't deploy for 15.. DEPENDING on your job.. the other 2 are EOD tech's.. they are here for 15 months.. due to high IED attacks.. ok.. i thought about joining the AF... You guys have good looking females... good bases.. and great barracks.. (we air force staying in a marine barracks in FT gordon.. and they got cola..) now the down's.. they're so many ppl in the AF that they are being force to downsize(you'll get kicked out for stupid shit) You won't gain rank.. so if you go in as E-2.. more then likely you will stay a e-2 for a while.. and no matter what.. if your in the AF.. other branches are going to make fun of you.. because no matter what you think.. or believe.. you are basically a girl scout in there eye's.. but hey.. mostly all branches will give you good school.. or money for school.. and a great expriences for the most part.. i have good things to say about the army.. then bad things to say.. every branch im sure has the same deal.. some good and some bad.. but i guess you just need to do some research..

[Markie_Mark]

Alright another question for you guys. Doubt it applies here, but whatever. I was and still am overweight. I've lost a shitload of weight already, but I'm hitting a fucking wall right now. After losing my job at chevrolet I barley ever at the gym costs to fucking much. So I've been at home messing around with some free weights and running twice a day on a treadmill. Do I need to start dragging it out longer and longer. I'm eating good...protein, fruits and vegetables...nothing else at all. What am I doing wrong....Open to any suggestions at this point. 360lbs-Oct 2007 250lbs-Today!

[Retro]

ok listen, cut out any food that is white,like milk,bread, potatos,pasta ect. not califlower. this will help.no soda at all,nothing like that.no sugar too.
eat less<don't starve yourself> and move more. also try drinking supliment shakes for 1 or 2 meals a day while on your diet.
oh yea water,water,water.
also when you work out, try to keep your heart rate in your target area for at least 20 min every other day , because your muscles burn fat as they are resting fyi.
get a total gym to work out at home and get sleep 7-8 hours per night.
dont use an anti persprent deoderent because you need to sweat.

[StrictlyStunt]

believe it or not... people with shitty homelife and bad relationship with there family's succeed the most in the military. When you have nothing to look forward to at home, you have more of a reason to be there.

i got to know some navy seals my father has known and drilled with for the past 30 years. Every guy that was in that seal team went in because of shitty family life. Seems like the less you have to come home to the more you put into it.

My father went in when he was 19 years old... his father left him when he was young. His family was a mess. He couldn't afford shit. Turned his life around and made him extremely successful in and out of the military.

Just a thought. Seems like the military is exactly what u need

[airbornerunner]

army shits onthe airforce

[5starstunta]

You mean the Department of Transportation?


Go Navy