Should i join AF? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pshibly · #1 10-24-2003, 07:02 PM

thanks everyone for the input. i come from a military life, where my cousins are all officers/pilots in the military and i spend summers with them. this past summer i was on Hickam in Hawaii....definitely a good time.

the only thing i cant experience is the actual job, and what comes along with it. just because of the sheer fact that its military-only in the office buildings. hah. what is office-life like? since i will be doing computer engineering (in the Intelligence Community) or doing simulation/machine learning implementation, i was wondering how day-to-day work-life is. i have no reservations about taking my commissions, because i know if i was to do AF, i would stay clear of combat, just because of my background with computer engineering and research. One of the big reasons why i want to do AF is because i want to be sent around the country and overseas, and live on base.

oh, another question i had is when im an officer, would there ever be a time where i might be put in a combat position (leading troops) or have obligations outside of the civilian-like job of engineering?

if anyones been in the engineering field in the military, let me know how the job was. i dont want to prejudge, but i keep thinking a military office job would be hard because it would be more "taking orders" from higher up. i keep wanting to think there is more restriction on independance with the job, than in the same job in the civilian world.

again, thanks for all the input. and thanks for not making this political or anything.

mikemover · #2 10-25-2003, 02:00 AM

Yes.

#3 10-25-2003, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pshibly

oh, another question i had is when im an officer, would there ever be a time where i might be put in a combat position (leading troops) or have obligations outside of the civilian-like job of engineering?

if anyones been in the engineering field in the military, let me know how the job was. i dont want to prejudge, but i keep thinking a military office job would be hard because it would be more "taking orders" from higher up. i keep wanting to think there is more restriction on independance with the job, than in the same job in the civilian world.

Military engineering and office jobs are very similar to civilian jobs minus the back stabbing, you work 7:30 to 3:30 and take breaks lunch just like regular people. I was in Military Intelligence; most of my co-workers were officers while I was a com-sec specialist. When the $hit does hit the fan it's all business and you just do your job and come home, no biggie.

My brother is an Air Force KC-10 pilot and loves it. Your really don't have anything to lose and if your thinking about you will probably regret it if you don't. I don't understand why people think military duty is so hard all you do is run around and do what you’re told for a few years and you’re done. You can always state your opinion to higher ranks; it works just like a big company, maybe a little smoother.

Unless your in pararescue in the Air Force, maybe radar or Commo it's very unlikely you will ever see a gun after training.

suginami · #4 10-25-2003, 11:52 AM

After re-reading your posts, I don't understand why you're worried about taking orders from higher-ups / officers, et. al.

Heck, in my professional career, I've always had a boss, and they've always given me orders that I've had to follow. I've never like taking orders, but I follow them nonetheless. I guess the only difference is that if I get fed up, I could always quit. In the miltary, that is not really an option.

#5 10-25-2003, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by suginami
After re-reading your posts, I don't understand why you're worried about taking orders from higher-ups / officers, et. al.

Heck, in my professional career, I've always had a boss, and they've always given me orders that I've had to follow. I've never like taking orders, but I follow them nonetheless. I guess the only difference is that if I get fed up, I could always quit. In the miltary, that is not really an option.

Exactly, I own my company and have people telling me what to do 24/7 if I don't do what I'm told I starve.

Wes Bender · #6 10-25-2003, 05:51 PM

One comment that I should have put in my earlier reply -

If you are planning on making the military a career in order to get a decent retirement - don't. If you are fiscally responsible and willing to work reasonably hard, you will have a much better retirement in your older years.

I am much better off financially than I would have been had I stayed with the USAF for 20 - 30 years. (I still enjoyed the time I was in though.)

Cheers,
Wes

pshibly · #7 10-25-2003, 08:35 PM

yeah, i never thought about retirement. it didnt cross my mind when thinkin about the AF. im definitely not doing Air Force for hte money.... i hear that governemnt pay isnt the best. what did you guys make on the paygrid? and what am i expecting during the first 4 years in?

Botnst · #8 10-25-2003, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pshibly
what did you guys make on the paygrid?

When I earned E-3 I made I got about $100/mo. Wa-hoo... That was crap, even back then.

You don't do it for the bennies, you do it for yourself. If its something you feel compelled to do, and you can followed orders even when you disagree, then you might survive the foolishness of it all--and believe me, there's plenty of foolishness.

Society, including those in political disagreement, will honor your commitment. Even Kucinich, vehement opposition to war that he is, would not dishonor the men and women of the armed forces.

Here's a warning: If you're an officer in a technical field, you can be reassigned, damn your contractual understanding. If you cannot hack the possibility that you may be asked to cause the death of others--and that you will do it under orders; stay out. Become a flower farmer and leave the military to men and women who can hack it.

That's one reason we honor those men and women: Officer and enlisted--they do what most cannot do. Even at the price of their lives, they do it. Can you make that level of commitment--on faith?

Botnst

Breckman99 · #9 10-26-2003, 01:09 AM

I am working on the same decision myself - GO FOR IT! Thats what I'm going to do - electrical engineering seems to be my calling and they have all the cool toys....

pshibly · #10 10-26-2003, 07:05 PM

yeah, everything thats been posted here has ran through my mind (except retirement! lol). thanks for all the info and the advice. ive come to realize that no matter what you do in life, there is the good and the bad....you just have to make the best of it. i have no doubt that i will LOVE the air force. im taking the AFOQT in November so ive got a month to brush up on the stuff.