Contemplating to join Air Force?
922085
If you're 26 and have a green card, you may be eligible to join the Air Force.  Talk to your local Air Force recruiter.  You'll have to take the ASVAB and get the minimum passing score to join, but it's not a very hard test -- it covers junior-high-school-level math, science, language arts, etc.  Some parts are trickier than others, but overall it's not tough.  There are several parts to the exam and it's multiple choice.  Once you take the exam, the Air Force breaks it down and rates you on a scale of 1 to 99 in four categories:  (1) Electrical, (2) Mechanical, (3) General, and (4) Administrative.  Your scores dictate whether you qualify for the Air Force and what jobs you can get, so the higher you score in all four areas the better chance you have of getting the job you want.  A score of 50 in any particular area means you'll be eligible for most jobs that fall into that category, and a score of 65 or better will make you eligible for almost all jobs in that category. \n\nAs for basic training, it was only six weeks long when I went through, but I understand they're extending it to nine weeks.  Air Force basic training is the easiest to get through.  It's the least physically demanding and it's also one of the shortest.  All you have to do is listen carefully, learn what they teach you, do what you're told, don't take it personally when they scream at you and say you're worthless (they do that to everybody), and most of all, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!  Don't speak unless spoken to and don't EVER talk when you're not supposed to talk, like during a fire drill.  I found out the hard way on that one.\n\nIf you can get into the Air Force, it is by far the best branch of the service to get into.  I've been in for over 16 years myself, and all my colleagues in the Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard have all said the same thing:  "Man, I wish I had joined the Air Force!"  The list of benefits is really too long to list here, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.  Just bear in mind that the experience is what you make of it.  If you have a bad attitude about your job or where you're stationed or anything like that, you'll have a bad experience.  But if you make the best of it and realize your brothers and sisters in the other branches of the service have it A LOT WORSE than you do, you'll have a good experience.\n\nGood luck!
1000689
After serving 28+ yrs (10 on active duty in the Air Force, 8 in the Army Nat'l Guard and 10 in the Air Nat'l Guard).  I can honestly say I enjoyed serving in the Air Force more.  \n\nWhat you need to do is ask each branch ( recruiters are only enthusiastic about their branch), what their mission is and what that means for you as a potential enlistee/officer.  Next, find out about career advancement and training. Ask as many questions as you can think of.\n\nPersonally, if I had to do it over again, I would probably do exactly what I did in 1970 - Join the Air Force.
476757
It I were to go into the armed forces (I won't, but that's besides the fact) then I'd go into the air force (if my eyes weren't so bad.
911813
Each branch of the US Military has their own commissioning source(s) and will therefore give you different advice on the "best" ways to go about it. If you are less than two years into College, or are still high school, consider ROTC or entrance into your preferred military service's academy. If you currently hold a degree from an accredited institution, consider Officer Training School (OTS) as your commissioning source.\n\nThe path to flight status can be complicated, and there are a lot of disqualifying factors--everything comes into play--your sitting height/weight, your vision, your work/school history, any civil involvement. You need to concentrate on one thing at a time. \n\nIf you're still early in the game, talk to a recruiter but don't necessarily believe everything he says, and get all your options lined up before you make a decision. You'll want to do a lot of research as well. A good source of info is at www.baseops.net\n\nThe road to wings can take years--but will be more than worth it if you want it bad enough. Generally speaking as well, you will incur a 6 year active duty service commitment if you are accepted for a pilot slot.\n\nAlso keep in mind if the military is even for you. I've met a lot of officers that got hooked in Undergraduate Pilot Training, and now serve as officers somewhere else. Keep in mind that if everything doesn't work out in pilot training, you'd already be a commissioned officer at that point--so you'll still have to serve out your committment.\n\nMostly, more than anything, have your heart into it. If you know it's what you want, then go all the way...\n\nSee you in the air...\n\n"Sith"
332862
Military academies have many top students. You do not need to be in one to go to the air force but it would help.\nWhat he needs to do is study study study Be the top of his class and a sports. ROTC any where he going would be a must even if its not air force.
326429
You can easily go down to the Air Force recruiting office and see if that person you are looking for is in the Air Force.
930147
Ok, when my son was in High School he wanted to be a pilot.\nHe started by getting in the High School Jr ROTC (Navy for four years and the Civil Air Patrol (an Air Force Auxillary) for students 13-21 yrs of age. I was also in the Civil Air Patrol and the commander of the cadet program. It is a wonderful program and so many opportunities and scholarship available. It is military and aerospace in nature. You study and take tests to move up in rank. It is a mini-form of the Air force training academies even with there own boot camp. My son was in it 8 year and he got to be an exchange student to Japan for 3 weeks all expenses paid. And he got a scholarship to the Army ROTC at the University of Nevada Reno for four years. \n\nHe applied for Pilot and went through rigorous testing and physicals. He passed but did not get a pilots slot with the Army at the time since they were trying to fill there quota with women. So he decided on Transportation Field. He is serving in Iraq.\n\nIf you want military training to be a pilot you have to join the military and serve (8 year for pilots). The training is free and so it is a good way to go. If you are sure you do not want the military but still want to be a pilot like commercial pilot or small craft pilot there are other options.\n\nThe best one is a College I highly Recommend. It is located in Florida and Arizona. It is Embrey Riddle Aeronautical University. We toured the Arizona campus in Prescott. It was fabulous. They even have ROTC (Army and Air Force). I was very impressed and wish my son would have gone there. But he wanted to take the Army scholarship.\nAt E.R.U they told us after you get in later you can apply for all kinds of scholarships. The Tuition is not cheap and the first year you must live on campus but you can work to pay for it. This college is all aeronautics, pilots, mechanics, flight crew etc.\nYou get lots of emphasis on math, science and everything on flying. They give you are well rounded education but they keep it to the aerospace mostly. \nI was so empressed. They teach you to fly airplanes right there and you go out early each morning with an instructor to fly. They have their own field and runway. It is a huge campus. Please check into this one and get there catalog or look online. If you want to be a pilot they will teach you to be the best and they even hook you up with top of the line job offers from the private sect.\nYou can make big money.\n\nRemeber to be a Military Pilot you need Very Good Eyes. Otherwise they can eliminate you immediately. Call a recruiter and they can tell you the sight requirments. Also get your grades up. They look at your academics and wont take a risk to train someone who can not learn. It costs lot of money to train a pilot so they have to make sure you are a good student.\n\nThe Naval Academy and Air Force Academy is quite difficult to get into. You need top notch grades, and be well-rounded (music, sports, politics, activities, school clubs and much more). They only want the best of the best. I would say you need to be ranked in the top 10% of your high school or college class.\n\nDont be discouraged. I do not know your age but if you are chosing a college, please check out Embray Riddle. If you can get in, it will change your life, guaranteed.\n\nAnd remember as long as you are under 21, you can join Civil Air Patrol in your area (they are all over the US) and it can change your life too. I highly recommend it. My son excelled because of this program.\n\nDont ever give up the DREAM to be a pilot. There are many rewards and they are always looking for women.
576350
I joined the Air Force. After basic and once assigned to a permanent party base I was able to take my GED while training as a ground radio repairman. I am now working as a field consultant working towards my MBA.
1142420
I'm thinking about joining soon too.  I found a few good online resources to help me out.  My favorite is military.com.  Check it out:
717761
I was in the Air National Guard and I loved it.  I was also in the Air Force Reserve for a couple of years and didn't like it nearly as much.  My Guard unit was really close-knit and fun, we were like one big family.  We always did well on our inspections because we were such a cohesive unit.  For the people that were surprised the Guard would be activated overseas, I was told by my recruiter in the beginning that the Guard/Air Guard were usually the first to go because of greater mobility.  My unit was activated during Desert Storm, and I certainly wasn't surprised.  When people ask why you joined, just tell them with pride that it's something you love doing for yourself and for your country...and they should thank you for doing it, too.  It always blows my mind when people talk so harshly against military service while they enjoy the comforts of living in this country, and aren't willing to make any sacrifices for it themselves.  If you're not willing to serve in the military yourself, at least have some common sense and decency and don't patronize those of us who do.
996920
Join the Air Force...\n\nAIRBORNE LEADS THE WAY!
492417
You have more opportunities in the Army reserves, but if you ask any one, the Air Force treats their soldiers the best/ closest to civilian. Not only that, but as mentioned above, Army reservists are more likely to be over seas at the current time... Although I have heard rumors of a coming shift from Army to AF and Navy. But honestly I would say it would depend on your MOS preference and if you want an Army style life or an AF style life. Fixed wing aviation related careers, go AF. Rotary or infantry related, go Army. The Army also has more bases from which the guard can opperate than the AF, giving more flexibility for location. Sorry, probably more than you wanted, long story short, it depends. In my opinion, I say AF all the way.
755705
If you're thinking of joining, I'd seriously recommend the Air Force. There's less deployments, better bases, and longer assignments. The Navy will promote more quickly as a rule, but not a guarantee. In the Navy, you can be assured a minimum of 6 months deployment every 2 years. The worst to be expected in the Air Force is 1 year in Korea.
36107
Yes ... there is an Air Force Reserve.\n\nSee site below.
769565
Let's see.  Which service is known for flying in the AIR?\n\nTo become an Air Force pilot, you must have a 4-year college degree.  The 3.5 GPA is in high school or in college?  \n\nIf you are still in high school, congratulations for thinking ahead.  Contact your high school counselor and/or the local Air Force Recruiter.  The Recruiter is the point-of-contact for the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).  They can also direct you to the local contact for the Air Force Academy.\n\nIf you are in college, contact the Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) Recruiter.  They can get you scheduled for the proper tests (physical & mental) to verify qualifications for the Air Force.\n\nThe Air Force Recruiters are required by regulation to make sure each person that comes into their office understands what the highest (most difficult) program that they qualify for.\n\nGood Luck!
1051279
If your intentions are to possibly leaned towards a career I would highly reccommend the choice you have already made. The Air Force is an excellent choice family wise also. If you like to spend months onboard a ship, then by all means join the Navy. If you like walking, marching or bouncing around in a vehicle, join the Army. If you think you are the macho type and enjoy running errands on a ship, plus like to march or strut around like a tin soldier and think your the badest ass in town, go with the Marines. It's as simple as that. There is no such thing as the best, we're all in this together and should act as such. To me there is no single hero, in my personal opinion anyone who puts on a uniform and serves his country (USA)honorably for a full tour of duty in any branch of the services deserves to be called a hero.
774638
Air force. Its the most intellectual branch, and that will help you later in life. The living conditions are 5X that of the army. Think , one bedroom apartment, with a nice fast broadband connection. ;p