Hey

Right now I'm a sophmore in college. I plan on doing ROTC next semester to become commissioned as an officer when I graduate. I'm looking into the Army and the Air Force. No offense to the Navy or the Marine Corp. I have heard nothing but good things about the Air Force, their quality of life, and how the treat their own so I am leaning towards them. With the Army, the comments from friends, those who have served with soldiers, and former soldiers have been split on their opinion of the Army. Just like any other big organization I know there's bad apples and good ones so I know it just depends. However, in the Army advancement opportunities for an officer is alot better compared to the Air Force which is alot slower. The main thing is what is best fit for me. Family is number one for me. I exercise 2-3 times a week, am a hardworker, and not sure if I want to be a career officer. Please give me some insight (especially soldiers and airmen)and say what do you think would be best for me. Thanks.

It depends on what you want to do once you join. Look at as additional training in a specific area or maybe management and leadership training. Also, "alot?"

I've been looking into the same issue myself, and although I will probably get a lot of criticism for saying this here... I'll say it anyway. Air Force casualty and injury rates are a lot lower in the Air Force than they are in the Army... Theres been something like 1600 army casualties compared to under 50 Air Force. Theres been something like 15k soldiers injured compared to around 300 airman in this war. It might not be a factor your too concerned about, but it is for me.

Another problem that you may run into is that finding the job you want in the Air Force may be much more difficult because as opposed to the Army, they don't need people quite as badly.

quote:

Originally posted by Josh601:
I've been looking into the same issue myself, and although I will probably get a lot of criticism for saying this here... I'll say it anyway. Air Force casualty and injury rates are a lot lower in the Air Force than they are in the Army... Theres been something like 1600 army casualties compared to under 50 Air Force. Theres been something like 15k soldiers injured compared to around 300 airman in this war. It might not be a factor your too concerned about, but it is for me.

Another problem that you may run into is that finding the job you want in the Air Force may be much more difficult because as opposed to the Army, they don't need people quite as badly.

Having said that, if you are joining the Air Force in the hopes of not deploying than you will probably be disappointed. The Air Force is in the process of kicking out a bunch of people and they are looking strongly on NCO's and officers who have been in for some time but have not deployed. They are also getting rid of all the cozy jobs and contracting those out.

Also, you may not travel as much as you think. The AF has raised the required time on station for career airman from 2 years to four years and for first-term airman from 1 year to 2 years. Which means you wont be eligible to PCS until you reach your respective mark and even then you may not ever leave your first base. We have a TSgt who, apart from a year in Korea, has not left his current duty station even though he puts in for orders every chance he gets.

As for Behind Fences, if you do not plan on making the military a career than make sure you join with a plan and goals. Make sure you take advantage of all the education benefits and get as many degrees as you can. On the other hand, join with an open mind. Right now you may not think that the military is for you but once your in you may find you like it.

hmmmm, sounds like 'Hey I want to be in the military, but I don't want to place myself into harms way!'

Joining by basing your selection on casualty rates, stay a civvie.

quote:

Originally posted by thegunny:
hmmmm, sounds like 'Hey I want to be in the military, but I don't want to place myself into harms way!'

Joining by basing your selection on casualty rates, stay a civvie.

Thus the reason I said I'd get criticism for saying that.

Keep in mind your post in no way shape or form helped the original poster, and was only intended on bashing me. Keep that in mind the next time you reply to a thread with someone asking for help.

Oh btw Behind Fences. thegunny is a typical marine, cocky aragant well.... I could say more, but I'm not going to.

Oh btw, if you wish to bash me any more, I'm currently torn between becoming a sailer or an airman, mainly for the travel benefits and chance to improve my current lifestyle.

Coincidently thank you for that information Commie, it will do me some good.

Joh601 I said you learn fast but you better spell Marine starting with a capital letter M

Hmmm, cocky and arrogant? Damn skippy! You want to serve? great. You do realise that the military's primary purpose is to wage war? Or hasn't that crossed your mind yet?

I see no reason to help guide someone into a cushy desk job when we have service members out there dying everyday.

Thanks everyone for putting in their two cents. After I last posted I have come to the conclusion that the Air Force would be a beteer fit for me. I'm not exactly sure what I want to do, but I'm going to enter a field that I can use in the civilian side of the house. I just want to be prepared just in case for whatever reason I can't serve anymore. (disqualifying injury for example)It only makes sense.

Casuality rates is a factor to me as well. It doesn't deter me, but it is something that I take into consideration. I don't fear being deployed and will most likely request it when the time comes. So Josh601 I understand where you're coming from. Also, you were right about the bashing.lol.

thegunny, you seem like a cool guy. I see your posts a lot and usually agree. The truth is that not everyone joins for the patirotic reasons. Some only join for the benefits or see the military as a financial fix and solely for that. Yes, there are many who do join to fight for our country, but everyone is different. As long as they do their job, are professional, and follow orders there reasons for joining don't matter. Also, not every service member is a fighter, in fact most aren't. Those desk jobs provide the logistic supports to make war happen. A Marine needs more ammo and food to stay out givin em' hell, lol. Everyone has a role. That is my opinion.

(I hope more people will respond to the initial post, we got off track)

yeah....I tend to do that sometimes

Reckon my attitude comes from 'Every Marine is a Rifleman' and it just chaps my ass to see those that only want to serve in the rear with the gear. We have them in the Corps, but the Commandant recently told all his Marines, that if you haven't been deployed to the combat zone, to go ahead and pack yer trash cuz your going!

People should be weary of joining the service if they think heading the rear is okay...irritates me.

Was the Commadant speaking to Marines in all MOS's or only those in Combat Arms?

Never start an argument with a marine, cuz he'll always be right. And if its not over the internet...he'll just knock you out.

who you talkin to proZach?

Well, his callsign is "proZach", maybe just the voices in his head!

To answer "behind fences"-- it's ALL Marines, regardless of MOS, will deploy to a combat zone (at least that's the plan).

As far as the original post....judging just by the short bit of conversation here, I'd say, yeah, I think the USAF is for you.

haha, thanks patoloco.

quote:

Originally posted by behind fences:
who you talkin to proZach?

It was directed towards thegunny but it could be for any marine. I like the sarcasm patoloco, haha