Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

[dakk1]

My 23 year old daughter will graduate summa cum laude with a degree in political science at the end of this month. She has been accepted to law school beginning in August. Problem is her heart is not really in it. She "thinks" she wants to join the Air Force. She has talked about it since she was 14. I can't give her any meaningful advice since I have never been in the service. I just want her to be happy. Any thoughts from current or retired Air Force personnel. Or, anyone else for that matter.<br /><br />Dave

 

[tommays]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

My SIL and BIL are both retired Air Force and loved it<br /><br />Both have now moved on to good civilan jobs after 20 years<br /><br /><br />There were some issues for both with long remote assignments which was a BIG reason for there retirement<br /><br />tommays

 

[Chief101]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

She could do a lot worse, in fact law school without your heart into it is one of those careers that is far worse. Just a humble opinion. Chief Chief

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

most branches of service have a legal dept, she could join and get a law degree.<br />with a degree she most likly can join as an officer.<br />it can be very rewarding or a nightmare, depends on the attitude.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

The Air Force may very well be willing to pay for law school.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

All I can say is I wish I would have stayed in (Naval Air) years ago and at this time in my life I would be retired and fishing every day! I spent 4 years in and hardley a day goes by that I don't wish I would have stayed until retirement.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

If my kid decided on a career as a lawyer, I would make arrangements for her to meet face to face with retired lawyers and/or judges and have her ask them just one question; what is wrong with the legal profession today? Retired lawyers/judges no longer need to maintain their business relationships and tend to be very vocal about how corrupt the legal system is in America. They love the profession but want to see it changed, can offer a realistic view of what she should expect. The corruption itself is not a reason to avoid a career as a lawyer, but I think it important for her to have that realistic understanding she is choosing a career that amounts to swimming in a cesspool, and will she have what it takes to keep her head above the $#!+ ???<br /><br />Oh, and just ignore my sig below.

 

[JB]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

1. People should do what they enjoy. I know nobody who was successful at a career they didn't like.<br /><br />2. Summa Cum Laude makes her a 5 star prize for any employer, particularly the US Government. The USAF has plenty of great assignments and plenty of paid education programs for political science majors. But. . . I would bet that is not her vision of being in the Air Force.<br /><br />Downside? Very bright people are often frustrated by the way our military operates. The "system" is designed and operated to accomodate the least common denominator.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

Have her check with the officer recruiters. I will bet that they will pay for most of law school.<br /><br />I am retired Army and any branch of the military is an excellant choice. Even if it is not for a career status leading to retirement you can not beat the experience!

 

[bull island dave]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

Worked for me. I retired from the AF in 2002 and now I drive a school bus in the morning and can be out fishing by 9:30. I also get to make up for lost time with my wife and kids.<br /><br />It was also a great life for my family. I say let her go for it. <br /><br />Air National Guard may also be an option. Some states have 100% tuition assistance so she can go to school while serving.<br /><br />Dave

 

[KaGee]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

18rabbitbut I think it important for her to have that realistic understanding she is choosing a career that amounts to swimming in a cesspool

I agree.<br />Very tough to swim in a cesspool and not become contaminated.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

Wow!!<br />How ironic is it that this question gets asked on the day I celebrated my 20 years in the Air Force (in the desert).<br />I joined June 12, 1986 at the age of 17. I do not regret the choice. I joined enlisted and never would have made a good officer. I can play the politics game, but not to the extent required to make it to the top in the officer world.<br /><br />With a degree, she can join as an officer or enlisted and get two stripes to start with. If she has a good head on her shoulders and can put up with a beauracratic (sp) bull$#@$, join as an officer. In 3-4 years she will make more per paycheck than I do now after 20 years.<br /><br />The USAF right now will pay a good amount towards tuition. I think it might be different amounts for officers and enlisted. However, it is still a good deal.<br /><br />I agree with the above statements. Doing something because it will pay well, but hating it is not a good choice.<br />Talk to the recruiters and drill them with questions. Don't accept it as fact unless it is in writing!! <br /><br />I wish her good luck.<br /><br />AKChappy

 

[Link]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

I agree with JB but would like to add that your daughter can go directly into ANY branch of the service right now as an Officer with a four year degree.<br /><br />The Military will be very up front about this but<br />WARNING for every X number of months or years they pay for you to go to school they expect X number of months/years of service to pay them back. <br /><br />Example: One of my sister inlaws went through college in ROTC. Then the Airforce paid for her to get a degree in Engineering.<br /><br />In her case she had two bills to pay at this time.<br />(your daughter would have only one)<br /><br />First the ROTC as the military helped pay for college, then for the engineering degree.<br /><br />By the time she had put in enough years to pay back for the schooling she had become bored being a engineer, so she put in for medical school to become a doctor.<br /><br />She had just made the rank of Major (05) when she did this. A magic rank for officers. If you make 05 and have enough time in service to be passed over 3 times for 06 you can still retire at 20 years. Doesn't always happen. <br /><br />If you want more information just email me.<br />We live two minutes from McChord Airforce base and 10 minutes from Ft Lewis. I can get you up to date information for your daughter. <br /><br />Link

 

[Link]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

 

[ztim]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

I would support her if joining the Air Force. Let them pay for further schooling if she wants. If not, that would be cool, too. The twenty will fly by. <br /><br />The Air Force, or any branch for that matter, has a good web site. Just use the name in a search and you will be taken right to it. Also, if she does let the AF pay for some schooling, she will be requred to spend an X amount of time for it. Not a bad trade though.<br /><br />Do not be put off about all the negative stuff about lawyers. There is a bunch of good stuff, but I can't think of any right now.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

Originally posted by JB:<br /> 1. People should do what they enjoy. I know nobody who was successful at a career they didn't like.

That’s what Dr. Birkman was all about. Anyone, kid or adult that is considering any career should start by taking the Birkman test and having it professionally analyzed.<br /><br />There are two things that should never be used as criterion when considering a career; (a) the money you will make, and (b) the hours you will work. Allowing either of those to influence a career choice can lead to disaster, misery in a career.

 

[ztim]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

Yes, testing and aptitude are done for enlistees to match them with a job area to choose from. Numbered test scores are matched with a list of jobs that person is qualified for.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

No, Birkman tests a person’s personality for stressors; those events and items that cause stress to a person. Then careers with the least number of stressors are evaluated. The idea being exactly what JB said; people with stress on the job aren’t happy, can’t be successful. Reduce the stress, make a person happy, make a successful career. It works!<br /><br />Ironically considering your suggestion, Birkman was hired by the defense dept after WWII to develop a test to help direct young men coming out of the service into potential career paths. The military wanted people pointed in one of four directions. Birkman interviewed successful people in all kinds of occupations to develop his list of stressors, had about 10 diff job clusters.<br /><br />Aptitude testing can end up placing a person in a job with incompatible stressors. The person will hate it, even though they have an ‘aptitude’ for it. Obviously a person shouldn’t be in a job they can’t do. That’s why I suggested a professional evaluation of the Birkman testing results. A pro can help a person widdle down the careers in a Birkman job cluster to find an ideal fit of continuing educational goals, physical location to live in, and aptitude. It could well be the best place to be is in the military. Could also be a person’s individual stressors are incompatible with the military.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

great choice, but i'd push her towards the Navy and not the Air Farce <br /><br />just make sure she doesn't walk into a recruiter's office. they'll convince her to enlist, some recruiters don't care about background, they just want quota numbers.<br /><br />she should talk with an officer recruiter. she should be headed to ocs, regardless of what community she goes to.

 

[Gail Wrede]

Re: Any thoughts on an Air Force career?

All branches have legal departments check then all out. Should you find one that you might like to follow, talk to the Officer Recruiter to arrange visit the legal office to spend some time (OJT) so to speak. This will give her a chance to get an idea of what to expect. Career Planning was what I was doing when I retired,USMC.