Weighing my options, what are your thoughts?

[Hackett27]

Hello everyone,

I am 23, healthy, and up to about a week ago was dead set on joining the AF.

That was until I spoke with some soldiers and actually gave the Army a fair look.

I should start off by saying I was looking into the AF mainly because, for the most part, the deployments or lack therof comparativaley. Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, but if possible I'd like to be close to my 4 month old son (soon to be married, btw).

In 04 I made an 96 on the ASVAB and am confident I can score even higher now.

The AF jobs I was looking at for the most part have identical Army counterparts. Those jobs are: Radiology and Biomedical Equipment Tech.

My questions are:

1.). Asvab score allowing, what are my odds of getting one of my preferred jobs? Or any in the medical field?

2.). What would the deployments most likley be on those jobs?

3.). Anything else I should be aware of or you would like to add?


Thanks for your time.

[Bearstone]

That's a huge amount to ask, and expect answers for, in a single thread. Seriously. My suggestion, and this is based on growing up Army and being in the Air Force for awhile, is this:

Figure out why you want to get into the military in the first place..
Prioritize what you seek to gain by enlisting.
Decide what you are willing to live with and what you are willing to give up.

Every branch will ask something of you, and every branch will take something from you. It's up to you to research which one falls within your "acceptable" ranges.

Having a 4 month old child means, married or not, dealing with child care will be a pain regardless of what branch you go into.

1) ASVAB is a good start, but availability of jobs is what may really hinder your opportunities, and medical is one of those areas that a lot of people are trying to get into. (From what I've heard.) So, that may be difficult, regardless of actual score. Don't let that discourage you if you really want that.
2) Too broad a question. There are too many career fields with differing deployment rates, not to mention how each base/MAJCOM breaks them out. Bank on at least a 6 monthA(AF) / 1 year (Army) deployment every couple of years, if you are trying to ballpark it.
3) Again, too broad.

Try to create a more detailed roadmap plan for yourself, and come back with specific questions. I think that'll help you.

Edit: If anyone in the know thinks any part of my answer is out of line, please correct.

[Hackett27]

I spoke to a recruiter on the phone for some time which yielded me some good answers. I am sorry for my broad first post, I now have some more detailed questions.

1. I've heard by word of mouth that the army is notorious for re-assigning people to different MOS', is there any merit to this?

2. If you are married and have a child, what are the chances of getting BAH?

3. They say there is more opportunity to rank up more quickly in the Army, based on your experience, is this accurate?

[ramrod]

1. Soldiers can get reclassed for failing to meet certain certifications within their MOS. Injuries and certain illnesses can get you reclassed.
2. Married Soldiers get BAH. Single Soldiers w/dependants also draw BAH.
3. You need more than experience to progress in the Army. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage will take you far in the Army.

Good Luck to you and I am happy to hear someone wanting to join the Army instead of the Air Force for a change.

[former31B]

3. They say there is more opportunity to rank up more quickly in the Army, based on your experience, is this accurate?

To add a little bit to the other answer, yes, you likely will get promoted faster in the Army. BUT, rank is of lesser significance in how you are treated in the Air Force compared to the Army. Confused yet?

In the Army, E-4 and below (even E-5s one could argue) are all treated the same...let's just say not as well as a similarly ranked Airman. However, depending on your MOS, you can go from E-1 to E-6 in six years, which is virtually unheard of in the Air Force.

[Hackett27]

Thanks for the info, everyone. I am hoping to get an MOS in the Medical branch but I'm hearing those rarely come availible as of late.

From what I understand the Army is undermanned, is this not correct?

I meet with the recruiter next Wednesday.

[ramrod]

The Army is expanding so your chances of getting a medical MOS is pretty good.

[Michaep]

GO....AIR....FORCE......

AF=Quality of life standards

AF=have more say at a lower rank

AF=better bases

Your choice....choose wisely

If you LOVE...LOVE......LOOOOOOVE running then def. go Army

[RUSTMIKE]

Something to keep in mind. Each Fiscal year the Army determines schooling dates based on the number of Soldiers each MOS will need to train in order to maintain balance. Right now we are in summer. Which does have something to do with the availability of medical jobs. Highschool students that have just graduated have been taking those slots all year. If you are not in school the Army likes to look to ship you to basic with in 2-4 weeks of enlistment. So just because the job training for the job you are looking for isn't available now doesn't mean that it wont be available in the near future (couple of months).

[ramrod]

MichaeP....WTF does having better bases have to do with making a choice between Army and Air Force? Have more say at a lower rank? WTF ever.

Sorry, I don't have the best bandwidth in country or I could use the 'quote' button.

[Master Tanker]

Hackett, this decision making process between the USAF and other mil. Services has existed since the two exist side by side. Most recruits try the USAF first & if they failed, they go for the others. It's an old hat. Why? The USAF has the reputation of being plush and 'undangerous', sort of 8 to 5. Furthermore, many of the USAF technical jobs can be applied to civilian life. Because human nature is to do the least for the most success, the USAF is most attractive. But, when one looks behind the curtain, things are not that rosy (I was 4yrs. USAF and 16 Army; look at my profile). Promotions are slower than in the Army or Marines. Example: A SSGT USAF is an E5, a SSG (Army) is an E6. a TSGT USAF (5 Stripes) is an E6, a SFC Army (5Stripes) is an E7 which is a Senior NCO. Furthermore, the USAF has a distinct class system. If you aren't a pilot or at least on really truly flying status (they cheat a lot on that), you are in 2nd or 3rd class. This is not so in the Army. There, at least in combat arms, you fight together, Officers, NCOS and EM ( dependent on the leadership unfortunately, but most of the time that is true). So make up your own mind where you want to belong.

[JStatus330]

Here is my opinion being prior Air Force gone Army. This is all depending on what you want. I say go Air Force.

Air Force has better bases and quality of life. Just don't go Security Forces, it's the worst job in the Air Force and you will hate your life and the Air Force.

The Army is not near as bad as other branches make it seem. I'm Human Resources and although I work more hours than I anticipated I do like my job. The Army PT from my experience is harder. I've done PT almost every single weekday, aside from the occasional rainy morning where we got sent home. In the Air Force as Security Forces we barely did PT, and other AFSC's I heard barely do PT either. The Air Force PT test is a lot easier than the Army's PT test as I've done comparisons.

If you don't want to be deployed and want the easiest military lifestyle, Coast Guard is easily the way to go. No deployments, all stateside bases. If you want the next best thing to that, Air Force and Navy. If you want to travel the most of all branchs, Navy.

[silkywilky]

MichaeP....WTF does having better bases have to do with making a choice between Army and Air Force? Have more say at a lower rank? WTF ever.

Sorry, I don't have the best bandwidth in country or I could use the 'quote' button.

How long have you been in the army? Every branch has their goods and bads.
What better bases has to do with it is the fact that is one really enjoys traveling, then the air force is a bette roption. A ggod example, in the army, what are the likely chances of being able to get a assignment to Japan? Very very slim for the army but not so for the air force. Or how about Italy? In the army, unless you are in a airborne unit and them means ariborne qualified as well, you can preety much forget going to Italy, extremely slim chance.

And before you ask, yes I have served in the army with 2 , almost back to back deployments to Iraq.

[silkywilky]

Here is my opinion being prior Air Force gone Army. This is all depending on what you want. I say go Air Force.

Air Force has better bases and quality of life. Just don't go Security Forces, it's the worst job in the Air Force and you will hate your life and the Air Force.

The Army is not near as bad as other branches make it seem. I'm Human Resources and although I work more hours than I anticipated I do like my job. The Army PT from my experience is harder. I've done PT almost every single weekday, aside from the occasional rainy morning where we got sent home. In the Air Force as Security Forces we barely did PT, and other AFSC's I heard barely do PT either. The Air Force PT test is a lot easier than the Army's PT test as I've done comparisons.

If you don't want to be deployed and want the easiest military lifestyle, Coast Guard is easily the way to go. No deployments, all stateside bases. If you want the next best thing to that, Air Force and Navy. If you want to travel the most of all branchs, Navy.

Just wanted to ask you a question. You mentioned about air force security forces being the worst job. If you don't mind my asking , if you could eleborate on that some more. I am trying for the air force after having served in the army for 7 years, in my opinon I have hated the 'organized PT' and that is not due to being lazy. I love to work out but the organized pT some units do is jsut soo riducilous and , needs change. Every branch has its goods and bads, I have had some bad expierences in the army, worst expierence is I think in my attempt to seperate honorable from the service without having to be forciable held back for a another deployment.

I'm not ashamed of having served but for me, the army is not the best place to serve.