Thinking about joining the USAF

[Vanguard]

Hey guys, first post on here and wanted to make it count.

I am currently a college student at a major university majoring in International Relations with Minors in Economics and Political Science. I am thinking about joining the AFROTC, as I have always been a fan of the Air Force, and fancy the idea (along with considering it a great honor) of having a career as an Officer when I graduate. I had a few questions for you guys if you don't mind answering.

1. I've done research and have been interested in the following areas: Security Forces, Intelligence, Foreign Area Officer, International Politico-Military Affairs Officer, or perhaps Air Force Operations Staff Officer. I am fluent in English, Spanish (I am a Cuban-American), and am learning Russian (with hopes of one day learning Serbo-Croatian after Russian). Needless to say that I am not particularly interested in the aviat

I was wondering what daily life as an officer in the Security Forces is like. Daily life/suggestions for the others listed would be great as well.

2. As far as graduating and becoming an officer, are you given a choice of a few bases you would like to be stationed at or do they assign you wherever they want/need you (or both).

3. I currently have a fiance and we will be married by the time I graduate college. Will she be able to move to the base with me? Further, she is also acquiring her college degree (she wants to be a teacher or engineer), but doesn't want to join the Service. Will there be non-Military jobs on the base for her as well?

These three questions have been on my mind lately and haven't been answered and it would be much appreciated if you honorable men and women would be able to do so.

Thank you so much in advance.

[Seasons]

Hey guys, first post on here and wanted to make it count.

I am currently a college student at a major university majoring in International Relations with Minors in Economics and Political Science. I am thinking about joining the AFROTC, as I have always been a fan of the Air Force, and fancy the idea (along with considering it a great honor) of having a career as an Officer when I graduate. I had a few questions for you guys if you don't mind answering.
Well, welcome to the forums! As an AFROTC grad I think you're going the right route. Just remember to tough it out.


1. I've done research and have been interested in the following areas: Security Forces, Intelligence, Foreign Area Officer, International Politico-Military Affairs Officer, or perhaps Air Force Operations Staff Officer. I am fluent in English, Spanish (I am a Cuban-American), and am learning Russian (with hopes of one day learning Serbo-Croatian after Russian). Needless to say that I am not particularly interested in the aviat
Those are all good fields. My guess is you'd be most likely qualified for Intel, FAO, or IPMAO. You could also go ABM or Linguist, but Russian is unfortunately a cat II language, not cat I.


I was wondering what daily life as an officer in the Security Forces is like. Daily life/suggestions for the others listed would be great as well.
I'll have to let someone else answer this, as I'm a researcher.


2. As far as graduating and becoming an officer, are you given a choice of a few bases you would like to be stationed at or do they assign you wherever they want/need you (or both).
You get a list of bases based upon the AFSCs you put in for. Generally you have to pick 8 bases. I had 10 to pick from, heh.


3. I currently have a fiance and we will be married by the time I graduate college. Will she be able to move to the base with me? Further, she is also acquiring her college degree (she wants to be a teacher or engineer), but doesn't want to join the Service. Will there be non-Military jobs on the base for her as well?
So long as you update DEERs and your paperwork, she should be able to move with you just fine. You might even qualify for DLA. There's also plenty of civilian work on base, if she doesn't mind services. Anything else is base dependent.

[LOAL-D]

Don't do it! Naw, just kidding, if you are a real smart fellow get into intel.....

[Vanguard]

Well, welcome to the forums! As an AFROTC grad I think you're going the right route. Just remember to tough it out.
Thanks a lot! And thank you for the advice.


Those are all good fields. My guess is you'd be most likely qualified for Intel, FAO, or IPMAO. You could also go ABM or Linguist, but Russian is unfortunately a cat II language, not cat I.
Well, as you can probably tell by my major, I have a strong interest in International Relations. Any insight on how the work/daily life of a FAO, Intel, or IPMAO will be like? Also, how competetitive are those positions?


I'll have to let someone else answer this, as I'm a researcher.
I've always had two dreams.

First - Join the United States military as an Officer, preferably the Air Force.

Second - Work for the CIA as an Analyst (Preferably a Russian Analyst).

Then I came to realize that I can do both in order! I can probably join the CIA fresh out of college if I get the Internships but I understand that former Military men and women have a great chance of getting into it as well. So decided to take the route of Air Force and then perhaps CIA after a few years in the service (that is... if I want to move on of course). As a researcher, what exactly do you do and what is your job title? I am very much interested in hearing about that.


You get a list of bases based upon the AFSCs you put in for. Generally you have to pick 8 bases. I had 10 to pick from, heh.
Thank you for that information. Do you know of any websites that list the Air Force bases outside of the United States? Perhaps in Europe (Eastern Europe preferably)? I've looked up online and cannot really find anything.


So long as you update DEERs and your paperwork, she should be able to move with you just fine. You might even qualify for DLA. There's also plenty of civilian work on base, if she doesn't mind services. Anything else is base dependent.
Well she will be happy to hear that! One thing I love about the Air Force is that its very family friendly, or so I have been told. This statement clarifies it. Would teaching be considered a civilian job often found on Air Force bases?

Once again, thank you for your answers, they have helped a lot.

[fufu]

Don't. Do. It.

[Vanguard]

Don't. Do. It.

Why do you say that?

[fufu]

You sound far too intelligent to put up with the stupid rules. If I wasn't stuck, I wouldn't reenlist. There are far too many rules in place for the sake of rules being in place. You should be able to get a good job, making great money and never have to deploy or spend long periods away from your family.

[Vanguard]

You sound far too intelligent to put up with the stupid rules. If I wasn't stuck, I wouldn't reenlist. There are far too many rules in place for the sake of rules being in place. You should be able to get a good job, making great money and never have to deploy or spend long periods away from your family.

Well thank you for the compliment. I must ask though, what stupid rules are there? Also, a big reason why I am doing this is so I can secure a good job making great money with the CIA/DIA/NSA. I will make the decision to continue in the Air Force or not after my 4 years or so are up.

[fufu]

400+ replies.

http://www.militarytimes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1576520&highlight=stupid+rules

[BENDER56]

I've been in 24+ years and they're going to have to drag me out kicking and screaming. I've traveled all over the world and experienced things I never would have had I not joined. There are lots of people on this forum (including me, occasionally) who bitch & moan about things they don't like about the AF. But 90% of those gripes are about things that are no different in the civilian workplace.

I've talked to quite a few people who punched out in the late'90s/early'00s who wish they had stayed in. They're doing OK, but they miss the sense of belonging to something that's bigger than themselves. They say things like, "you're just a cog in a wheel" or, "no one cares about you" or "it's just a paycheck". That's life for most people in the civilian sector. But in the AF, at least we know we're part of an organization that's helping to ensure the safety and security of Americans (even if their greatest sacrifice is to affix a yellow ribbon magnet on their SUV.)

There's an old saying: "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". That could be said for the non-tangible benefits we enjoy in the military. We toss around terms like "camaraderie" or "esprit de corps" as if we know what they mean. Most of us serving in the military have no clue what they mean because we joined right out of HS/college and we have nothing to compare them to. We've taken them for granted our whole time in. Talk to someone who got out and see what they have to say about the lack of camaraderie and esprit de corps in their lives.

Go for it and don't look back.

[BRUWIN]

Well thank you for the compliment. I must ask though, what stupid rules are there? Also, a big reason why I am doing this is so I can seceure a good job making great money with the CIA/DIA/NSA. I will make the decision to continue in the Air Force or not after my 4 years or so are up.

Becoming an intel officer would greatly aid in you eventually landing a job with the DIA/CIA or NSA. For one...once you've got a Top Secret security clearence from the Air Force it carries over to any civilian job you may need it for. Intel Agencies or Defense contractors jump on the chance to hire an applicant that already has the Top Secret clearance. Why? Because it can be a long wait to get one, and civilian agencies/contractors aren't willing to pay someone while they sit around waiting for a security clearence. It's also expensive. Once you get one there will be five year updates required that the company has to pay for, but at least they didn't have to pay for the first one.

You have the educational backgroud to become an intel officer, you should do it. The Lniguist career field falls under intel and requires a Top Secret clearance as well. PM me if you want more info.

[Capt Alfredo]

Those are all good fields. My guess is you'd be most likely qualified for Intel, FAO, or IPMAO. You could also go ABM or Linguist, but Russian is unfortunately a cat II language, not cat I.


LInguist is an enlisted specialty only. FAO no longer exists and has been replaced by the RAS. You must have 7-12 years' commissioned service to be selected for RAS development. POL-MIL officer is pretty much the same. Straight out of college, this guy is probably best suited for the Intelligence Officer career field.



You get a list of bases based upon the AFSCs you put in for. Generally you have to pick 8 bases. I had 10 to pick from, heh.

Depends on what AFSC you get as to how this works.

[Seasons]

Well, as you can probably tell by my major, I have a strong interest in International Relations. Any insight on how the work/daily life of a FAO, Intel, or IPMAO will be like? Also, how competetitive are those positions?

Unfortunately I don't know any of those positions very well.

As a researcher, what exactly do you do and what is your job title? I am very much interested in hearing about that.
While not classified, it is still NOFORN. Since this is a public arena I can't say.


Thank you for that information. Do you know of any websites that list the Air Force bases outside of the United States? Perhaps in Europe (Eastern Europe preferably)? I've looked up online and cannot really find anything.
There are many, but your AFSC is going to determine where you can go. I know my AFSC (62E) has a 1% overseas assignment rate.

Well she will be happy to hear that! One thing I love about the Air Force is that its very family friendly, or so I have been told. This statement clarifies it. Would teaching be considered a civilian job often found on Air Force bases?

I'm afraid I don't know what teaching she could do, unless the base has a school on it. Then again, they'd likely hire locals, but you'd have to check it out.

[Seasons]

LInguist is an enlisted specialty only. FAO no longer exists and has been replaced by the RAS. You must have 7-12 years' commissioned service to be selected for RAS development. POL-MIL officer is pretty much the same. Straight out of college, this guy is probably best suited for the Intelligence Officer career field.

I'd forgotten Linguist was enlisted only. Probably cause a friend of mine was Linguist going ABM via OTS. Met him in ASBC last year.

[Capt Alfredo]

While not classified, it is still NOFORN. Since this is a public arena I can't say.



There's a security marking I've never seen: UNCLASSIFIED//NOFORN

Sound a little odd to me, Mr. Wizard. I'm guessing the specifics of your job may be classified, but there has to be a generic mission statement or whatever that goes on your OPR...:eek:

[BRUWIN]

There's a security marking I've never seen: UNCLASSIFIED//NOFORN

:

Hey Capt...you're intel officer aren't you? Maybe you can rope the newcomer in. Save all the WICC-T explanations until after he signs the dotted line.

[Vanguard]

Yes I would be very much interested in learning about what Intelligence Officers actually do and how their daily life is.

[Seasons]

There's a security marking I've never seen: UNCLASSIFIED//NOFORN

Sound a little odd to me, Mr. Wizard. I'm guessing the specifics of your job may be classified, but there has to be a generic mission statement or whatever that goes on your OPR...:eek:

FOUO Distribution D, NOFORN. I can't recall the generic statement, my OPR was a few months ago. I received a 20+ page TPP and a lecture from the chief scientist about the NOFORN part.

But you're right, my job title isn't. Signature Exploitation Software Engineer.

[Vanguard]

I've also noticed no one has suggested Security Forces. Any reason why?

[Seasons]

I've also noticed no one has suggested Security Forces. Any reason why?

As I understand it, there aren't a lot of security forces officers, making it slightly more difficult. Anyone know better?

[ConfusedAirman]

Hey guys, first post on here and wanted to make it count.

I am currently a college student at a major university majoring in International Relations with Minors in Economics and Political Science. I am thinking about joining the AFROTC, as I have always been a fan of the Air Force, and fancy the idea (along with considering it a great honor) of having a career as an Officer when I graduate.

How far along in school are you? Do you need AFROTC to pay for college? If not, think hard about AFROTC as you will be locked into an AF commitment when finished. If you don't need the money, consider waiting until graduation to decide if you want to go Air Force or take a job in the civilian world.

[AFblue2]

Security Forces does not have many officer positions. The huge mission bases like PRP may but your typical AF Security Forces unit does not. You'll have your commander, your operations officer and maybe a LT or 2 thats bout it.

[Vanguard]

How far along in school are you? Do you need AFROTC to pay for college? If not, think hard about AFROTC as you will be locked into an AF commitment when finished. If you don't need the money, consider waiting until graduation to decide if you want to go Air Force or take a job in the civilian world.

I am currently a Sophomore in college going to school on federal loans. I come from an Immigrant family (though born in the United States myself) and my parents never went to college (they were too old and needed jobs), but I am of the lower middle class (also oldest of 4). So money is tight for my family and I did not get any scholarships for college and am going to school on federal loans, so yes money/help with loans would be a big help. I understand that AFROTC offers scholarships in the 3rd and 4th year once you are committed. Since I am a sophomore, I was told I just have to take a little bit more class to catch up, but they are 1 credit courses so it shouldn't be too bad.

I am aware that I don't have to do AFROTC and can go to AF OTS after I get my 4 year degree, but I heard it is very competitive to get into. Also, if I do AFROTC I have some time to see what the AF is like before I have to commit, so I can see first hand and talk to men and women of the Air Force and make a decision of whether this is something I want to do for 4 years (or however long I sign up for), or not.

Security Forces does not have many officer positions. The huge mission bases like PRP may but your typical AF Security Forces unit does not. You'll have your commander, your operations officer and maybe a LT or 2 thats bout it.
Ah ok now that makes sense. So I guess Intelligence would be best for me. How competitive is it to get into the intelligence field? Also what does their daily work/life consist of? A friend of mine is a Platoon Sergeant in the Marines and he told me that the Marine Intelligence has operatives stationed on a base and they are flown in by helicopters to speak with captured enemies or locals. Is this how the Air Force Intelligence operates or is it more of an analyst job that you work with a team in a conference room or what not? Basically, is it field work or office work?

[Nickymaz]

I
Ah ok now that makes sense. So I guess Intelligence would be best for me. How competitive is it to get into the intelligence field? Also what does their daily work/life consist of? A friend of mine is a Platoon Sergeant in the Marines and he told me that the Marine Intelligence has operatives stationed on a base and they are flown in by helicopters to speak with captured enemies or locals. Is this how the Air Force Intelligence operates or is it more of an analyst job that you work with a team in a conference room or what not? Basically, is it field work or office work?

it is not tough to get into intel (I am an intel officer btw). Judging from your educational background you should be fine. Intel is one of those fields that wont be going away any time soon.

For the most part AF Intel works in office settings. Because we work with classified info and computer systems we need to keep it secure so that means we usually end up in a "window-less building" on base. Jobs can vary depending if you are working on a unit level (like supporting a flying squadron or OSS), a headquarters (like an AOC or MAJCOM HQ), a DCGS, or an intelligence squadron. So depending on where you go you could be giving threat/current intel briefings to pilots, flying on an RC-135, or managing ISR ops.

You could end up doing something like your Marine friend mentioned on a deployment. I returned earlier in the year from 6 months in Iraq with the Army and I had to do a month of combat skills training before hand. But even everything was office work, I had to use a computer to write my reports etc.

Anyway, I really like intel. As an officer you can go into any field of intel, you are a jack of all-trades essentially. You will receive specialized training when you report to your unit.

Feel free to shoot me a message if you have any other questions.

[technomage1]

SFS is mostly enlisted now, it really would not be a good choice for you for many reasons.

You can get information on bases at http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/. Click on installations on the left menu bar. It will depend on which job you pick where there are openings for you to go. If you talk to the recruiter they should be able to pull up a listing of authorized positions at each base.

Best of luck to you.

[MajesticThunder]

Follow your dreams!

;) Two best AF options to start your journey:

14N - INTELLIGENCE


71S - SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS

http://www.osi.andrews.af.mil/

[Slap]

OTS is pretty selective these days so your best bet is AFROTC