Schools Joining the air force reserves vs. borrowing money for college loans

[Benzoate]

I am thinking about joining the air force reserves while continuing to attend college because I am no longer able to borrow money for college. I think the air force would be beneficial for me because I think it would be the perfect opportunity for me to developed my research skills in the Air force and I could put my physics education to use while helping me pay for my college loans. I 'd like a second opinion about joining the air force reserves while attending college. I would like anybody who has worked for the reserves to share their experiences and share some research experiences you might've had while in the airforce reserves

 

[Poop-Loops]

I had an idea to do that, but this was during college and would have interfered with my classes, since I'd need a 13 week break (after boot camp) to get training, really screwing everything up.

The work is nice, but you have to at some point serve I believe a year or two full time, also.

So long story short, get ALL of the information available to you, since there might be snags that you don't learn about until after you sign the dotted line.

 

[PowerIso]

If you plan to do it, find out everything you can. Do not let the recruiter put ideas out there. Make sure he is telling you the whole truth. I learned from my time in the military that you should make agreements with the government on your own terms. They need you for one reason or another. Make sure you know that and make sure you verify everything they say from people who are in the air force and from secondary sources.

I know plenty fellow marines who were told their college would be free, which is true, but if you do not serve your full length for whatever reason, you end up owing the government money.

I'm a wounded veteran and it took many phone calls and months of hard work to finally convince them that I still deserved my college money. It's a pain, so make sure you are certain the military is something you can handle.

 

[mgiddy911]

It may go without saying but be especially careful these days. Even being in the reserve can mean much more than you may expect due to current circumstances in the world.

 

[Jordan Joab]

I am thinking about joining the air force reserves while continuing to attend college because I am no longer able to borrow money for college. I think the air force would be beneficial for me because I think it would be the perfect opportunity for me to developed my research skills in the Air force and I could put my physics education to use while helping me pay for my college loans. I 'd like a second opinion about joining the air force reserves while attending college. I would like anybody who has worked for the reserves to share their experiences and share some research experiences you might've had while in the airforce reserves

If your interest is a military career, I'd recommend getting your bachelor first and then apply for the Officer School. The majority of AF jobs are technical in nature and don't lend themselves to much research.

If you just want to join now, you'll be entering as enlisted. Normally, enlisted personnel take a test called the ASVAB. This test measures your Administrative, General, Electrical, and Mechanical skills. The higher you score in each of these categories the "better" the job you can get (and there's little room for research in many of these jobs - you do as you are told).

Like I mentioned previously, I recommend getting your degree first. This is unfortunate to say, but a degree-holding person has more value to the military than your average HS diploma kid.



Jordan Joab.

 

[Benzoate]

If your interest is a military career, I'd recommend getting your bachelor first and then apply for the Officer School. The majority of AF jobs are technical in nature and don't lend themselves to much research.

If you just want to join now, you'll be entering as enlisted. Normally, enlisted personnel take a test called the ASVAB. This test measures your Administrative, General, Electrical, and Mechanical skills. The higher you score in each of these categories the "better" the job you can get (and there's little room for research in many of these jobs - you do as you are told).

Like I mentioned previously, I recommend getting your degree first. This is unfortunate to say, but a degree-holding person has more value to the military than your average HS diploma kid.



Jordan Joab.

I'm not interested in a joining the reserves to have a career in the air forces. I want to join the reserves so they can pay for my college tuition , oh and uh to serve my country .

 

[Benzoate]

If your interest is a military career, I'd recommend getting your bachelor first and then apply for the Officer School. The majority of AF jobs are technical in nature and don't lend themselves to much research.

If you just want to join now, you'll be entering as enlisted. Normally, enlisted personnel take a test called the ASVAB. This test measures your Administrative, General, Electrical, and Mechanical skills. The higher you score in each of these categories the "better" the job you can get (and there's little room for research in many of these jobs - you do as you are told).

Like I mentioned previously, I recommend getting your degree first. This is unfortunate to say, but a degree-holding person has more value to the military than your average HS diploma kid.



Jordan Joab.

What kind of test is the ASVAB

 

[Poop-Loops]

A really easy one. I remember when I took it (I was in the same situation as you, just further along), I was tired and really hungry because the recruiting guy I was with just took me down to the center spontaneously, so I hadn't prepared. He made me wait for a long time because he had some stuff to take care of.

When he called me later he was like "You got a 99!" How much of that was just to make me come down and sign some papers, I don't know, but the test was easy.

It was basic math and some very basic physics, like "If a screw has more threads per inch, does that mean each turn requires more or less force?" Stuff like that. By that time I had taken some freshman physics, though, so that was more than enough for me on that test.

Here's a sample:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/l/blasvabsample.htm

 

[bravernix]

I'm not interested in a joining the reserves to have a career in the air forces. I want to join the reserves so they can pay for my college tuition , oh and uh to serve my country .

As someone else said, considering the way the world is right now, it is probably not a good idea to join if all you want is money for school. You may end up getting way more than you bargained for.

 

[Benzoate]

As someone else said, considering the way the world is right now, it is probably not a good idea to join if all you want is money for school. You may end up getting way more than you bargained for.

what is the difference between the Airforce reserves and the airforce? Aren't people who are usually in the reserves usually stay in the united states

 

[Poop-Loops]

Not anymore. A LOT of people in the reserves have been sent to Iraq. You being in the Air Force, you wouldn't think you'd have to go. I mean, it's not like you'll be on the front lines with the Marines or anything, but if they sent the National Guard over there, I wouldn't bet on you staying here.

 

[Jordan Joab]

I'm not interested in a joining the reserves to have a career in the air forces. I want to join the reserves so they can pay for my college tuition , oh and uh to serve my country .

Well, I strongly recommend not to join. If I'm not mistaken, the USAF Reserve don't offer contracts of less than 4 years. You might also run the risk of not being allowed to go to school your first year due to training requirements (happened to me). More than likely you will be activated and that's a 4-month deployment. You might also not like the work environment; the military is not a democracy - there's no free thinking.

In any case, if you really want them to pay your college (and keep in mind they'll work double the money out of you) there are a few options:

1) Apply to Officer Training School. Basically, you enroll in school full time and the military gives you a free ride. Catch: you must serve a 4yr contract.

2) Join the Air National Guard. The ANG is assigned to States and not to the Federal Gov. However you may end up getting activated. Check with the ANG recruiter.

3) Sign a 2yrs contract with the Army. You get $40k+ for college. Catch: paid trip to Iraq.

Those are the 3 I can think of at the moment. You also got to consider "Stop-Loss." Just remember that until you sign that contract you are under no obligation to the military. Don't let the recruiter sweet-talk you and read, read, read every single piece of paper you are given.

Once again, I recommend not joining and getting that money elsewhere.



Jordan Joab.

 

[Benzoate]

Well, I strongly recommend not to join. If I'm not mistaken, the USAF Reserve don't offer contracts of less than 4 years. You might also run the risk of not being allowed to go to school your first year due to training requirements (happened to me). More than likely you will be activated and that's a 4-month deployment. You might also not like the work environment; the military is not a democracy - there's no free thinking.

In any case, if you really want them to pay your college (and keep in mind they'll work double the money out of you) there are a few options:

1) Apply to Officer Training School. Basically, you enroll in school full time and the military gives you a free ride. Catch: you must serve a 4yr contract.

2) Join the Air National Guard. The ANG is assigned to States and not to the Federal Gov. However you may end up getting activated. Check with the ANG recruiter.

3) Sign a 2yrs contract with the Army. You get $40k+ for college. Catch: paid trip to Iraq.

Those are the 3 I can think of at the moment. You also got to consider "Stop-Loss." Just remember that until you sign that contract you are under no obligation to the military. Don't let the recruiter sweet-talk you and read, read, read every single piece of paper you are given.

Once again, I recommend not joining and getting that money elsewhere.
Jordan Joab.

The problem is , The bank that is allowing me to borrow money is not enough to cover the costs of summer ,fall and spring semesters. what are other options besides joining the air force reserves to help pay for college tuition ? I can't just dropped out of school

I was also told that a person in the air force reserves , after six weeks of training would be only on duty for one weekend a month.

 

[TMFKAN64]

Nothing you maybe told is binding. What is binding is what you sign. Read your contracts *THOROUGHLY*.

 

[Benzoate]

Nothing you maybe told is binding. What is binding is what you sign. Read your contracts *THOROUGHLY*.

Is each contract unique for every individual who decides to sign up for the reserves, depending on your location? Or is each contract generic, regardless of your location.

 

[Poop-Loops]

Don't take any chances. They may use different forms for different branches, different locations, different jobs you're signing up for, etc.

 

[Jordan Joab]

Is each contract unique for every individual who decides to sign up for the reserves, depending on your location? Or is each contract generic, regardless of your location.

There will probably be an identical set of rules, stipulations, etc for all individuals. What may vary will be length of service, job chosen, rank after basic training, amount of money received after basic training, etc.

If it's not in writing, the AF will not honor it.



Jordan Joab.

 

[Benzoate]

There will probably be an identical set of rules, stipulations, etc for all individuals. What may vary will be length of service, job chosen, rank after basic training, amount of money received after basic training, etc.

If it's not in writing, the AF will not honor it.



Jordan Joab.

This contract that you sign, would AF offer what would be listed on the contract online or would you yourself have to talk to a recruiter in person and then he will present your contract.

BTW , thanks for telling me this. I'm still not sure if I will join the AFR or not, but I'm glad some body presented me the other side.I was told that I get free traveling expenses , a salary and my college tuition paid for , simply by doing 6 six weeks of training and reporting for duty every weekend of every month of the year.

Surely they would not send you to Iraq if your service only spans into the weekend.

 

[TMFKAN64]

"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch."

I should point out that I've never been in the military... but if you are about to sign a contract that will change your life for the next 4+ years, READ IT CAREFULLY.

Seriously, do a little google search for "air force reserves iraq" and "stop loss iraq" before you sign.

 

[Benzoate]

"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch."

Unless your parents' income is under $50000 and you are automatically offered a grant.

 

[Jordan Joab]

This contract that you sign, would AF offer what would be listed on the contract online or would you yourself have to talk to a recruiter in person and then he will present your contract.

BTW , thanks for telling me this. I'm still not sure if I will join the AFR or not, but I'm glad some body presented me the other side.I was told that I get free traveling expenses , a salary and my college tuition paid for , simply by doing 6 six weeks of training and reporting for duty every weekend of every month of the year.

Surely they would not send you to Iraq if your service only spans into the weekend.

Here's how the process goes:

After you take the ASVAB the recruiter sets a date for you and other applicants to go to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Transportation, lodging, and food are covered by the AF. At MEPS you go through background, medical, drug screening, etc. You will get these results at a later date.

You return to MEPS (again, everything covered by the AF) and after you clear everything you get a list of jobs you qualify for (taken from ASVAB results), you choose a job, length of service, bonuses, etc. if there's something you don't like talk to that person right there and then. Don't let them force you to sign, take your time; you are not obligated to anything yet. You read the contract, ask questions, and if you like it then sign. If not, ask for what you want (you may or may not get it).

After you sign, you take an Oath to serve the country. You receive your shipping date (date you'll go to Basic Military Training - BMT). 6 weeks of training, X number of months at a technical school (job you chose), and then you are sent to your first duty station. Welcome to the Air Force.

For the reserves, you show up for duty 2 weeks a year except when you get activated and find yourself on a plane to the Middle East. I don't know the specifics of the Reserves since I was Active Duty. I've heard the atmosphere is laid-back and whatnot. Not sure. Feel free to call your nearest Reserve base and talk to everyone you can from Airmen, NCOs, AF civilians, to Officers.

Salary for reservists is different than AD (can't remember specifics); tuition, bonuses, training requirements, etc might be different as well (read: less). One thing to remember, this is not your typical part-time job: when the AF says you got to go somewhere, you really don't have a choice.



Jordan Joab.

 

[Benzoate]

Here's how the process goes:

After you take the ASVAB the recruiter sets a date for you and other applicants to go to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Transportation, lodging, and food are covered by the AF. At MEPS you go through background, medical, drug screening, etc. You will get these results at a later date.

You return to MEPS (again, everything covered by the AF) and after you clear everything you get a list of jobs you qualify for (taken from ASVAB results), you choose a job, length of service, bonuses, etc. if there's something you don't like talk to that person right there and then. Don't let them force you to sign, take your time; you are not obligated to anything yet. You read the contract, ask questions, and if you like it then sign. If not, ask for what you want (you may or may not get it).

After you sign, you take an Oath to serve the country. You receive your shipping date (date you'll go to Basic Military Training - BMT). 6 weeks of training, X number of months at a technical school (job you chose), and then you are sent to your first duty station. Welcome to the Air Force.

For the reserves, you show up for duty 2 weeks a year except when you get activated and find yourself on a plane to the Middle East. I don't know the specifics of the Reserves since I was Active Duty. I've heard the atmosphere is laid-back and whatnot. Not sure. Feel free to call your nearest Reserve base and talk to everyone you can from Airmen, NCOs, AF civilians, to Officers.

Salary for reservists is different than AD (can't remember specifics); tuition, bonuses, training requirements, etc might be different as well (read: less). One thing to remember, this is not your typical part-time job: when the AF says you got to go somewhere, you really don't have a choice.



Jordan Joab.

How can I attend another technical school after six weeks of training while I am attending
university? Does the AR make you go to a trade school even if you are already attending college? Would the air force choose where you are going to reside if you decide to join the air force?

 

[Jordan Joab]

How can I attend another technical school after six weeks of training while I am attending
university? Does the AR make you go to a trade school even if you are already attending college? Would the air force choose where you are going to reside if you decide to join the air force?

Signing a military contract is similar to signing your life away. The Air Force's needs take priority over your needs. So more than likely you will have to stop attending college until you finish Technical Training (and longer if your job requires you to obtain more advanced training).

As far as places where you will reside, you will live where the AF tells you to live until you complete BMT and Technical Training (BMT is at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX while Tech School depends on the job you chose). For Reserves, you might or might not get assigned to an AFR base near your hometown; you can certainly choose to reside 3hrs away from base just as long as you show up on time for duty.

Once again, the AFR's needs take priority over you. If you getting a degree appears on the AFR's "things I need" list then yes you will be getting your degree; if it doesn't, that degree is coming after the AF gets what it wants. It's that simple.



Jordan Joab.

 

[mgiddy911]

I don't know all that much about bank's and economy and what have you. But can't you borrow ( as other's have said in you other thread) a dedicated student loan from a bank. For example mine is from Citibank and I am fairly certain when I was applying it said the maximum is 40k for a loan. You request an amount and they check with your school to make sure it is legit and that you aren't trying to borrow 40k/year for community college

 

[Mathemaniac]

The way I see it, there's a reason why the military will recruit you, and there's a reason why they give you all of that combat training: so that they can use you to fight its wars. They don't pay you for nothing, even if you are in the "reserves."

A friend of mine is in the reserves, and has been for I think two years. He's a "cook," and for a while it seemed like he would never see an actual fire fight. Well, now he's going to Iraq, and I can't imagine all of that combat training and whatnot was given to him just so that he can cook.

Never trust an army recruiter when they say it's very unlikely that you will be heading to Iraq. Actually, never trust an army recruiter at all. They have a tendency to be ridiculously nice, so nice that it's obvious they're manipulating you. The only other time someone was that nice to me was when some religious dude (I think he was Mormon?) was trying to convert me. Incidentally, on a less related note, the initial idea to study physics occurred to me when a recruiter called me and tried to recruit me one night. They had calling me for a while. I was a freshmen, and an undecided major. Of course, if I told him that, it would encourage him, because they like to pull the "well if you don't know what you want to do, why not join the army while you decide" card. I think I'd get a similar reaction if I told him I was studying liberal arts such as English (which I was leaning towards at the time). So I told him the first non-liberal arts thing that came to my mind: astronomy and physics (since I was in an astronomy class at the time). It worked like a charm. The call ended very soon after that, and they never called me again. And then I thought "Hmm, astronomy and physics, that's not a bad idea!" Anyway, I think I'm rambling now, so I'll stop.

 

[Benzoate]

The way I see it, there's a reason why the military will recruit you, and there's a reason why they give you all of that combat training: so that they can use you to fight its wars. They don't pay you for nothing, even if you are in the "reserves."

A friend of mine is in the reserves, and has been for I think two years. He's a "cook," and for a while it seemed like he would never see an actual fire fight. Well, now he's going to Iraq, and I can't imagine all of that combat training and whatnot was given to him just so that he can cook.

Never trust an army recruiter when they say it's very unlikely that you will be heading to Iraq. Actually, never trust an army recruiter at all. They have a tendency to be ridiculously nice, so nice that it's obvious they're manipulating you. The only other time someone was that nice to me was when some religious dude (I think he was Mormon?) was trying to convert me. Incidentally, on a less related note, the initial idea to study physics occurred to me when a recruiter called me and tried to recruit me one night. They had calling me for a while. I was a freshmen, and an undecided major. Of course, if I told him that, it would encourage him, because they like to pull the "well if you don't know what you want to do, why not join the army while you decide" card. I think I'd get a similar reaction if I told him I was studying liberal arts such as English (which I was leaning towards at the time). So I told him the first non-liberal arts thing that came to my mind: astronomy and physics (since I was in an astronomy class at the time). It worked like a charm. The call ended very soon after that, and they never called me again. And then I thought "Hmm, astronomy and physics, that's not a bad idea!" Anyway, I think I'm rambling now, so I'll stop.

So did you have to take a break from college to perform the duties given to you by the army.

 

[Jordan Joab]

So did you have to take a break from college to perform the duties given to you by the army.

You do what the military tells you to do when they tell you to do it. If that means interrupting college then yes, you will not be going to college until you do what they tell you to do when they tell you to do it.

If they give you permission to attend college then you may go to college until they tell you to stop going to college.

You are on their time not on yours.



Jordan Joab.

 

[Benzoate]

You do what the military tells you to do when they tell you to do it. If that means interrupting college then yes, you will not be going to college until you do what they tell you to do when they tell you to do it.

If they give you permission to attend college then you may go to college until they tell you to stop going to college.

You are on their time not on yours.



Jordan Joab.

Seems like we have a dictatorship within our pseudo-democracy

 

[Mathemaniac]

So did you have to take a break from college to perform the duties given to you by the army.

Eh? I didn't say I joined the army, I said my friend did. With the exception of training and such, I think his college education was for most of the part unimpeded (he's studying engineering). That is, until they decided to send him to Iraq. Now he won't be able to finish until he's back.

Seems like we have a dictatorship within our pseudo-democracy

Basically. I think with the exception of constitutional rights and such, for all intents and purposes, the military pretty much owns you when you are in the army. You are almost literally property of the government. Which is one reason (along with the fact that you could, you know, get shot) why they have to give plenty of very tempting incentives, such as free education. It's understandable; I can't imagine the military would be very functional if everyone can come and go as they please.

 

[Poop-Loops]

The military has to have a hierarchy so that when the s*** hits the fan, people know who to turn to (the highest ranking officer) instead of voting and arguing. You don't have that kind of time when bombs are exploding around you. The person in command can very well make a stupid mistake, but there's a much smaller chance of that happening than everybody in the unit not agreeing what to do next.

 

[PowerIso]

How can I attend another technical school after six weeks of training while I am attending
university? Does the AR make you go to a trade school even if you are already attending college? Would the air force choose where you are going to reside if you decide to join the air force?

Some of my friends in the army managed to put off their technical school off until the summer after their first year at a university. When I first joined it was before the Iraq war. I was fully active for three months and the next thing I know it, I'm out in Kuwait waiting to invade Iraq. The Air Force has a lot of cushy jobs compared to others, so if in the end you do plan to join them, make yourself seem so smart that it would be a waste to put you active combat.

I had leadership skills, thus was given a fireteam. I should have made myself seemed incompetent lol.

 

[Barfolumu]

While the military helps some, and it definitely builds character, because of my experience with it, I always feel obligated to inform anyone considering going into the armed forces...

If you join anything, don't join the army. If you want to be GI Joe, marines, if you want to be treated better, air force (and I second going the Officers route, because Enlisted is a bum deal). If you're smart, and the main reason you're joining is because you feel pinned to a wall, don't join. Besides, they're having budgetary problems, so I'm sure they'll be looking for ways to not give you everything they promised in the future.

 

[torquerotates]

I wouldn't risk my life just so I can get some college degree.

 

[PowerIso]

I wouldn't risk my life just so I can get some college degree.

Then pick a non-combat job .

If you decide to go through it, when you are picking your job, look for maintenance and logistics jobs. This includes, fueling stations, munition depos, communication, electronics, aerospace maintenance.

Other safe jobs include, aircrew protection, weather related jobs, C & CS operations, information management.

 

[Jordan Joab]

Then pick a non-combat job .

If you decide to go through it, when you are picking your job, look for maintenance and logistics jobs. This includes, fueling stations, munition depos, communication, electronics, aerospace maintenance.

Other safe jobs include, aircrew protection, weather related jobs, C & CS operations, information management.

Maintenance jobs are normally not school-friendly; personnel has to work long hours until equipment is fixed.

The good jobs in the AF are normally those that are office related such as Finance, Computers, Dining Facility, etc.



Jordan.

 

[Cyrus]

My friend is in the army reserves. They called him and said pack in in the middle of his last semester. Hes in Iraq right now.

He does repairs on vehicles. But sometimes he has to go out around down which can be very dangerous. This is his second tour.

 

[Mathemaniac]

Besides, they're having budgetary problems, so I'm sure they'll be looking for ways to not give you everything they promised in the future.

So it would seem! I've heard horror stories about soldiers being asked to repay their deployment bonuses since they had to go back home early after being wounded in combat. A disgusting bit business, that.

 

[usahockey]

You could try ROTC or NROTC, which would pay for you to complete a degree, if you qualify (I think most people are generally accepted). Joining one of these, I believe, can even help you get into a better school. One guy I knew going to community college was told that he would essentially be guaranteed a transfer to a good state school (UIUC), if he joined ROTC and maintained a 2.0 GPA...definitely wouldn't happen with that GPA otherwise.

The other option of course is to go to other banks for loans...there are many online that you could try. You could probably shop around for loans until your degree is finished, and then either try to pay them off by working, or join the military at that point, and they will pay off something like $65k worth of student loans simply for joining up.

I don't recommend the military at all, especially if you don't want to actually do it. Once you sign that contract, your life is theirs for 4-6 years. Everyone I've ever talked to who has served in recent times had nothing good to say about their experience...that should be a telling sign.

 

[Andy Resnick]

I am thinking about joining the air force reserves while continuing to attend college because I am no longer able to borrow money for college. I think the air force would be beneficial for me because I think it would be the perfect opportunity for me to developed my research skills in the Air force and I could put my physics education to use while helping me pay for my college loans. I 'd like a second opinion about joining the air force reserves while attending college. I would like anybody who has worked for the reserves to share their experiences and share some research experiences you might've had while in the airforce reserves

I knew a lot of people enrolled in ROTC in school, also several who were attending under the GI bill. They all worked their butts off and were quality individuals; I have nothing against serving in the military.

I feel for your financial troubles, unfortunately, it has made you a prime target for recruiters who are willing to take advantage of you. It's a Faustian bargain- the military will own your a** for a few years, and you will be changed because of the experience. As others have said: go in with your eyes open, trust only a written contract which you read VERY carefully, and do not expect to get something (tuition) for nothing (time served).

Have you spoken directly to the University financial aid people, to see what options are available? States usually have higher-education grants, and there may be smaller nonprofits that underwrite tuition costs.

 

[Barfolumu]

I was maintenance. Screw Ordanance. I don't know what job is good in the military, because all I had was that, so... *shrug* I dunno. Maybe go for payroll, or something? That's a desk job. I had a buddy who did pay roll -- his deployment was into Kuwait, so he wasn't in much danger.

As for the financial situation: Private Loans are usually available, even when government loans aren't. The downside being, you'll pay more for them. Then you may also want to look into teaching. A lot of states offer free money if you promise to teach for them for X amount of years, where X is equal to the number of years you get money from them.

 

[leumas614]

Will the military pay for grad school like it does for college?

 

[stewartcs]

Will the military pay for grad school like it does for college?

You can use your GI Bill funds for graduate school if you like.

CS

 

[Mathemaniac]

I was maintenance. Screw Ordanance. I don't know what job is good in the military, because all I had was that, so... *shrug* I dunno. Maybe go for payroll, or something? That's a desk job. I had a buddy who did pay roll -- his deployment was into Kuwait, so he wasn't in much danger.

My cousin (who joined the straight-up army, not the reserves, which might have something to do with it) was supposedly going to be a mechanic and weapons repairman, but when he went to Iraq he ended up being a body guard for some colonel, saw his fair share of firefights, made a few kills, and was eventually wounded in combat. I guess I don't know how one can guarantee that they will be kept out of the front lines.

 

[Jordan Joab]

I was maintenance. Screw Ordanance. I don't know what job is good in the military, because all I had was that, so... *shrug* I dunno. Maybe go for payroll, or something? That's a desk job. I had a buddy who did pay roll -- his deployment was into Kuwait, so he wasn't in much danger.

As for the financial situation: Private Loans are usually available, even when government loans aren't. The downside being, you'll pay more for them. Then you may also want to look into teaching. A lot of states offer free money if you promise to teach for them for X amount of years, where X is equal to the number of years you get money from them.

I was Aircraft Armament Systems in the USAF. Flightline job. Long hours. The good jobs in the USAF are clerical/administrative in nature; when in the States, you are almost guaranteed an 8hr day and when in a warzone you'll be either hundreds of miles away from action or protected by Marines.

Other good jobs are aircrew jobs like in-flight refueling (boom operator), flight engineer, flight attendant, loadmaster, etc.

The thing that bothered me was that an E4 working 8hr days was getting paid the same as me working 12-16hr days.

My cousin (who joined the straight-up army, not the reserves, which might have something to do with it) was supposedly going to be a mechanic and weapons repairman, but when he went to Iraq he ended up being a body guard for some colonel, saw his fair share of firefights, made a few kills, and was eventually wounded in combat. I guess I don't know how one can guarantee that they will be kept out of the front lines.

Regardless of whatever job a soldier (and airman, sailor, or marine) has he/she is still a soldier. If a person wants to stay out of the frontlines that person needs to get a very technical or specialized job like Intel or become a high ranking officer/NCO.



Jordan Joab.

 

[Barfolumu]

The thing that bothered me was that an E4 working 8hr days was getting paid the same as me working 12-16hr days.

...and the officer who worked less than anyone was payed twice as much :D.

To say the least, I agree.

 

[leumas614]

You can use your GI Bill funds for graduate school if you like.

No I meant can you go to grad school first paid for by the military and then you serve; like the way it works for doctors. The military pays for med school and then you commit 5 years. Is there a similar arrangment for graduate school assuming you have not served before?

 

[Jordan Joab]

No I meant can you go to grad school first paid for by the military and then you serve; like the way it works for doctors. The military pays for med school and then you commit 5 years. Is there a similar arrangment for graduate school assuming you have not served before?

Call them up and ask. I know one of the basic requirements needed to become an Officer is a Bachelor degree. To advance to higher officer ranks (Major and above) you need at least a Master degree.

The Military finds everyone attractive but people with 4yr degrees are slightly more attractive. Add to that the fact that many mid-level Officers (Captains, Majors, and Lt. Colonels) are leaving the service due to long deployments and other various reasons. At the moment, incentives are being offered to retain these officers; the Army has even been lowering its entry requirements to meet recruiting needs.

All that amounts to this: if what you are asking about is not available now I am almost sure that you can work it out with them or it will be available soon.



Jordan Joab.

 

[MisSinKitty]

love the AFR <3

I am a Govt civilian college student debating on the Air Force Reserve as well.

I currently work on base in a reserve unit and absolutly love it! <3

I already have so much debt & haven't even begun grad school.

During school I also spent time in the Air Force Reserve Oficcer Training course through my college...needless to say the funds aren't what you think & there is NO free rides. Excepting a scholarship through AFROTC means a service commitment to active duty for 4yrs...I have no problem with that but finding out I'd have to wait until my 2nd year to be eligable for schoalrship -made me think twice! This is not true for everyone, but I happen to be a liberal arts major...Also working with the Reseve made me realize it's way more my style! :)

Now if you are looking for money for school I would suggest checking into your schools ROTC programs. With a degree like yours they'll grab you up asap! & give you a scholarship right off the bat!--as long as you qualify medically/physically. You will be paid for school while in and once you graduate your 4yr service commitment starts and you will come in as an officer making close to $50,000 reguardless of your career...& might i mention you can continue on with your usual college life.

Or the Air National Guard. The difference with the Guard is you arent just tied to fed but state as well...but they give you a $20,000 signing bonus -$10,000 after basic & $10,000 after 2yrs in...however if you terminate your contract -you will be paying back! -as with any branch of the service. Guard also pay 100% -where the Air Force Reserve pays 75% of college tuition. They also don't give a signing bonus...But you still get monthly stipends for both...also coming in as a reservist Guard or Reserve =networking which means meeting people and finding out about all types of jobs within the govt that outsiders might not hear about :)

&& for the record this is how it works with Resevists deploying. Depending on your job (ie pilots & cops deploy a lot) -other than that You will most likely NEVER be told hey you are deploying...reason being is that the AFR is a volunteer based thing...so you can volunteer to go on deployments...& trust me there is a long list...you make lots of $$ that's tax free while over seas! & with the reserve its diff bc they work in sets of months. & they are short! There are people here with me who have never deployed & don't plan to! & others who are on waiting lists!..SO many ofthe people in this unit are full-time college students with no intention of taking a break from school. Theres lots of people with all different kinds of occupations coming in on the weekends from teachers to Lawyers & Drs...Being a military memeber also earns you access to base establishments like the commisary & bx -which is tax free and SO much cheaper than other stores.

The one wekend a month thing is done at your home station...now when they say 2weeks active duty they mean being on active duty orders. This doesn't mean deploying over seas! It could be just working in the office you work in on your reserve weekend for a set number of days...reservists on avtive duty orders usually stay at home station :)

My opinion is this: If you want more of a laid back atmosphere go AF Reserve...but if you don't mind be tied to the state -like cleaning up after a hurricane...go guard :) Eatha way its $ for college and it earns you the respect of serving our country, which is something to be proud of! --its also looks good to employers bc generally military members havea good work ethic. integrity 1st. service before self & excellence in all we do!* <3

Good Luck!*