Lewis Clark
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2018
- Messages
- 1,030
I would point out that medical care is not free after 20 years. It is somewhat subsidized, but definitely not free.
+1
Navy retiree here.
I would point out that medical care is not free after 20 years. It is somewhat subsidized, but definitely not free.
I wanted to join to be a fighter pilot because it's sexy and I was stupid.
I was refused as I wore glasses... Lucky for me as there are no civilian jobs as a fighter pilot.
+1
Navy retiree here.
During my career flying for United; about 1/3 of the pilots were ex-fighter jocks, 1/3 were transport/bomber people, and 1/3 came from commuter airlines (like me).
Chuck Yeager said something like "The Air Force will give you some really neat airplanes to fly, if you're willing to bleed."
I was willing to take my chances, even tried to get into the Air Guard while flying for United, but didn't have enough college- dropped out when UAL hired me with about 1 1/2 years credit in 1969.
Explain "not free". Tri Care prime is $50/month combined for DW and I. The only other expense DW and I have is a small copay when seeing a specialist. Last year DW and I combined had 10 of those visits totalling $300. Most of my civilian friends pay more than that each month just to have insurance. So total medical expenses last year were $900. So yes, technically "not free" but it beats anything else out there.
I'll join TrophyHusband in the minority and say no way. I retired as a Naval Flight Officer (guy in back) after 20 yrs in 2006.
20+ year recently(?) retired AF Officer. Aviator, commanded at multiple levels, multiple deployments, three combat tours, staff college graduate, multiple overseas tours, and was on the fast track for General.
So, with my credibility established and a successful career behind me you'd think I'd be lining up with all the others recommending your son join. But instead, I'm going to be the one dissenting voice here and recommend that your son DOES NOT join the Air Force.
If you notice, most of the comments from other veterans are from veterans who retired years ago, if not decades. And I would point out that the USAF, and military of that past is essentially gone. The benefits, facilities, opportunities, comradery, esprit de corps and mission focus are absent in the new reality of today's culture. Just turn on the news and you will see the military reeling from one crisis to another. Senior leaders who in times past prided themselves on being apolitical are now either partisan foils or hacks. These missteps at the most senior levels is manifesting itself in bad policy that permeates the service and affects everyone negatively from 4-star to E-1.
The USAF, once the leading edge of technological innovation in the country, is saddled with outdated and poorly maintained equipment. The B-52 first flew in 1951 and the AF plans on flying it until 2040+. Add to this the KC135, T38, F15, MMIII, etc.. And that's just airframes. It doesn't include the other, less known and less public systems and equipment. Dorms have mold, buildings leak, roads and facilities are in disrepair. The peace dividend of the 90's gutted military infrastructure spending and the band-aids and chewing gum fixes of the past 20 years are no longer working.
The things in the past that made the military unique, and therefore attractive to some youth (e.g. service, patriotism, higher calling) are greatly diminished. The USAF and military of today is much more like any other bureaucratic government agency. Think of the US Park Service, but with better weapons.
If he has a family, or plans on having one, add another layer of complexity and reasons not to join. There are a lot of very unhappy wives and families in the military for a reason and any cursory look will show you divorce rates are higher in the military than the general population as a whole. There's a reason for that.
My son is a poster boy for joining the AF. Straight A student, 30+ ACT, fit, heavily involved in school, healthy, and had already started flying in high school. We had recruiters beating down our door trying to get him to go to the service Academies and/or offering 4-yr ROTC scholarships. I certainly didn't prohibit him from entertaining these offers, but I made no effort to facilitate them either. Believe me I breathed a huge sigh of relief when he decided to go pursue scholarship opportunities at a civilian school.
If your son is set on joining the military then the other posts have provided good information. But one piece of advice that I have not see anyone post is to make sure your son's VALUES and life outlook line up with the AF. Unfortunately, that's hard to know until you're in it.
And that is ultimately why I made the decision not to accept the offer of promotion and advancement that was offered me. The military is not what is was and not the organization I joined 20+ years ago. Organizational culture changes, I get it. But I, and your son, have to wake up every morning, look in the mirror and ask, "Am I a member of an organization/company that makes me proud/happy to be a part of it"? I could no no longer do so.
I am an Air Force vet and was an Aircraft Mechanic. You cannot transition to an Aircraft Mechanic on the outside without a license. In the Air Force you specialize in a certain part like fuel systems, hydraulics, Crew chief, electronics, etc. I would recommend he look into something like computer programming, medical tech, air traffic controller. If I had it to do again, I would go to college first, get a four year degree, go in as an officer, and make a career out of it. He would get a pension for life, free medical for life after 20 years of service.
Member of the 570 club, 5/17/85....did not cross.