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 Posted 9/6/2010 5:28:20 PM |
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Getting Better at Internets
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So I'm on the fence. I've decided to try to up my position in life, and the idea of joining the military, or a civilian job area was introduced to me. I've noticed that most of you guys here have some kind of military experience, Dave, Kevin, Jack, etc, and would really appreciate your opinion, what your experience was like, if you had to do it all over again would you do it, was it worth it, up's and down's, etc.
I'm thinking I'm leaning towards the Air Force, and most definitely a mechanics/metal workers/body-man position.
I'm sure basic training is a definite, so If you have stories to share as to what would be expected that would be great. And did you spend alot of time away from your family, did they get to live on base with you, all that jazz.
I'm on sort of a time limit, so I'd REALLY appreciate as many responses as possible. Thanks.
~Jason
“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me”
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| Posted 9/6/2010 5:49:47 PM |
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Forum Guru
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| Posted 9/6/2010 6:07:53 PM |
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Getting Better at Internets
Last Login: 11/13/2022 6:06:37 AM
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Thanks T-man. All information is grateful.
“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me”
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| Posted 9/6/2010 6:34:32 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 10/27/2014 6:30:59 PM
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Sag, I've nearly 21 years invested in the AF (of the AF invested into me)... I've loved every minute! So much so that I'm in for another 3....maybe longer...
I'll warn you that the first few years can be difficult if you don't set your eye on the prize. With time comes rank, with rank comes responsibility...and more money.
Be ready to move every 4 years to include places overseas...I never wanted to leave home but soon grew fond of the travels.
Free education, health care, good pay, travel and meeting friends all over the world. Who could ask for more?
Oh and don't forget what I have done in my off duty time...so you still get to be human.
My vote is for AF.
If you want mechanical I would suggest my career, jet engines. Structures (sheet metal or Metals Tech) are both great if you like fabrication (I know you do).
Potential for $$ after the AF I would suggest something in the Communications field (computers).
Best of luck to you!!!
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| Posted 9/6/2010 8:48:03 PM |
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Getting Better at Internets
Last Login: 11/13/2022 6:06:37 AM
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Jack (9/6/2010)
Sag, I've nearly 21 years invested in the AF (of the AF invested into me)... I've loved every minute! So much so that I'm in for another 3....maybe longer...
I'll warn you that the first few years can be difficult if you don't set your eye on the prize. With time comes rank, with rank comes responsibility...and more money.
Be ready to move every 4 years to include places overseas...I never wanted to leave home but soon grew fond of the travels.
Free education, health care, good pay, travel and meeting friends all over the world. Who could ask for more?
Oh and don't forget what I have done in my off duty time...so you still get to be human.
My vote is for AF.
If you want mechanical I would suggest my career, jet engines. Structures (sheet metal or Metals Tech) are both great if you like fabrication (I know you do).
Potential for $$ after the AF I would suggest something in the Communications field (computers).
Best of luck to you!!!
Thats fantastic information Jack! How much time did you spend away from your family? And I'm asking even if it meant only 2 days apart, etc? Beth is speaking against any of it for the possible chance of me being 6 to 9 months from her and Eric.
And how bad was basic training, and as strange as the questions are that follows: Is showing in front of a bunch of strangers as bad as it seems, and how often do you have people yell at you individually?
Again thank you VERY much for all that input.
“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me”
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| Posted 9/7/2010 5:45:49 AM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 10/27/2014 6:30:59 PM
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Time deployed/temp duty away from home is dependent on the career field. Say you work Aircraft, then it's dependent on which aircraft and it's mission.
Me, I spent a LOT of time away from home...probably 5 years out of the 21 I've served. Some trips as long as 6 months, others just a few days. But understand I wanted to go and volunteered a lot. I also spent most of my career in Special Ops command.
The good news is that my wife and I have been married for 20 years! It can work! Is it hard at times, of course but you always come home.
Do we yell at you, yes in Basic training and even Tech Training (if you screw up). It's all part of the training/conditioning. Most of the time it's an act! I yelled at a lot of young airmen when I was in charge of the Jet engine school, but only when they were not giving the course 100%. The goal was to get them to understand the importance of the training and to past the course.
Remember that both Basic and Tech School are designed to be passed. Basic is a break you down/build you up course. If you go in with the understanding that there is a purpose to EVERYTHING that is going on then you will be fine. Don't get hung up on the "why" or "what did I do wrong?"
After Basic and Tech you rarely get yelled at, but you do get picked on as the "new troop." Just expected and in a year you will have new troops to pick on. Food chain. 
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| Posted 9/7/2010 1:35:16 PM |
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Resident CLTC
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| It's your life choose wisely! When I was younger I thought that I would never leave home, I liked living close to my family. I felt that something was missing in my life I wanted to learn and do meaningful things with my life, so I joined the Air Force and have never regretted it. There are hard times as in anything worth attaining in your life. I would have never had the chance to travel all over the world and make so many friends. The thing that only military members have is a closeness that you have with you fellow military friends that I have never had with any civilian or police agencies. The become more than just friends they are a close part of your family that will never leave you! Even today fellow Air Force Crew Chiefs I worked with still contact me to talk about old times together. You will have the opportunity to do things that very few ever have the chance to achieve. Your career is in your hands and you have the ability to make it or break it. All those I have spoke with who have either left or retired say they miss the life style. Now that I am retired with two incomes and can afford to do the things I want to do. I can do a job I enjoy not just to take a job to pay the bills, without the AF I would have been stuck in construction. There is a job and there are careers, the AF offers Careers.
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| Posted 9/7/2010 2:59:11 PM |
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Getting Better at Internets
Last Login: 11/13/2022 6:06:37 AM
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Thank you guys again for the absolutely awesome information.
For the sake of my wife, does anyone have any information on taking on a Civilian workforce position? Is it better/worse? She's asking for the soul reason of trying to find a way to keep me around more often, and not being gone as long. Personally I dont mind, but I'm asking for her sake.
Thanks again.
“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me”
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| Posted 9/7/2010 3:49:44 PM |
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Resident CLTC
Last Login: Yesterday @ 1:50:41 PM
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| Even when I was overseas my wife never had a hard time finding a civilian job. I think it all depends on what her job skills are.
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| Posted 9/7/2010 11:34:36 PM |
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Getting Better at Internets
Last Login: 11/13/2022 6:06:37 AM
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Oh sorry, i worded that wrong, I was asking for me, not her. Because honestly It the massive amount of time not home is whats bothering her. Its not BARRING me from wanting to join, right now I'm just gathering as much info as I can from people who are knowledged in that area. And I dont want to ask a recruiter because all they are gonna tell me is what I want to hear and that everything is sunshine and loli pops.
Plus do you get to come home on weekends when your in tech training? How long is tech training now a days?
“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me”
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