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USAF; United States Air Force...
Topic Started: Jun 18 2008, 02:22 AM (586 Views)
Sa the Hand
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So, the USAF recruiter was at my house to answer any questions that my parents had. Well... after 3.5 hours of talking I decided to join the USAF.

All I have left is the physical and the actual signing the papers to join.
 
Increase
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Administrator
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Hrm. Very mixed feelings on this, but I'll be supportive. Any idea what job you're gonna go for?
 
MountainLynx
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Ninja
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Interesting news. Sounds like you have quite a variety of new possibilities open to you now. Good luck, and remember us Vanguard types when you're off on some aircraft carrier :P
 
Sa the Hand
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I'm going for some computer based job, not entirely sure as to which one. I guess, because of my early signup or something, that whatever job I choose, I get to train for that. Normally, I would have to choose a couple jobs that I would want. But, I'm qualified for nearly any job that I want, because of my ASVAB score.

There's no way I'll be forgetting you guys, since I'll still be around. I forgot when exactly, but if I remember right I get to fill out a "dream sheet" of bases that I would like to be stationed at after training. Hopefully I get stationed to one of the three bases in Japan, or one in Hawaii.

Edit: If all goes as planned, I could be done with basic training and like half way through tech school (halfway to my associates, I think) by the time the rest of those in my class are graduating. Which means, I could be that far, have time to come back and walk with my class for graduation.
 
Increase
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Well, it sounds like you know what you're doing, and that sounds like a good plan. n_n

No matter what job you get, at least you'll be around all those pretty machines. :D

Though it makes me sad that they're retiring the F-117. ;.;
 
Sa the Hand
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I checked my options, and checked them again just in case. This way, I'll have the direction after high school, instead the planned course of action... Get some job that I won't much care for (GameStop wouldn't be too bad, but still), double up with college (I essentially have a "full ride" if I stay in Wyoming), and then what? Who knows if I'd get a job after college, the market is competitive and it seems like a lot of people like my field. I might just end up staying at whatever job I had, possibly becoming a manager by that point too.

Or, I could go into the Air Force. Suffer through 8.5 weeks of training, get free knowledge, and get paid the whole time. Then, I get to go almost anywhere I want (preference does have a part to play, but so does the need of that base; they won't send me there if they don't need me there), with whatever job I want. Four or six years later, I'm done and can either stay (most likely) in the Air Force or try and get that job that I would've went to college for, but this time I'd probably be given the job, because I have the knowledge and the experience (and if I work on computers, I'll probably end up with top level security clearance).

As for the actual aircraft... I don't know any of them, other than maybe pointing out a fighter. I bet it would be cool to be a pilot, but that comes after a college degree, and I can't even stand rollercoasters (although I could go for flying helicoptors or cargo planes).
 
Xieveral
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Shou's Mommy
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First reaction: X< nuuuuu

Second reaction: ^w^ Congratulations!

At least its one of the safer military branches so I won't worry. Yuki says worst that could happen to you is carpal tunnel XD
 
Sa the Hand
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Yeah, another reason for my choice. It's the safest of the branches (I still learn self defense, how to fire the M9, and how to fire and assemble the M16). Although, I wouldn't mind getting deployed, as long as it is near the time that I re-enlist. If I understood correctly, re-enlisting while deployed equals either your re-enlistment bonus being untaxed, or your whole pay being untaxed. Either way, that would be great.

Oh, I also get 2.5 days paid vacation per month, adding up to 30 days per year. I can only use a max of like two weeks at a time, and the mission comes first.
 
Namillus
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Not sure I approve of the Jehovah's Witness style of recruitment strategy, but then I imagine there is a deficit of information that might lead me to conclude a different method.

Regardless, I wish you well in this endeavor.
 
Increase
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Once again, very good to hear that you have thought this through so much. Those perks sound awesome, but make sure to get them in writing and read the fine print-- institutions in general, especially the military, like to catch you with hidden requirements/clauses.

If you wanna fly helicopters, you should see if you can pilot a CV-22 Osprey-- they're so cool, because they /transform/ from a helicopter into a plane. XD However, I think that they are mostly a Marine personnel transport, not Air Force... And then there are all those reports of the transformation systems locking up in mid-shift and causing the craft to crash. 6.6;

EDIT: And yeah, the US military is /very/ agressive in recruiting high-schoolers. At our public high school, all juniors were forced to take the ASVAB-- which is the military entrance exam, if I recall. Kind of unnerving to take a test while uniform soldiers are pacing the room watching you. As a result of it, I recieved a barrage of letters and phone calls, like most poor kids. x.X;
 
Hako
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Every Villain is Lemons
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Go for a Sea King! >.>
 
Namillus
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Increase
Jun 18 2008, 07:14 PM
If you wanna fly helicopters, you should see if you can pilot a CV-22 Osprey-- they're so cool, because they /transform/ from a helicopter into a plane.

More than meets the eye? XD
 
Sa the Hand
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I will definitely be reading through everything that I need to sign before doing so. I don't want to get caught in something that I didn't want.

Our high school juniors also had to take the ASVAB (of course I was interested in doing it before that). I think it is becoming something close to mandatory in most high schools. All it does is shows your aptitude for learning.

Oh, the Osprey would be cool too. But I don't think the Air Force has those. From what I would think, the Air Force has fighters, bombers, tactical/information, and cargo; not sure if that is right though.
 
MountainLynx
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Ninja
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Hakoten
Jun 18 2008, 01:17 PM
Go for a Sea King! >.>

Dude, that is a CRUEL joke that really only we Canadians would fully understand.

Also, knowing someone who did a lot of computer work in the (Canadian) military, I recommend getting some certifications related to your experience on your own time, since he had a rough time finding a related job without them after getting out of service.

Seriously, employers start drooling when they see a CompTIA member card :P

EDIT:

Don't forget this! It could be useful when talking to us civilian types :P

Posted Image
 
Sa the Hand
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I'm not sure how that works with the Air Force... He told me something about how I get a yearly report or something that can I think shows what I've done that year and I can add that to my resume. I don't really remember because I'm not even entirely sure what I'll do after the first enlistment (4 or 6 years, probably going with the six because of the immediate pay raise/higher starting rank). I may very well stay with the Air Force, and maybe save up some money to open up a business.

CompTIA? That brings some stuff to mind, don't you have to take some test for that. Or am I thinking of something else?
 
MountainLynx
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Ninja
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CompTIA is the company behind the internationally-famed A+ exam.

Interestingly enough, you do not need to score an A+ to pass either test (there are 2).
 
Sa the Hand
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Nice edit above, I'll have to remember that one.

So I was thinking of the right thing, just didn't have as much information.
 
Sa the Hand
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Just a small update... I'm heading down to Salt Lake City, tomorrow, to go to MEPS (United States Military Entrance Processing Command), to basically get an extensive physical. So, I won't be online from Thursday to mid-late Friday.

I believe this is also the place and time that I do the actual signing up. On Friday, I may be in the Air Force (granted I won't go to basic training until next year, hopefully January).

Edit: I've got Internet because I'm borrowing my sister's Verizon Internet. Plus the hotel (Radisson) has free wireless.
 
Sa the Hand
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(First off, I do realize that I'm posting in the same topic several times in a row. But, I do feel that it's appropriate.)

Another update... After getting no sleep, being ready to go at 4 a.m., and at the MEPS building by 6 a.m., I finished going through MEPS at 4 p.m.

With that, I've essentially become a member of the Air Force. I even have a projected (and hopeful on my part) date for shipping off to basic training. 2/1/09, approximately a week or so after I graduate.
 
Xieveral
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Shou's Mommy
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Any idea where exactly they'll be sending you?
 
Sa the Hand
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Basic training will be in Texas (never can remember where exactly). After that is tech school, which should be either in Texas or California (most likely California, I guess).

As a back-up job, I have it so that I could be working on the computers inside the various weather balloons.
 
WonderlandAlli
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Have fun and don't die or we'll revive you and beat you.
 
Xieveral
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Shou's Mommy
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WonderlandAlli
Jun 27 2008, 07:39 PM
Have fun and don't die or we'll revive you and beat you.

Make sure to bring plenty of scapes! :3

Should you have to go to Luke Air force base in Arizona for some reason and happen to have free time let me know :3
 
Sa the Hand
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Thanks, hahahaha. No plans of dying, probably a low probability too (minus some sort of terrorist act/going to war with a country and they bomb the base).

Edit: Will do, Xieveral. On that note, for those of you that have the ability and are willing to, I'm pretty sure you could come to the graduation from basic training. That is, only if you wanted to and it didn't cost you a fortune (damn gas).
 
WonderlandAlli
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Let Lynx and I know if you end up in Houston at the same time we do.
 
Sa the Hand
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WonderlandAlli
Jun 27 2008, 08:46 PM
Let Lynx and I know if you end up in Houston at the same time we do.

I have no clue when that'll be, hahahaha. But I won't be able to do anything while in basic training, or probably after (think I get sent straight to tech school). However, as said above, if that time happens to be near the graduation, you are more than welcome to come.
 
Claude
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Increase
Jun 18 2008, 07:14 PM
EDIT: And yeah, the US military is /very/ agressive in recruiting high-schoolers. At our public high school, all juniors were forced to take the ASVAB-- which is the military entrance exam, if I recall. Kind of unnerving to take a test while uniform soldiers are pacing the room watching you. As a result of it, I recieved a barrage of letters and phone calls, like most poor kids. x.X;

That's why you fail it miserably on purpose. <.< >.>

Good luck though, Sa.
 
Sa the Hand
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Claude
Jun 27 2008, 08:58 PM
Increase
Jun 18 2008, 07:14 PM
EDIT: And yeah, the US military is /very/ agressive in recruiting high-schoolers. At our public high school, all juniors were forced to take the ASVAB-- which is the military entrance exam, if I recall. Kind of unnerving to take a test while uniform soldiers are pacing the room watching you. As a result of it, I recieved a barrage of letters and phone calls, like most poor kids. x.X;

That's why you fail it miserably on purpose. <.< >.>

Good luck though, Sa.

I tried on the test with the same level that I try on every test. No studying, I get what I get. (Do that for normal classroom tests, and even the ACT.)

Thanks Claude.
 
Sa the Hand
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Another update...

Off to MEPS again, now to take a test to see if I can go into training to become a programmer. Heading out tomorrow afternoon, and will be back Wednesday.
 
Alena Zouryx
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Congratulations!! ...even though I'm totally against any form of military.
I'd rather not get into an argument about it, so let's just leave it at that, hm? ^^;

As long as you find something that leads you to true happiness, that's what's important.
I wish you the best! ;D

*hugs tight* ^^
 
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