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Should I join the military?
- Thread starter dukebound85
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He said he wanted to join the Air Force years ago, and I do believe that. However, perhaps he wasn't prompted to do so until he met this girl and heard her speak about her experiences. Being convinced to act on his earlier desires, by a girl no less, is not necessarily a negative reason for wanting to join now. Perhaps he just needed to be prompted. I only asked him because I want to hear him say this himself. 
Having said that, anybody in his position will just say exactly what I just said when asked such a question, whether it's true or not. What else could he say? It's easy to tell us that it's not because of the girl --- it's because of his past desire to join the air force. If it's true, then fantastic. If not, then he's only fooling himself.
Having said that, anybody in his position will just say exactly what I just said when asked such a question, whether it's true or not.
What else could he say? It's easy to tell us that it's not because of the girl --- it's because of his past desire to join the air force. If it's true, then fantastic. If not, then he's only fooling himself.
I grew up moving place to place because of the military also (father was in it). I won't say I loved it, but it had its perks as well. You could do a total overhaul of yourself any time you moved. You could change your complete style/attitude/"social standing" very easily if you put your mind to it. It did somewhat desensitize me to loss of friends though. When any current friends move or leave, it really doesn't bother me as I'm used to people coming and going.
But anyway... as others have said... if you join because she's in it or to impress her... that's being silly.
no, thats just a coincidence lol
i hate being a desk person and i have always wanted to fly and have always considered joining the military
if any of you remember my past threads....i dont like ny really at all.
seems i always talk to a recruiter every year
last year i talked to air force, year before that the navy and was so close to joining and before that the af again
moving sucks but i have moved so many times growing up and all across the us im used to it. i went to 14 different schools in different cities/states by the time i was in 9th grade. even in the last 9 years in colorado 10th grade on, my parents moved around the area 5 times then add me with college living and internships and where i am now lol
as a matter of fact, my family is movieng as we speak...just this time i dont get to partake lol
Then go for it, duke. You have my support. Sounds like it might be just what you need.
It sounds like you are thinking about doing this for all the right reasons. Something that could truly be quite fulfilling for you. Remember, you still have a small window of opportunity available to you to join a flight program. However, you will not be able to put it off for "another year," forever. Just remember the commitment. If you join and don't get into a flight program, you still have that commitment.
A very good point.
Medical clearance might be an issue. An initial military flight physical is rather extensive and checks things that are not checked during a civilian flight physical. The process is to weed out those who are not physically fit for flight duty. You mentioned your eyesight. Generally, the entrance requirements for vision are rather stringent and detailed. The two items that get most folks are the basic vision requirements (20/20 uncorrected in each eye) and color blindness. Heart ailments can also be an issue such as murmurs or irregular beating.
The physical portion will occur before flight school for the most part when you becoming an officer. However, depending on the service you can expect altitude chamber testing and SERE training.
The big question that you will need to ask yourself, is whether or not you would be happy pursuing a military career if you do not qualify for aviation service for whatever reason. If the answer is yes, then by all means go for it. However, if the answer is no, or you are not sure, then carefully evaluate your situation before applying.
I did my 20+ in the Air Force and it was the best decision I made. Gave me a sense of duty, honor and discipline; the things I needed as a 19 year old.
I went in with not giving it a shot but giving it my all. I got more than that in return.
I went in with not giving it a shot but giving it my all. I got more than that in return.
i just want to be able to say that in 20 years when i look back at my life
i dont think i could with what im doing now
Again, my knowledge is Academy based... Eyesight does not need to be 20/20 uncorrected. Eyes only need to be correctable to 20/20. The AF can give the PRK surgery to correct the eyes. I am assuming it would carry over, but I can not say with certainty. Check with the AF... Don't trust some random person on the MacRumors!
The main thing would be to get things in writing from the recruiter. There are lots of great recruiters but also those that will say whatever it takes to fill a quota.
Graduate?
It looks like things have changed a bit since I took my initial Class 1/A1 physical in the 80's.
We were 20/20 uncorrected. It now looks like you can be 20/70 correctable to 20/20 with glasses.
Over time these standards have fluctuated and are eased when the needs exceed availability.
And be sure to read the fine print. Be sure you know will happens if, for some reason, you do not qualify for or complete flight training.
I remember at one base, one of my crew chiefs (SPC) had attended West Point but left during his junior year and thus was required to serve a 4 year enlisted commitment to complete his military obligation.
I will graduate in 2013 if things go to plan. Lots of hurdles to get through before then though. I have been reading and learning about the academy and the air force for four years now, so I like to think I know what I'm about to get myself into.
It's interesting that the WP student would choose to leave in the junior year. A cadet can leave anytime during the first two years without any obligation. The commitment begins on day one of year three. Any idea if it was by choice or if he was separated for some violation?
If you really want this, Dukey- go do it. Regret is not a good thing. I don't think you'd regret this no matter what. You might regret NOT doing it.
Let's see, that means you will report to the USAFA this summer. July?
Good luck on making it through to graduation.
Academics if memory serves.
The academies tend to have a fairly rigorous academic schedule -- especially when combined with the extra curricular activities (military and other) that a cadet must accomplish.
Agree.
It is said, when looking back on life when you are on your deathbed that usually you don't regret things that you've done, but rather things you didn't do.
I think there is a lot of truth in those words.
Yep. I've made it a point to at least try everything I've ever wanted to do. Life's too damn short to waste it lying around on the couch doing nothing.
Let's see, that means you will report to the USAFA this summer. July?
Good luck on making it through to graduation.
Academics if memory serves.
The academies tend to have a fairly rigorous academic schedule -- especially when combined with the extra curricular activities (military and other) that a cadet must accomplish.
June 25.
That just happens to be 28 days, 6 hours from now (not that I'm counting down my days of freedom ). And thanks! Of course, I'm not looking at graduation (from USAFA, bring on HS) right now. Rather looking towards small goals... making it through BCT, then fourth class year, and so on. And an academic separation would make sense for the reason you stated above. It would not have made sense if it was a voluntary separation for the reason I wrote about earlier.
Not necessarily as relevant to the situation, but what you wrote reminded me of the saying that it is easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.
I would venture to say that your first day at the USAFA will be one of the longest days of your life.June 25.
I have known some who voluntarily separated after their commitment date because they decided that becoming a commissioned officer was not what they wanted to do.
I didn't want to taint you too much!
So true!
Duke, you've gone silent.
What's up? Anymore questions about aviation or the military.
Please PM me if you want.
I would venture to say that your first day at the USAFA will be one of the longest days of your life.
I have known some who voluntarily separated after their commitment date because they decided that becoming a commissioned officer was not what they wanted to do.
I didn't want to taint you too much!
So true!
Duke, you've gone silent.
What's up? Anymore questions about aviation or the military.
Please PM me if you want.
I know! Duke- where you at?
I would venture to say that your first day at the USAFA will be one of the longest days of your life.
The first day of entering any military service is the longest day of your life.
Only if you enlist once. Have a break in service and go through the first day a second time, and that's the longest one.
Duke - having had a 20-some odd year multi-service career (including some, um, "joint" tours ), I can tell you that the trite expressions about serving are true, those being that you only get out of it what you put in, and that you should never plan on a career. It's most definitely a one-day-at-a-time thing. Feel free to PM me should you have any questions.
Maybe he is being held hostage by a cute Marine!
Stop it! That's happened to me before. You're bringing back memories.
Stop it! That's happened to me before. You're bringing back memories.
But, you're enjoying those memories.
Absolutely, I will have been in for 8 in July, and I still haven't decided to make it a career yet. Once you reach 10 years, if you reenlist, it becomes indefinite - luckily, I will get to reenlist once more before I make 10 - leaving my option to get out at 14 or 15 open.