Community Discussions
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How has the Air Force changed your life?
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I’m 23, & I’m thinking about joining the Air Force for a four year contract. I’m a college dropout & I’ve been working two jobs in my hometown & I just want something better for my life. Joining has been heavily on my mind. I want to be able to meet new people, learn new skills, buy a house, my dream car, etc. I just wanted to know how has the Air Force (or the military in general) changed your life for the better? I just want to hear some motivational stories lol.
Top Comment: Before Homeless in Detroit Today Own a 750K house about 5 miles from the coast in South Florida Collect 4 checks a months Military Retirement, Civilian Retirement, Social Security and TSP Net almost 10K a month
What are the pros and cons of the Air Force?
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My mother and I were arguing about joining the Air Force and she stated that I’ll be signing up for death due to conflict going on. I mean I already have healthcare and a degree. I’m 28 and would like to leave town. I’ve been waiting on the US Marshals for a call for no response. The fire station has a pt test that I’m working on but we’ll see how that goes.I do want a place to live away from my parents without suffering financially. What are the unfiltered pros and cons without the fake Tik-Tok videos and recruiters trying to get you to sign? Any negatives to I should know about? I do know they’ll have you in Reserves after you’re done. They can control your contract too correct?
Top Comment: You're 28, why are you arguing with your mom? Go join the AF.
Why does everyone say only join the Air Force?
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I've heard so many people say only join the Air Force, but I don't fully understand why. I asked what if I don't want to join the Air Force and they said "join the Coast Guard, but DONT join the marines." Anytime I ask why, they just said "trust me" 💀
Can someone explain it to me in elaborate but simple terms?
Top Comment: Climate. If you have technical job why wouldn’t you take a better environment? If it’s a tactical job, pursue the best units you can, it’s your life you’re life gambling with.
Is the air force worth it?
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I’m F20 and just recently started considering if I should enlist. I have a decent full time job as a barista making $17.50 per hour. I’ve been with this job for over a year, and I feel like i’m at a point of my life where i’m stuck. there’s no opportunity for me to grow here, but it’s the best paying job in my area with no degree. I’ve been looking into going to college for dental hygiene, but I just can’t afford it out of pocket. I was stupid in high school and didn’t take my education as serious as I should’ve, one of my biggest regrets, so scholarships aren’t an option. It seems like the only option I have now is to enlist so I can go to college debt free. I don’t want to be stuck as a food service worker for my whole life. I just want to know if it’s genuinely worth committing four years of my life? I’m not worried about the physical aspect of it since I workout regularly, except for running that definitely needs working on. But i’m worried more for the mental aspect of it all, worried that i’ll regret it. But at the same time I feel like sacrificing four years of my life for a better future is more important than my own short term happiness. I just want to know how everyone’s experience was in the air force, and if it’s something I should invest into.
Top Comment: Yes. A 4-year active duty commitment creates new and unique opportunities while securing tangible benefits ... not going for it, will cause proportionally more regret with no meaningful gains. Hesitation is natural ... it’s a big challenge and push out of your comfort zone. Every single reason to join you cited is valid itself ... when multiple factors align towards enlisting it’s a good indicator that your gut feeling is steering you in the right direction. Get after it!
Wondering why IAF (India) seems to have such a bad rep here? What are some actual problems with them.
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hello new to the sub and i’m new to this kind of discourse in general. I saw a lot of discourse here about the recent skirmishes between india and pakistan and it included a lot of criticisms of IAF as a institution. So yeah just wondering why is that. I don’t have much knowledge about this but would love to know more.
Top Comment: Almost every type of fighter IAF equipped has crashed several planes in last decade. IAF should take it seriously
How has the Air Force changed your life overall?
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How did the Air Force change your situation financially, mentally, spiritually, etc. ?
I did ask this before but I want to hear more stories! Currently 22 been working dead end jobs since graduating 2020. I want to get out this cycle. I’m currently on a weight loss journey & working multiple jobs to pay off cc debt so that I can enlist in 2025.
Hearing your stories would really help motivate me even more for the future!
Top Comment: i just hit my year mark so take it as you will. hands down greatest decision i’ve made for my life (still some ups and downs with the occasional headache). 1) one of the biggest things i’ve improved on taking things in stride and tempering expectations. things move on military time which can be exhausting and slow. 2) learned more about myself and my social life. my base is a very hands on community (too much for ME, but perfect for the people missing home) which is great for when you really need someone to lean on. 3) ts is NOT anything like how they portray it in BMT which is good and bad. good cuz you feel like you’re working with real humans and not just pencil pushers bad cuz bmt is easily the best part of your entire career (literally all you had to do was what you’re told, going back to being a free thinker is killing me sometimes 😭). all in all i love this job. go for it! it helps set you up with some great tools for life (finance, health, community, etc)
Is the airforce worth it??
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- I made a post about the navy (see my page) and alot of feedback was given that the Airforce is better *
I recently thought about joining the military, specifically. I have no interest in joining the military but because of my housing and financial struggles, I feel like I have no other option. I have been homeless for about 9 months and I am currently unemployed. I’ve been searching jobs for months with no luck and honestly Idk how to get out of this. My family has always struggled but this i the lowest we’ve ever been. I thought of every option but I just feel stuck and have no help or way out. I’ve always wanted to go to school to be RN but could never afford school or get financial aid. I feel the military would help me alot out with that as well my financial and housing issues. Is the military worth joining? I know it’s a huge commitment and risk, I don’t know if i’m fully ready for it. I just need to escape.
Top Comment: Yeah the Air Force is better in the sense you'll have more quality of life, and generally be happier. There just isn't as much bullshit as the other branches. No long ass deployments at sea, no 24 hour army cq duty, no crayons to eat. It isnt without it's issues and sometimes big blue fucks you but it's way less. With that said, it is 100% worse if you need waivers, in the sense it's harder to qualify for the Air Force. We're not as desperate for applicants as the Army or Navy is. A lot of things you might not think are disqualifying will be. Going to college while in is the standard. However, it's one of those branches you need to be committed to get into. Recruiters generally don't want to waste time unless you're really set to go.