WHY JOIN THE AIR FORCE?

When serving in the military, you’ll come across a lot of different people from all different walks of life. You’ll sometimes find that people joined for the same reasons as you, or they joined for reasons you never even thought of before. Some people join because that’s what their family has always done. But for many of us, we are looking at the military as a way to serve our country but also set up our future to take care of ourselves and our family. At the end of the day you’ll have to decide why you want to join the military or more specifically the United States Air Force. If you aren’t for sure why to join here are some main reasons why a lot of people do join, which of these fit you?

To be a part of something bigger than yourself

This might be the biggest reason people join. A lot of times we can find ourselves stuck in a place we don’t want to be doing a job we don’t want to do and we feel like we lack a purpose. The military has a huge responsibility of protecting our country and aiding others and its mission is known and appreciated by nearly every US citizen. So don’t feel bad if you feel like your current life is lacking a purpose, many of us are or have been in your shoes. The military can definitely make you proud of what you’re doing with your life and give you a sense of meaning and accomplishment.

To Serve the United States of America

This is possibly the most passionate reason people join but it also one that comes and goes with generations based on events or family history. Some people have a family history of serving the United States. Some however have no family tie to wanting to serve but want to because of an event like 9/11. September 11, 2001 was a day this country will never forget, but it won’t be a day everyone will remember. The youngest people joining the military currently, were born after the attack on the twin towers. For many of us over the past 2 decades (including myself) we were alive and personally affected by that terrorist attack on our country and it drove us to want to do something to protect our country and the ones we love. There are many small events or situations that can cause one to feel the need to serve and protect our country.

To get an education and pay for college

This is one of the greatest benefits the military offers. Not only do you get paid to learn a new job and the training can count towards a college degree, but you can also have college courses paid for while you’re serving. By serving you’ll earn the GI Bills which can not only pay for your schooling, but pay you to go to school. You can use them while you’re in, but most people use them after they finish their time in the service. You can opt into the Montgomery GI Bill when you first join and it will cost $100 for the first 12 months. Or you can opt out of the Montgomery GI Bill and just go straight to the Post 9/11 GI Bill for free. If you do opt into the Montgomery GI Bill you can opt out at any time to go to the Post 9/11, but once you do, you can’t go back. Each GI bill has different benefits. To sum it up. the Montgomery GI Bill is a good option if you want to attend a cheaper college and do part time. The Post 9/11 is better if you want to attend an expensive college and/or go to school full time.

A stable job and income

You know how long you’ll have steady pay and benefits for to plan your next chapter in life. Stability is a huge motivator for a lot of people, especially when you have a family you need to provide for. As far as the pay goes, if you live on base you won’t be paying housing or utility expenses. If you live off base the military will give you what is called BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) which is adjusted each year to cover the average cost of housing wherever you are stationed.

Health benefits

Health care is expensive! Thankfully the Air Force along with all the military branches over excellent health care benefits. The total cost to have TRICARE while serving is free to you and only a few hundred dollars a year to cover your spouse and children Dental & Vison. In the civilian side of things it can cost a few hundred dollars a month, per person.

Also in the military you’ll be able to go to the on-base hospital or clinic and sometimes have the option to have an off base doctor or go to urgent care locations for no extra cost. Overall the health benefits are great especially for a family. If you plan on having kids while you’re in, those expenses will be covered by the military’s health care as well. Almost no companies in the civilian side can compete with the health care benefits the military offers.

Retirement and Pension

The retirement benefits and pension that the military offers is nearly untouchable by any civilian company. Many companies over the years have eliminated their pension plans and only offer a 401k now for employees. The military has a TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) which is the equivalent of a 401k. The military will also match up to 5% of you base pay if you put 5% or more into your TSP each month. You can put into your TSP but can start to pull out until 59.5 years old. It’s an investment portfolio that you are earning a return on each year depending on which funds you invest in.

As far as the military pension goes in the military. you’ll earn 2% of your base pay for every year you serve starting at 20 years when you reach eligibility to retire. If you do 20 years you’ll earn 50% (20 years X 2.5% = 50%) of your base pay the rest of you life. If you do 30 years you’ll earn 75% of your base pay the rest of your life. You’ll also earn health care benefits for you and your family for life if you do 20+ years.

If you are joining at 18 you could retire at 38 years old and have income and health care for your family for life and still be young enough to start another career. Overall the military offers one of the most attractive retirement plans available today.

To leave home and travel

The military can offer some amazing travel opportunities. Some people join and end up overseas, or any Air Force or Joint Base in the United States. You can also get other opportunities to travel besides your home station. There are deployments usually 4-8 months and also TDYs (Temporary Duty) which are usually short training missions that can range from 1 week to 6 months.

To learn and get experience in a job

Not many if any companies will hire a 17 year old with no job experience or skills and pay them to learn a job and offer them benefits to do so. The military is a great opportunity to learn something new and get paid to do it. Unlike college, where you pay to go to learn one of the many Air Force Jobs, the military will pay you to learn and move you. This is a big reason many people join. For some people college is too expensive but they don’t want to be stuck doing an entry level job their whole life. If you are looking for a career opportunity that can open several doors for your finances and future then the Air Force is definitely a good option.

To live a physically fit lifestyle

The military has fitness standards while most jobs in the civilian world don’t require or care about your physical fitness levels. This results in many people wanting to join to help them maintain a certain fitness standard. Depending on your job the fitness standards can be different and the workout schedule can differ drastically. Some jobs and squadrons do organized PT while others do individual PT. I personally was always at places that did individual PT so I was expected to do PT outside of work on my own time.

JOINING REQUIREMENTS

A general guideline to Air Force joining requirements

Age: 17 with guardian approval. 18 to 39 years old. You must leave for BMT before your 40th birthday.

Height and Weight: The Air Force has strict height and weight requirements. Work hard to make sure you’re within the requirements.

Health and Vision: Recruits must be in good health, Each person is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Citizenship: Non-citizens can enlist if they have a valid Green Card but will be limited in the jobs they qualify for.

Education: Have a high school diploma or a GED. You can join without them, but on a case-by-case basis.

Marriage and Dependents: You can join if you are married and/or have children. Some situations may require a waiver.

Tattoos, Brands and Piercings: If you plan to get a tattoo or body modification it is best to wait until after you’ve joined. Designs that are obscene or advocate sexual, racial, ethnic or religious discrimination are not allowed. Tattoos and brands are prohibited on the head, neck, face, tongue, lips, and scalp. Hand tattoos limited to 25% of the hand. Piercings when removed can’t leave a hole large enough for light to be shown through.

Drug Use: Usually substance abuse is disqualifying. However, prior marijuana use without legal issues in itself is not disqualifying. Discuss with a recruiter to determine if you are eligible.

Criminal Records: Felonies almost always will disqualify you depending on what it was. Other criminal charges can affect eligibility as well. It is always best to stay out of legal trouble if you are planning on pursuing the Air Force.

Test Scores: High School graduates must score a 31 or higher on the ASVAB to qualify for the Air Force.

If you have any further questions: Talk to a recruiter. This sounds like a general knowledge answer, but they are the ones who have the final say on if you can join or not.