Air Force or Navy?

[theFONZ]

Don't get hung up on being an officer. They may get paid more (unless you get bonuses and special pays :-) but they have to deal with a lot more BS and politics. The military is not what it was years ago, a Sergeant or Petty Officer has tons of responsibility and they are the ones that make the mission happen. As far as pay goes, a mid level enlisted rank lives quite comfortably.

Everyone thinks they want to be an officer, but I think that's usually either a romantic notion from a bygone era, or because they want to get paid more.

With his degree, he will come into the Air Force as a E3, get E4 a couple years later and be eligible for E5 a year or so after that.

I'd tell him to pick a job he wants to do and pursue that. Rank, pay, and all that is secondary.

[LeeH]

Have him watch every episode of Carrier. After the last episode, he'll know whether or not the Navy is for him. My daughter is a sophomore and currently planning on joining the Navy. She's been talking about attending the Naval academy, but unless something changes soon, I doubt her grades will get her there.

Carrier is on Amazon Prime... or can be watched here:

CARRIER . Full Episodes | PBS

[sc_rufctr]

[T77911S]

the best advise? DO NOT trust the recruiter.

recent example:
guy's son here at work wanted to go into the navy as a cop. recruiter told him he could not guarantee his job going in but for now he would have to go in as a cook and maybe he could change later.
I told that's BS and for his son to wait even though they kept telling him they could not get him the job he wanted. he waited, they folded, he got the job he wanted.,

AF is a better way of life in and out of the military.
the job he selects is VERY important.
I selected electronics (ATC radar ) back in 86, now I make 100k+
just make sure he gets a job that can be used out of the military.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by T77911S

just make sure he gets a job that can be used out of the military.

Best advice yet!

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by T77911S

the best advise? DO NOT trust the recruiter...

+1, they work on quotas of what is need it at the time.

Its the same everywhere.

[Sunroof]

Marc. How fast time goes by. The last time I saw your son he was just a kid! Glad to hear he made it through college (where did he graduate?) with a respectable GPA. I was surprised to hear that the Air Force and Navy requires a GPA of 3.5 to be an officer. I can only assume that the thinning of the military ranks has now created so much competition for Officer candidates that such a high GPA is necessary. Given that, as an Air Force veteran I would suggest the Air Force Reserves or Air National Guard for officer training. Does he want to fly and has the recruiter mentioned the possibility of flight training? Have you taken him up and has he logged in any flight time? To me, the differences between an Officer and Enlisted Rank is night and day!
As an E-4 or E-5 (Sgt) he might end up in a management role, however, I feel overall the perks and privileges of Officer status make it more attractive. Tough choice, big commitment either way. Keep the "wild blue yonder" in the family...........................

Best of luck..................and one more note. I do not trust Recruiters!!!!!!! They pulled my son into the Marines and it did not turn out well for him. Caution pal.

Bob

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Sunroof

I was surprised to hear that the Air Force requires a GPA of 3.5 to be an officer.

And a tech degree... However, most change after getting the EA, and finish with an easier degree... AFOQT is important, however, your commanders ranking is more. IMHO it has turned into a popularity contest at the rotc level then of the yesteryears especially when it comes down to rated... I personally know kids that the cadre forgot to send in their "packet" for field training selection...

Navy is different, and imho a better more systematic system...
Army rotc takes everyone. All the kids that do the 2 yrs in afrotc, but does not make the EA selection are gladly picked up by Army. However, the competition for army is active/reserve... some it doesn't matter as you're receiving scholarship either way...

My two cents.

[BE911SC]

You do realize that he's off to Afghanistan and Iraq (etc.) once he's trained? No one escapes Middle East duty anymore, especially the enlisted troops.

I was in the USAF as a pilot for 9.5 years and chafed at the puritanism and the evangelical types who seemed to gravitate into positions of power or at least close to those in power. I used to say that if you get caught laughing or just having a nice day then one of the evangelical puritans will tell on you and/or ruin your day. OTOH, it always seemed that the navy guys cared a lot less about stupid stuff--that the USAF SAC and training command types thrived on. You can see it in the differences between the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds. The BLues put on a more raucous show and do not care if the politicians of San Francisco object to the very low flying over the city. The Blues will just say fine, we'll take our show somewhere else. The T-birds put on a good show too but I can see the restraint applied to their show by the puritans in power. Not as devil-may-care as the Blues. Again, I was an air force pilot for 9.5 years and was in the thick of things.

[rattlsnak]

Thanks all... Definitely a lot to think about. and I totally agree about a useful job skill set when he gets out and that is a priority. He is leaning towards the Guard or Reserves now but not completely. And Bob, he has no interest to fly! WTH???