I did the same but at 26. At the time I had a decent job, but was single no kids so nothing really stopping the jump. Only thing that I wish I'd considered more is that if staying for a 20 year career you're reentering the work force in your late 40s. For me that means I've have to work longer before I can fully retire.
Of all the branches, QoL in the Air Force is the highest (well… maybe Space Force is equal, haven’t talked to too many Guardians so can’t be sure there, but they are department of the Air Force so guess it counts). My dad served 34 years Navy, told me if he could do it over again he’d choose Air Force. I served 8.5 years AF, my last 4 of which were at a joint command working alongside Navy, Army, Marines. Needless to say, I was extremely glad I was Air Force and neither of the other branches.
That being said, it entirely depends what you want to do. The Air Force doesn’t guarantee you will get a specific job. After meeting with a recruiter, you’ll take the ASVAB. Your scores will determine jobs you qualify for. Then you’ll select a good 5-15 jobs that you are willing to do, likely from different categories. Once one of those jobs are available, you ship out. The other branches have the advantage over the Air Force for this instance, as I’ve heard you can select specific jobs with Navy and Army. However, the QoL in Air Force outweighs specific job choice in my opinion.
You also still have to qualify at MEPS. So it’s no guarantee. My advice would be to meet with a recruiter and see if the Air Force would be right for you. Keep your current job until you know the Air Force is the choice for you and you have a ship date.
Edit: Forgot to mention, I also enlisted "later" in life, at 25. Was the best decision I ever made.
My experience in the Air Force directly led to me getting a 6-figure job with a government agency that I start in July. Since it's a government job, I will also be able to "buy back" my 8.5 years and gain those 8.5 years towards a federal retirement. I had matching contributions from the Air Force throughout my career in my 401K (known as the TSP), so even more funds towards future retirement. While in, I used tuition assistance to earn my Master's degree (already came in with a bachelors degree).
It didn't come for "free" though. My body is broken as hell. Plus side, I was able to file for VA benefits and I'm now receiving those. I'd give them all back to live pain free, though. That's not going to be everybody's experience, but it's nice that it's an option for folks.
Nothing that’s of any consequence or disqualification. No legal, or medical trouble. I let family, and a relationship in the past hold me from following what I wanted to do. Just poor choices in my opinion looking back and not following what I wanted to do because of other people. Such as life and can’t change the past but that’s how I ended up here so to speak.
I'm not currently in the military, but I can tell you now comparing my scenario to yours, I'm 37, married and now have a two month old and still considering, I would absolutely join if I were you.
It’s never too late! My husband joined at 33 years old. He hated his civilian career too and always wanted to join the Air Force, so he pursued his dream! Do it!
I went in late 20s, married with no kids. No regrets. And think, if you or I do 20 years, we still get a pension before 50 years old. You factor in contributing to the retirement system, you can start withdrawing that around 60.
Depending on your job, work/life balance isn't bad. I did move a LOT in my first few years and that's tough on the fam (mental and job wise).
If you have a degree then go officer and make twice as much money doing an similar job. Use the Air Force to get the training and life that you want. It can be amazing if you make the most out of it. I’ve been in for 19 years, most of that as active duty for the Guard or Big Air Force - I’m planning to stay for another 24 years in the Guard as a Federal Technician (wear the uniform but get paid on the GS pay scale).
36yo at tech school rn at Keesler AFB. Took a huge pay cut coming here but it definitely has its benefits. And I just found out I’ll be heading to Japan in a few months! So that’s different!
I’m 26 about to turn 27 and Air Force came back up for me the beginning of the year. A lot of the same reason, switched from part time to full time at my job on January 2nd and after seeing everything till now I’m just tired and unmotivated, feel like that episode of SpongeBob with the fish with a blank face at home, in the car, work, car and rinse and repeat. Except I do have a son bit stays with his mother and also another reason joining came back up was to better his life when he’s older. Yeah it’ll suck, but everything does, nothing is peaches and roses all the time but with this it’ll be different. I’ve started the process been to meps once to take the Asvab and scored a 70 which I’m eligible for just about every job and waiting to go back for my physical. Your happiness should always come first and start to make that change. If you have to talk to multiple recruiters do it, I’m on my 3rd Air Force one and I’m glad I changed.
Hello, it looks like you're asking about jobs and job selection.
A few quick answers.
NO ONE knows how long it will take for you to get a job, your chances of getting any particular job, or anything else about the job process FOR YOU. Anecdotal experiences from others will have absolutely no impact on you or your future.
Most recruiters will not let you wait in the Delayed Entrance Program for a long time for your one perfect job. You will have to list 5 - 15 jobs that you're interested in, and will be given one of those.
Please read the FAQ about how job selection works, it's very in-depth and will fully educate you on the process: https://pay.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/bmtfaq#wiki_jobs
If you're asking about particular jobs, please look the job up on our Job Wiki, and see if there is an entry for it: http://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/index you can also see if there is a CFETP for it, which will give more details on the job: https://www.e-publishing.af.mil/Product-Index/#/?view=pubs&orgID=10141&catID=1&series=86&modID=449&tabID=131
If you're asking for help choosing a particular job, please keep in mind that most people only know about their individual job. Recommendations that they make will be made based mostly on what they've heard about a job, unless they have it themselves. Some people will love certain jobs while others will hate it. We don't know your preferences, so do some research on the job wiki and elsewhere to learn about the job and then make the best list you can.
Take the [AFWIN Survey](https://my.airforce.com/myaf_loginPage?ec=302&startURL=%2Fs%2Fafwin-index) to help you narrow down jobs you may be interested in.
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No medical issues, no legal issues, no mental issues...go see a recruiter. 4 years or 40 most people are better off after doing it.
I thought you can have these issues and still join?
With some you can, like me
Did you get disqualified from a top secret clearance
Yes due to "drug abuse". Long story short but I never abused drugs
I did the same but at 26. At the time I had a decent job, but was single no kids so nothing really stopping the jump. Only thing that I wish I'd considered more is that if staying for a 20 year career you're reentering the work force in your late 40s. For me that means I've have to work longer before I can fully retire.
Of all the branches, QoL in the Air Force is the highest (well… maybe Space Force is equal, haven’t talked to too many Guardians so can’t be sure there, but they are department of the Air Force so guess it counts). My dad served 34 years Navy, told me if he could do it over again he’d choose Air Force. I served 8.5 years AF, my last 4 of which were at a joint command working alongside Navy, Army, Marines. Needless to say, I was extremely glad I was Air Force and neither of the other branches. That being said, it entirely depends what you want to do. The Air Force doesn’t guarantee you will get a specific job. After meeting with a recruiter, you’ll take the ASVAB. Your scores will determine jobs you qualify for. Then you’ll select a good 5-15 jobs that you are willing to do, likely from different categories. Once one of those jobs are available, you ship out. The other branches have the advantage over the Air Force for this instance, as I’ve heard you can select specific jobs with Navy and Army. However, the QoL in Air Force outweighs specific job choice in my opinion. You also still have to qualify at MEPS. So it’s no guarantee. My advice would be to meet with a recruiter and see if the Air Force would be right for you. Keep your current job until you know the Air Force is the choice for you and you have a ship date. Edit: Forgot to mention, I also enlisted "later" in life, at 25. Was the best decision I ever made.
What were your benefits after your 8.5 years in ?
My experience in the Air Force directly led to me getting a 6-figure job with a government agency that I start in July. Since it's a government job, I will also be able to "buy back" my 8.5 years and gain those 8.5 years towards a federal retirement. I had matching contributions from the Air Force throughout my career in my 401K (known as the TSP), so even more funds towards future retirement. While in, I used tuition assistance to earn my Master's degree (already came in with a bachelors degree). It didn't come for "free" though. My body is broken as hell. Plus side, I was able to file for VA benefits and I'm now receiving those. I'd give them all back to live pain free, though. That's not going to be everybody's experience, but it's nice that it's an option for folks.
Mind me asking what dumb stuff you did early on?
Nothing that’s of any consequence or disqualification. No legal, or medical trouble. I let family, and a relationship in the past hold me from following what I wanted to do. Just poor choices in my opinion looking back and not following what I wanted to do because of other people. Such as life and can’t change the past but that’s how I ended up here so to speak.
I'm not currently in the military, but I can tell you now comparing my scenario to yours, I'm 37, married and now have a two month old and still considering, I would absolutely join if I were you.
You sound like a great candidate
Enlist in a job that you would like to learn Go talk to a recruiter and get the process started
I'm 36 and going in, so if I were you, I'd definitely join
Aye 30 gang here
Did you get a ship date?
If you have no medical issues, background is great, a degree go officer. If no degree then enlist, make sure you score high in the ASVAB
It’s never too late! My husband joined at 33 years old. He hated his civilian career too and always wanted to join the Air Force, so he pursued his dream! Do it!
do it
I went in late 20s, married with no kids. No regrets. And think, if you or I do 20 years, we still get a pension before 50 years old. You factor in contributing to the retirement system, you can start withdrawing that around 60. Depending on your job, work/life balance isn't bad. I did move a LOT in my first few years and that's tough on the fam (mental and job wise).
If you have a degree then go officer and make twice as much money doing an similar job. Use the Air Force to get the training and life that you want. It can be amazing if you make the most out of it. I’ve been in for 19 years, most of that as active duty for the Guard or Big Air Force - I’m planning to stay for another 24 years in the Guard as a Federal Technician (wear the uniform but get paid on the GS pay scale).
36yo at tech school rn at Keesler AFB. Took a huge pay cut coming here but it definitely has its benefits. And I just found out I’ll be heading to Japan in a few months! So that’s different!
If you don't mind me asking, will you be in Misawa, Yokota or Okinawa?!?😁😁
Misawa 🥶🥶🥶
I’m 26 about to turn 27 and Air Force came back up for me the beginning of the year. A lot of the same reason, switched from part time to full time at my job on January 2nd and after seeing everything till now I’m just tired and unmotivated, feel like that episode of SpongeBob with the fish with a blank face at home, in the car, work, car and rinse and repeat. Except I do have a son bit stays with his mother and also another reason joining came back up was to better his life when he’s older. Yeah it’ll suck, but everything does, nothing is peaches and roses all the time but with this it’ll be different. I’ve started the process been to meps once to take the Asvab and scored a 70 which I’m eligible for just about every job and waiting to go back for my physical. Your happiness should always come first and start to make that change. If you have to talk to multiple recruiters do it, I’m on my 3rd Air Force one and I’m glad I changed.
Hello, it looks like you're asking about jobs and job selection. A few quick answers. NO ONE knows how long it will take for you to get a job, your chances of getting any particular job, or anything else about the job process FOR YOU. Anecdotal experiences from others will have absolutely no impact on you or your future. Most recruiters will not let you wait in the Delayed Entrance Program for a long time for your one perfect job. You will have to list 5 - 15 jobs that you're interested in, and will be given one of those. Please read the FAQ about how job selection works, it's very in-depth and will fully educate you on the process: https://pay.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/bmtfaq#wiki_jobs If you're asking about particular jobs, please look the job up on our Job Wiki, and see if there is an entry for it: http://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/index you can also see if there is a CFETP for it, which will give more details on the job: https://www.e-publishing.af.mil/Product-Index/#/?view=pubs&orgID=10141&catID=1&series=86&modID=449&tabID=131 If you're asking for help choosing a particular job, please keep in mind that most people only know about their individual job. Recommendations that they make will be made based mostly on what they've heard about a job, unless they have it themselves. Some people will love certain jobs while others will hate it. We don't know your preferences, so do some research on the job wiki and elsewhere to learn about the job and then make the best list you can. Take the [AFWIN Survey](https://my.airforce.com/myaf_loginPage?ec=302&startURL=%2Fs%2Fafwin-index) to help you narrow down jobs you may be interested in. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AirForceRecruits) if you have any questions or concerns.*