Any Current or Former Air Force Here?

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Thinking of joining and working towards becoming an officer sometime soon. I have a master's degree so I can go to OTS after basic training but have heard that the selection board for Air Force officers is particularly competitive these days. I'm 24, have a master's degree in homeland security, athletic, and believe I possess good leadership qualities. Passing the exam should not be an issue. I plan on speaking with a recruiter soon but just wanted to hear from some people on here with military experience about the whole process of becoming an officer after completing basic. Once an officer, I'd like to do something intelligence or security related. What could I expect my salary to be as a commissioned officer with 0-2 years experience? How many years would I be required to serve at a minimum? Can they require me to move anywhere they say or would I be able to select my preferences? 

 

My goal is to ultimately work for the federal government so former military tend to transition easier to that sector. 

[cookinwithgas]

Looks like no one wants to admit being in the Air Force. Don't blame them.

 

Join the Navy like a real man. Just not as real as the nuts in the Army or Marines.

[Guest Dark Knight]

Looks like no one wants to admit being in the Air Force. Don't blame them.

Join the Navy like a real man. Just not as real as the nuts in the Army or Marines.

Incorrect.

The US Navy is the best of the best and the baddest of the baddest. Hand down.

They are the most powerful division of the military with the best pilots and the best combat soldiers.

[Guest Dark Knight]

OP...

Forget it. Your college education means poo compared to kids who started planning for a military career in the 8th/9th grade.

You'll never get ahead of them.

[philp]

Batman is full of poo. I was enlisted in the af from 06-10. I worked in a Intel squadron for two years and then a communications sq for two years. The training was very hands-on compared to what you see elsewhere. I got a few certifications along the way that are good for life and still have money to finish school (had no problem finding work when I got out. Unfortunately, my job now pays just enough for me to not go back to school. Also, I love being back in nc, havent missed a panthers game since). One thing you have to keep in mind is this, the af has currently opened voluneetired separation. They are cutting jobs. They did something simular in 05-06 where almost 40,000 enlisted and 4,000 officer jobs weren't needed. Just don't talk to a recruiter at the mall. Find an officer recruiting office on a college campus. Big thing now is having an education that can relate to an af job. They don't like criminal records, tattoos, and fat people. Sounds like you fit the bill. Good luck. And also, most af bases are stationed near cities. Beats the hell out of being stuck in the middle of bum fug Alabama.

[philp]

And also, having the af pay for a security clearance is a very good thing. Makes it worth giving a few years to your country.

[philp]

Haha and I forgot to mention, ots or officer training school is in fact, in alabama. Hahahahaha. Didn't realize that when I typed out the last post.

[332nd]

Unless they've changed a lot of things, you'll most likely go in at E-4. You'll be making about $24,000 a year until you get through OTS. Pay for an O-1 (what you'll start out as once you finish OTS.) is about $43,000 a year. Add to that, housing, family, etc... you'll get a bit more.

Make sure you explain what you want to do, make sure you get a clear answer from him about OTS, THEN FIND SOMEONE WHO WENT TO OTS, PREFERABLY IN THE JOB YOU WANT, & CONFIRM IT!!!! I am in no way, shape or form joking when I say that! I know a lot of guys who thought they were going to the Green Berets, or OTS right out of basic.

You can request a duty station, but if they want you somewhere else, that is where you're going.

[MichaelNewtonII]

Thinking of joining and working towards becoming an officer sometime soon. I have a master's degree so I can go to OTS after basic training but have heard that the selection board for Air Force officers is particularly competitive these days. I'm 24, have a master's degree in homeland security, athletic, and believe I possess good leadership qualities. Passing the exam should not be an issue. I plan on speaking with a recruiter soon but just wanted to hear from some people on here with military experience about the whole process of becoming an officer after completing basic. Once an officer, I'd like to do something intelligence or security related. What could I expect my salary to be as a commissioned officer with 0-2 years experience? How many years would I be required to serve at a minimum? Can they require me to move anywhere they say or would I be able to select my preferences?

My goal is to ultimately work for the federal government so former military tend to transition easier to that sector.

I thought u had gigs in the NFL?

Sent from my SGH-T399 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[332nd]

Batman is full of poo. I was enlisted in the af from 06-10. I worked in a Intel squadron for two years and then a communications sq for two years. The training was very hands-on compared to what you see elsewhere. I got a few certifications along the way that are good for life and still have money to finish school (had no problem finding work when I got out. Unfortunately, my job now pays just enough for me to not go back to school. Also, I love being back in nc, havent missed a panthers game since). One thing you have to keep in mind is this, the af has currently opened voluneetired separation. They are cutting jobs. They did something simular in 05-06 where almost 40,000 enlisted and 4,000 officer jobs weren't needed. Just don't talk to a recruiter at the mall. Find an officer recruiting office on a college campus. Big thing now is having an education that can relate to an af job. They don't like criminal records, tattoos, and fat people. Sounds like you fit the bill. Good luck. And also, most af bases are stationed near cities. Beats the hell out of being stuck in the middle of bum fug Alabama.

That's funny to me because grandad was Tuskeege Airman & whenever someone asked what they did in Alabama he'd say, " Flew a lot... & explain to all of the guys from NYC, Chicago, Detroit, etc... why they should never go off base..."

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

I thought u had gigs in the NFL?

Sent from my SGH-T399 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

I worked for both the Patriots and Chargers in the last year. Unfortunately, I did not land the job I applied for with the NFL in New York despite my contacts, references, and experience. I then reached out to the NFL PA and discussed opportunities with their director of security only to find out that he is basically a one man show and doesn't have a staff of his own. He advised me to get some experience in either the military or federal law enforcement and then transfer over to the league security division. Right now I'm just weighing my options while waiting to hear back from some government agencies. I am keeping my eye on the NFL careers page tho... but they just get so many applicants and my contact that works for NFL that I shadowed in San Diego said most jobs go to family and friends of high ranking nfl officials unfortunately.

[Chimera]

Every single military intelligence person I've met eventually becomes a hardcore conspiracy theorist.... no matter how sane they were before.

[Guest Dark Knight]

I worked for both the Patriots and Chargers in the last year. Unfortunately, I did not land the job I applied for with the NFL in New York despite my contacts, references, and experience. I then reached out to the NFL PA and discussed opportunities with their director of security only to find out that he is basically a one man show and doesn't have a staff of his own. He advised me to get some experience in either the military or federal law enforcement and then transfer over to the league security division. Right now I'm just weighing my options while waiting to hear back from some government agencies. I am keeping my eye on the NFL careers page tho... but they just get so many applicants and my contact that works for NFL that I shadowed in San Diego said most jobs go to family and friends of high ranking nfl officials unfortunately.

That's everywhere, not just the NFL. It's all about who you know.

[philp]

Unless they've changed a lot of things, you'll most likely go in at E-4. You'll be making about $24,000 a year until you get through OTS. Pay for an O-1 (what you'll start out as once you finish OTS.) is about $43,000 a year. Add to that, housing, family, etc... you'll get a bit more.

Make sure you explain what you want to do, make sure you get a clear answer from him about OTS, THEN FIND SOMEONE WHO WENT TO OTS, PREFERABLY IN THE JOB YOU WANT, & CONFIRM IT!!!! I am in no way, shape or form joking when I say that! I know a lot of guys who thought they were going to the Green Berets, or OTS right out of basic.

You can request a duty station, but if they want you somewhere else, that is where you're going.

E-4 is enlisted. Officers don't go to basic with enlisted men. Ots is completely separate from basic military training. If somehow you end up at lackland afb in tx, you screwed up and you would become an E-3 after basic. Like I said, talk to an officer recruiter.