Been in just over 13 years now. I work in AMMO (Munitions Systems Specialist) Basically we take care of all of the explosive stuff the Air Force uses. Not the greatest job but the brotherhood and family type attitude in my job is strong and pretty cool. I've been stationed in Germany, Utah, New Mexico, Okinawa Japan and currently Korea with a ton of trips to the middle east and other little spots here and there.
I would say if you can't afford college or aren't sure what you want to do with your life yet go for it. The benefits are great, quality of living in the AF is much better than the other services, and you will have the opportunity to travel. If you're married, the benefits are pretty good for your family and if overseas the DoD (Dept of Defense) run schools are some of the best you'll find anywhere.
I've had many years of great experiences in the AF but if you are going to join make sure you know the negative sides as well. There will be deployments, sometimes as much as 6 months out of a year depending on your job. If you stay in any length of time you will most likely get assigned to Korea (1 year tour) and you won't be able to take your family unless you pocket all the expenses. The travel is great but can wear on you at times when you have to leave friends and loved ones behind all the time...it gets very tough sometimes when you have to everything you care about back in the states while you go over to the desert or Korea. Also, if you have certain jobs (especially jobs working on the fighters) you can expect to work a lot of extra hours.
If you can handle the constant moving and often long hours of work it is a great experience...one that I can't say I regret one bit. If you do decide to join up make sure you have a guaranteed job before you go. SOmetimes they will try to put you in a guaranteed career field like "mechanics" and then you pick from job listed in that later...don't fall for that. Either get a guaranteed job (preferably something you like) or don't do it. If you have an idea of what you'd like to do or some particular area of work you enjoy post it and maybe we can all shoot some job descriptions/types your way that might interest you if you do decide to join up.
All the pay and benefits and travel aside there's one main thing that has been the deciding factor in me staying in as long as I have: pride. Pride in wearing the uniform I wear everyday. The pride you feel when a civilian comes up to you and says "thank you for defending our country" it's a feeling you just can't get from any job out there; except maybe fire dept and police.
'00 Blk CSVT #1087/2150 built 12/23/99
