Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I recently graduated with a B.S. with Psychology from a State University a little under a year ago and I am exploring my options for the Air Force. I haven't called a recruiter yet because I want to get as much information first. I am wondering what you think would be the best route for me in the Air Force. Am I qualified to be an officer? Will it be a good career choice for me? I just dont want to get stuck doing something I dont want to do, but I am also flexible.

ANSWER: Erin,
I need to know a few other things about you.  Are you under 27 years old?  That's the limit for the Air Force now, they are no longer granting exceptions.  I'm assuming Erin is a female name?  I've seen both.  (Some career fields are more female-friendly than others).   Do you meet the height/weight limits?  You can view them at:  http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/cds1-2009/appndx5new.htm   Are you in good health, no medical problems?  Are you free of criminal/legal problems?  If you answer yes to these questions, you are definitely qualified to be an Air Force officer.  Your Psychology degree qualifies you for just about any career field.  You can view a list of AF officer jobs at:  http://usmilitary.about.com/od/officerjobs/a/afoffjobs.htm If you didn't go into the military what kind of job would you like?  Chances are the AF has the same job.  Are you thinking about a long-term career (say 20+ years) or just a short 4 year try-it-and-see-if-I-like-it hitch?  Too many people think only of flying when they hear Air Force.  Think of it this way…airplanes are tied to Air Force Bases because they need runways.  Bases are like small cities, they have Buildings, Roads, Communications, Electricity, Water, Hospitals, Libraries, Bowling Alleys, Child Care, Restaurants, Bars, Movie Theaters, Hotels, Golf Courses, Swimming Pools, Houses, and Apartments.  So to take care of all that they need doctors, nurses, dentists, lawyers, police, firemen, engineers, communications specialists, airplane maintenance, vehicle maintenance for all the cars & trucks, weathermen, contractors, veterinarians, intelligence specialists, finance officers, etc.  Are you can see there is quite a bit to choose from.  As a base commander I am the equivalent to a mayor.  Think about what you really want to do for the rest of your life, because your job won't end when you leave the service.  Many people retire from the military after 20 years and then go get a civilian job in the same career field because it's what they have been trained in and what they know best.  So give it considerable thought, it's a life-altering decision.   The last thing you want to do is become a police officer when you really wanted to build buildings as an engineer.  That can make you miserable for many years and you won't enjoy your job at all.  You're right to find out all you can in advance.  KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Send me a follow-up question after you've decided and I'll try to help some more.
Good Luck.
Colonel H



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Colonel H,
I am 24, Female, height 5', 8" and weight approx 120. I am in good shape, but need to get in better for the military. For the most part I am in good health, but my concern is I take a preventive medication daily so I don't get migraines. I have already read that I am disqualified from the pilot program and I hope it doesn't disqualify me from the officer program as well. You say that some career fields are more female friendly? I am thinking about a 4 year try-it-hitch and possibly extend to career if it fits me. If I didn't join the military I would go to grad school for either counseling or community psychology. I like behavioral sciences and observing the nature of human behavior. I am also a people person so I couldn't be stuck in a cubicle all day by myself. I looked at the website you sent me but I wasn't sure if I was qualified for too many of the officer careers except special investigations field and public affairs field. Are there any other options you can think of? Now that you have some more information about me to work with? Thanks for all the help!
Erin

Answer
Erin,
Sounds like you're good to go.  (We all could stand to be in better shape)  I also joined for a 4 year try-it-and-see-if-I-like-it hitch.  Here I am, 30 years later.  It's probably the single best move I ever made in my life. To be an officer all you need is a Bachelor's degree, in anything.  So you're qualified for almost everything on that list (except physicians)  The migraine medicine will only prevent you from being a pilot or the missile career field.  (You can't be on medication while you're ready to launch nukes.)  Let me tell you my take on officer jobs.  By "not female-friendly" jobs I'm thinking about the Logistics career field.  That's where you'll find maintenance jobs, mechanics, etc.  Unfortunately that's still predominantly a male career field.  I do know some women in that field, but they've had to fight for it every day, more than they should.  There are a lot of female officers in Mission Support and Personnel, but those are also paperwork-heavy jobs.  Given your degree and liking to deal with people, I'd almost have to recommend the Services career field.  Those folks are in charge of meeting people's needs.  They routinely deal with making life easier for service members and their families.  Have you ever heard the old saying, "An Army travels on it's stomach?"  Well Services officers ensure the troops get fed and have a place to sleep.  They run Lodging, which a hotel for aircrews transiting through their base, and also service members and their families who need a temporary place to stay, for whatever reason.  So basically it's a hotel.  Services is also in charge of feeding the troops.  They manage all dining halls, the Officer's Club (a restaurant & bar), the Enlisted Club (a restaurant & bar), pizza parlors, basically all food on base.  They run Child Care Centers so airmen don't have to worry about their children while they're at work.  Services provides libraries so airmen and their families can do research for school, take college courses, etc.  They are also in charge of Morale, Welfare & Recreation for the troops and their families.  This includes Bowling Alleys, Movie Theaters, Golf Courses, Swimming Pools, organized tours, and a Ticketmaster-like outlet with greatly reduced prices for military.  And to top it all off, Services people also deploy to Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. and provide much the same support.  When the day's work is done in the desert, troops come "home" to a deployed base where they can get a hot meal and a nice bed, watch TV, play games, etc.  If my daughter decided to join the AF I'd definitely recommend the Services career field.  Check it out at:  http://usmilitary.about.com/od/officerjobs/a/34mx.htm
On 1 April I'm going to travel to Colorado to attend the retirement ceremony of my friend, a female Colonel who is retiring after spending 30 years in the Services career field.
Sorry for the long answer, but you're about to make a life-altering step and you need to know as much as you can in advance.
Thanks for considering the AF.
Colonel H