Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/9/2009

Question
I am a junior in high school and i am debating whether i should go straight to college or if the Air Force is right for me.  I feel that i am a very academic person capable of becoming anything i want to be.  The reason why i look into joining the Air Force is because i am an academic achiever, a hard-worker, and an athletic person; which makes me physically and mentally fit for service in the Air Force.
I believe going to college is not going to be a good choice for me because i do not see myself achieving much surrounded with lifelong friends and influences.  I will work harder, better, and faster when i am put in a strict militant situation.  The reason why i considered the Air Force is because of the benefits it offers.  I was told by a recruiter that basically, college education is free, job is offered, and i could use the Air Force as my advantage to study in fields that are not related with the Air Force at all.  Such as fashion, cooking, etc..
What i want is to use the Air Force to my advantage, get my college education basically paid for, and then leave the force to start my life and career with the education i have gained through the Air Force.  Is the Air Force right for me?

Answer
Tiffany,
I'll lay out the pros and cons for you to help you decide.  I'm going to give you an answer you may be surprised to hear from an adult.  Going straight to college from high school is not for everybody.  I used to be a high school teacher and I saw many students pushed into college by their parents, only to drop-out after a year or so.  Unfortunately today's society seems to expect you to go to college.  College is always a great idea, but WHEN YOU GO should be up to you.  If you go to college directly from high school you can expect four or more years of the same thing, schoolwork…every day.  If you're lucky you may get a part-time job just to break up the monotony.

Your recruiter told you correctly.  If you enter the Air Force upon graduating from high school you basically start working a job and can go to college whenever you please.  If you want to get promoted, the Air Force expects you to earn a college degree sometime within your first 10-12 years.  Most people wait a year or two before they begin classes so they can concentrate on working and getting accustomed to a new way of life.  The Air Force has the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), the largest university in the world based upon enrollment.  It is the only college system designed solely for enlisted military members.  It's designed so you can take as many classes as you'd like in your off-duty hours, whatever times work best for you.  Most people get degrees in something related to their job as it's easier to pass tests that way and it helps you on your job.  And yes, it's all paid for by the AF.  Ask your recruiter about CCAF, I'm sure he's attended it.

As for choosing a career field, for a young woman starting out in the AF I'd have to recommend the Air Force  Services career field.  You can view a list of AF jobs at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjobs.htm
If you didn't go into the military what kind of job would you like?  Chances are the AF has the same job.
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.  As you can see there is quite a bit to choose from.  As a base commander I am the equivalent to a mayor, so I know what everybody on a base does.

Some jobs are not "female-friendly."  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 females in Mission Support and Personnel, but those are also paperwork-heavy jobs.  You mentioned fashion, cooking, etc. If you like being around people and want an exciting job, 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 folks 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
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.
Give it considerable thought, it's a life-altering decision.

Having a good idea of what kind of job you want for the next few years will sure make your time go faster and your life a lot easier.  They may tell you “we can place you when you get here."  That's true, because most folks don't have any idea what they want to be, but if YOU already know what you want to do you may be able to volunteer for it.  Many young folks have no idea what choices are available to them and can end up being a personnel specialist pushing paper, when they really wanted to be working around airplanes. That can make your life miserable for 4 years and then it’s no wonder they don't reenlist.  You don’t want to be surprised by anything.

Although you're only a Junior, you're smart to start thinking and planning.
Go talk to a recruiter now.  Show him your questions to me and my answers.  See what he thinks about the AF Services career field.  He knows you're not ready to join yet, but he'll put you on his list and keep you in mind when the time comes.  He'll enjoy working with you, somebody who plans ahead.  Most people just stumble in off the street one day and expect to join-up and depart the next.  If he has time, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to share some "war stories" with you.

Sorry this is so long, but I believe you need to know all the facts.  You're wise to find out all you can in advance.  KNOW BEFORE YOU GO is my #1 advice.
If I can help any more, just send me a follow-up question.
Good Luck, and thanks for considering the AF.
Colonel H