Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/13/2009

Question
I'm in the process in joining the air force and I am having a real hard time trying to figure out a job for me. I would ultimately love to be a Federal Agent for law enforcement or pilot. I know they're two totally different fields but both interest me the same way. I've read security forces for the air force is nothing like law enforcement and its more geared to being deployed and/or protecting bases. If being a pilot is my ultimate goal what job do you think would best allow me to accomplish this? I just want to get a job that will allow me to go to college and complete my bachelor's in 4 years and help better my life for my wife and son. Is this possible? I just hope there was a way to go to school almost full time and consider that my job. I heard something like this is possible but only air force academy. Is this correct? Thanks for any advice you may have.

Answer
Dear Dennis --

Unfortunately, since you are married, you are not eligible for any of the service academies.

However, you are eligible for reserve officer training corps (ROTC) scholarships to allow you to attend college.  If you are in ROTC at a state college or university, your scholarship will pay for most of your tuition, and some of your fees.  You would still be responsible for room and board and daily expenses.  This means you will need a part time job while attending college, or your wife will have to work.  But, at the end of 4 years, you would be commissioned a second lieutenant, and have a good career ahead of you.

Alternatively, you could enlist, and take on-line courses, or weekend and night school, and earn an associates degree.  Once you have an associates degree, you could apply for degree completion, and go to school full time (for up to two years) to get your bachelors degree.  If you take a full time education option, you incur a service obligation for every year of schooling you accept.  Once you have your bachelors degree, you can apply for officer training school, and upon completion earn your commission.

Finally, you can enlist to earn the college fund, and Veteran's Administration benefits.  Then, when your tour is done, you could go to school full time, with assistance for both tuition and living expenses.

As a brand new recruit, the is no option to enlist and go to school full time, as your job.  Full time schooling options are generally reserved for service members who have had a very successful first tour, and have earned the opportunity to study full time and return to the service to use that education for military missions.

You are correct, the security forces of the Air Force have somewhat different roles than a police force in an American city or town.  Many police forces will count your Air Force duty as good experience, so don't discount its value.

To be a pilot, you must have a bachelors degree, test well on aptitude tests, test well on reflex tests, and have excellent eyesight.  Even if you meet all these criteria, so many candidates wish to be pilots that you may not get a pilot training billet after all that work.  But, if that is your dream, you should try for it.

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you.