You are here:
- Home
- News/Issues
- U.S. Military
- Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard
- Can I join the air force?
Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Can I join the air force?
Advertisement
Question
Can I enlist into the air force and go to BMT in between my Junior and Senior year of high school and then go to my Tech School after I graduate Hight School? I know the Army offers this, they call it "split ops".
Dan,
The Air FOrce does not offer a "Split Ops" in the Delayed Enlistment program. The way the Army does this is that they place you in the reserves. During the year you are home after BMT, you have to attend reserve meetings. Then once you go off to AIT, they give you an active duty option.
You can still join the Air Force, but you will not attend BMT untill your scheduled leave date. After you graduate, you will attend Technical School and then off to your first duty station. In years past it was more cost effective to just send trainees to BMT and Tech school all at once and the Air Force took less losses from those who were at risk to offend so to speak.
Bu the solid answer is , if you are qualified for the Air Force, Yes you can join now. Its called the "Soft Book Program". Juniors are offered a bid on senior positions provided they meet certain criteria. Check with an Air Force Recruiter to see what the criteria for this year is.
HW
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Howard Lorenz
Expertise
I have spent the past 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 3 years was assigned as an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter. I have been deployed various times to several locations. If it is a career in the military you are looking for or thinking about I most likely have the answer. I still have contacts with in the recruiting field and if I don't know the answer then I have folks who do where I can find the answer. I am very blunt and straight forward and will make no attempts to BS you. I will give you the best information that I possible can can. If you think that you cant handle the answer that I give you, then don't ask the question...... If you are planning on joining the military, your number 1 decision factor in making this kind of move is that you need to be more concerned about serving your country than your country serving you!! All the benefits are the best that you can find. Education is at a premium right now and its the most rewarding thing that you can do. If I dont answer right away probably means that I am busy, but have patience, I will get to you.
Experience
Air Force Recruiter for 3 years, Air Force Career 21 Years
Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Education/Credentials
Community College of the Air Force, International Air Academy, Allied Business Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical College, Defense Acquisition University
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.