Alright well I am prior service US Army and I was discharged about a year ago in the summer, I lived on my own for about a year working full time and intended on going back to a branch of service however I got sidetracked with an interest in going back to school. Working 40 hours a week got old especially when I was making crap for money because I really had no training in anything so I saw college as a nice out, go to school, work a little, learn, meet people and have fun and then in the end it would all pay off.

Well as of late I have been seeing plenty of people in the respective fields with connections or no connections making it very good for themselves without, I am not a traditional laborer however I think that a technical job in the Air-Force may do me well. I am just really tired of being broke because of school and unable to do the things everyone else I know is doing with there cars and still making a pretty penny as well. You have to work for these things I know, I am a very smart individual with alot of knowledge in regard to the real world I just am not the study study study type I guess. As far as finances, sales, vehicles and alot of common sense I am all there and some people can be extremely smart book wise and not have a clue when it comes to life, I fortunately have gone through my bumps and straight aways all by myself with no help so I have seen both sides of the track.

I would really like to go somewhere and in the same sense I am a person who strives off of instant or semi-instant gratification, things that are just over the herizon, something that I can almost reach without having to go years and years and years and deep into debt before I reach them it just doesn't motivate me. Sure someone can say LOOK AT ALL THIS (shows expensive cars and houses that doctors buy) and then tell me YOU CAN HAVE THAT IF YOU WORK HARD ENOUGH!... it just doesn't do it for me, I know I could have it but it just does not sink is like it should so I was thinking about the military, in a way it is almost an instant green light to be on path, sure I understand realistically I may not have the things I want RIGHT away but it isn't far, it is all mapped out for me I guess for the most part and I have been in the Army so as far as understanding how things work I think I could have a pretty good handle on the Air-Force providing they offered me a good job.

I was wondering from airman or NCO perspective and even others on the forum, in a way it would be similar to school, I would have to enlist reservest because the USAF does not take prior service discharged as active duty however the loop hole is to enlist and train as reserve then flip, I may stay reserve so my training could just be applied to a job around home or I could fall in love and want to be on base somewhere... paid for houseing yeehaw, I've paid rent and it sucks. I guess what had been holding me back was the notion I may not be out there as social as if I were in college but I'm sure the oppurtunities are there and it can be lots of fun. The only thing that I was under the impression of is that if you were active duty it isn't like a 9-5 and you couldnt "go out after work" and have fun or what not because you have curfews or crap like that like daily full time work life and maybe nice weather mmm.

I financially think it would be a good move for me, I owe about $900 ish on a credit card, $900 to Dell Financial, I owe Cingular about $600 and my truck wich is soon to be out the door will be off my plate and while in training all that crap can be gone with money I make and won't spend, college loans I could take the deffered payment option and hold out from paying that for 6 months, I owe about $10,000 from that but is there anything that the AF could do to cover that or something along the lines? I trust recruiters with advice as far as I can throw them, factual information about the branch however I will listen but a point of view from you guys would be nice. Thanks.

 

I don't know of a skill or training that the Air Force will give you that will inable you to launch a high-paying career with the exception of being a pilot. Sure, the training is free but you end up with something that isn't very valuable.

If I were you I'd talk with a career counselor to see what professions are out there that I can afford to get into

 

There must be rewarding postions there, I am not talking about PHD or MDs salary just comfortable jobs or training that would get my foot into the door to a comfortable dollar.

 

Air Traffic controller, or Aero mechanic. I'm also thinking about the Air Force, but I want to finish College first, so I can enter as an officer

 

I would look at some kind of mechanic-type MOS. Stay in for a few years and get in some good experience and training and then go work for a civilian contractor pulling down some pretty good money. My uncle did that and now he makes really good money working on helicopters for a contractor on a military base. -OR- I know you can do this in the Army, but im not sure about AF, but you could do a simultaneous membership program where you are in the reserves and ROTC in college at the same time. Then you get an enlistment bonus that would cover your bills, college paid for, drill pay, plus a regular monthly check. Then you get a college education and you go in to your branch as an officer.

 

I could always hold out until I got offered a job worth while, you can re-take your azfab every 30 days, once a good slot comes up then BOOM take it. I also see it as a good in the get a new car.

 

azfab I thought it was asvat - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test

 

I always knew how to say it but never spell it and imagine that I scored high enough for the surgical technologist position with the army, that was my MOS lol 91Delta. I never finished training though.

 

I took it Junior year in High School (2001) and the recruiter said I scored a 98. Whatever that means. But it was a high score however they do the scoring, and I had a recruiter from every branch of the military come visit me at my house to talk to me. Every branch but the Coast guard. I kinda wish I would have gone, but I'm also glad I didn't, because I'd probably have gone to Iraq but at the same time it would have given me a little more direction in my life, and it would have been a nice place to find out about myself, and what I'm capable of.

 

Common sense should tell you people that are successful haven't acquired such positions with only short-term work. You should expect to receive what you put in. If you wish to realize certain wealth, you should expect to put in that much work regardless of how much you like it.

Now if you wish to find a career where you can work the next 40+ years of your life, you need to realize everything is what you make of it. You're going to be VERY hard pressed to find a job where you'll be given large tasks that can be recognized within a short-term period. However, even a mundane job can be broken into smaller tasks. Perhaps this mentality of accomplishing small successes will be more feasible for you.

Please also take notice, jumping from multiple ideas without completing anything does not create a positive track record and will only go against your mission to be successful. You need to be able to commit yourself to whatever you decide. the inability to do this only displays childish irresponsibility; hardly a successful attribute.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Chris