Posted on May 22, 2020
Thomas Riggens
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I'm having trouble deciding on whether to enlist in the Air Force or become an Air Force officer.

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Sorry if this is a bit long. I'll try to be brief.
I'm currently working on my bachelor's degree and I've signed up to start Air force ROTC classes this fall. I was planning to get my bachelor's and apply for OTS, but after looking at both career fields I'm not so sure. I grew up on a farm in a very small town. I love the outdoors and working with my hands. I'm in good shape and I'm a hard worker. I was studying mechanical engineering for a while but after speaking with several mechanical engineers the type of work that they described didn't appeal to me. I've always wanted to join the military but I'm not sure what to do. I want a job that is physically demanding and out in the field. So enlisted seems like the choice but I'm getting married and I would be lying if I said the extra benefits and income as an officer wasn't appealing plus and I'm close to getting my bachelors. I've thought about OSI and Air liasons but I've heard that are nearly impossible to get into. I'd really love to be a pilot but I have hay fever and heard that was a disqualifier.

I'm not really looking for definent answer more opinions and thoughts on my situation

Thank you.
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Responses: 8
WO1 Gunner
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Army Officer: Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry.
1. Physically Demanding.
2. Out in the field.
3. Officership will give you better benefits/Quality of life.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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I highly recommend that you complete your bachelors degree and take the AFROTC classes. ROTC is the easiest way to earn a commission in my opinion. As you progress through the AFROTC classes, you'll get a better understanding of the Air Force mission, organization, and specialties. I spent a year in "pre-Liberal Arts," a.k.a, the College of Engineering, before completing my bachelors degree in history and political science. Due to my engineering studies I had a minor in math and earned a BS instead of a BA. I picked up an Air Force scholarship for my last two years. There's a lot emphasis on STEM degrees now, so if you can complete an engineering degree of some type that would be great.

You have a background and interest in what I call "honest work." This is an outstanding foundation for service in any of the military services. The Air Force is not composed of a bunch of people who wear a uniform to work every day to sit on their butts at a computer or desk. That's not to say there aren't "desk jobs" in the Air Force and all of the other services. We have officers and enlisted personnel who work in specialties requiring a lot of inside time. These folks are essential to the Air Force mission, but often work in support roles. Examples: finance, personnel, air traffic control, and some IT specialties. Many Air Force specialties allow both officers and enlisted personnel the opportunity to work out of doors and with their hands. Aircraft maintenance, transportation (air and vehicle), civil engineering, research and development, and force protection come to mind.

Air Force front line personnel are mostly officers. All pilots of manned aircraft and many other aircrew positions are officers. If you score high enough on the officer qualifying test, then you might have a chance to be a pilot. You'll also have to pass a flight physical. Your statement about seasonal allergies needs to be approached carefully. If you believe you have "hay fever", but have never been diagnosed as having seasonal allergies by a doctor, then you may or may not have allergies. Be very careful how you answer questions on the physical forms. If you have been diagnosed by an MD as having seasonal allergies, say so on the forms, but don't give up on being a pilot. Let the Air Force medical people decide if those allergies prevent you from being a pilot. I had seasonal allergies as a kid, but passed my flight physical every year for 22 years.
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Thomas Riggens
Thomas Riggens
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Thank you so much. This was great advice.
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MAJ Intell Officer
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Don't do it just for the money - it won't be worth it. Education and insurance benefits are the same. Officers have additional responsibilities and a lot of administrative paperwork. As officers advance in rank there is usually less contact with enlisted and less time in the field.
Enlisted tend to be more hands on and in the field, but there are some officers that get to be out with the troops.
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