I need help with my decision since my parents aren't helping that much. (Choosing between USAF or Army)?

Mike

There are benefits to both branches, definitely.

Air Force pros include stability (no long term deployments, and the deployments we do have aren't generally directly getting shot at). Our jobs able to transfer to civilian life more seamlessly (you won't find an employment listing for "infantry" in your local newspaper). Our basic training is shorter, and you don't catch as much fecal matter. Our bases are the envy of all the branches because the facilities are generally much nicer. Our food is 100% better than any other branch (I've eaten Army mess food before, "food" is a flexible term). We have a more select group of people than the Army (no convicts policy).

Yes, the Army does promote faster, but you can be demoted just as fast, and that can be quite often. The AF does not have the type of demotions that the Army has. Recently, the Air Force does promote through E-5 significantly faster than they used to, getting to E-6 is still tough though.

As an AF member, stationed along side an Army post in Panama, the Army tends to treat it's people like crap.

Good luck in your choice

CeciliaM

I've been a nurse in both the Army and Air Force. Neither treats women any differently, at least in my own experience. That said, it seems like the quality of living is nicer in theAir Force, but that is not gender specific. It is harder to make rank in the Air Force.

Now, I enjoy the Army more because I feel like I am making much more of a contribution than when I was AF. With the AF, even though I am a nurse I still got stuck "pushing paper" and felt underutilized, especially with my job skill. Not so with the Army. Overall if I had to do everything again, I would still choose Army.

If rank is a deal-breaker for you, then go Army. If quality of life is the deal-breaker, then go Air Force. As a woman you will not get "better" or preferential treatment in either branch.

Joseph

USAF is good. Army is good. I am in the USAF and I really like it.

Your father is correct. Typically, you will get promoted faster in the Army as compared to the Air Force. Also, females will usually be treated better in the Air Force, not to say you will be mistreated in the Army. And it is less likely you will be in a combat zone in the Air Force.

Your first decision is to decide what you want to do, then look at which branch of service will best suit your needs.

Tkr2good

Your parents are right about the rank. But, the quality of life is better in the AF. Let me explain. I deployed to the same area as the Army. They lived in tents while I got to stay at a local hotel. Did I mention I also got paid a ton of extra cash....

I work in a joint unit currently. Army does rank faster, but the rank does not mean they know more. I find it funny that AF E-4's are more dependable and know more than an Army E-6.

Scott

It depends on why you want to join. If you are looking for technical training, go with the Air Force, though the Army does have technical jobs available. The AF does generally treat their personnel better, with better barracks, shorter overseas deployments, etc., but the Army isn't all bad. I have been in the Army and Army National Guard for over 22 years, and have seen some people make rank very quickly, while others move up slowly. If I had to do it all over again, I would go Army Military Intelligence as a linguist; you learn a foreign language or two, and get an additional $400 per month for it.

jizzin5

Well your dad is right. you make rank faster in the army, but that still doesn't mean you don't rank fast in the air force either. And if you have some college credits then you'll already be higher ranked than others who go in without college credits. Im leavin in june for AF basic. That is what i would recommend to you, not because im donig it also, but because i think you'd like it better than the army. Besides every branch gets paid the same based on rank. You will get treated better in the air force too. good luck on your decision.

JASP3R

Ok, well I also have been looking into the army and air force and i have decided on the air force. The Army is good and you do rank up faster than the air force but not every one does so. The army is a more combative branch than the air force so if you wish to fight i would go with the army. The air force on the othe hand you rank up 6 months after you get out of basic then another in about a year so after the four years are up you will be a senior air man (3 stripes) and the army would be a specialist about that time. The air force whould be better if you plan to have kids because you would have a house on base or they would pay monthly alowences for off base living, the army doesnt do that to my knowledge. Also in the air force they can prepare you for a career outside of the military while the army will set you up for very few jobs such as law enforcement (which the air force does too) so with you being married and wanting to have kids the AF would be a good choice. Also it is not necesarry for you to continue on the family tradition your parents would be just as proud of you if you joined the AF insted of the army. The ASVAB is not that hard and if you score a 45 or above your pretty much set to do any job in either branch( the lowest you can get on it is a 31to join the AF and a 29 for army. I took it when i was 16 in 10th grade and got a 68.

Good luck.

Krazyarm

You've gotten some real good answers here from some knowledgebale people. What they said about ranking in both servies is true. Same for living conditions and thee respect you are given. In my experience the AF is the better way to go if you look at everthing. One thing that was not talked about. Have you thought at all about becoming an officer? Rank for enlisted starts at E-1 goes thru E-9, officers go from O-1 thru O-12 or higher?? You also need to give some VERY heavey thought to what you want to do in the service and what it will tranlate into when you leave the military. Either way you go you will be bettering yourself and serving your country and getting a great adventure. If I had it all to do agian, I would go into the AF. One down side of the army is if you go to a war zone. Ptsd in the AF is way below that of the Army. Do a lot of reseach and talk to as many ACTIVE duty personel as is possible to get as much information as you can. Good luck and I wish you well.

Cristi H

They are both good. As a woman I think I would rather join the Air Force.

RemembertheUtah

What I would do....

Join the Air Force as an enlisted guy. Take night classes. Get out after four years and use your GI Bill and get a college degree. Then go back in. At that point you can either do Air Force or Army.

charles.young580

I spent 20 years in the Army. I retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. Your father is correct about getting promoted faster in the army.

partyinsneakers

go air force. in the army you are more likely to die.
also the air force is more female friendly.

Erika

Air Force is more professional like....Army is more rag-tag as they have veeeery low standards because they need the numbers.

As a female I recommend Air Force
For a male I recommend Marines

I don't recommend Army for anyone to be honest....it ain't what it used to be - sadly, I know.

treykings

Be one of the few, the proud, the Marines.

Wait sorry can't help you.

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