Navy vs. Air Force which one is better?

I have decided to join the military, but I am unsure on whether to join the Navy or the Air Force. From my understanding the Air Force has the best quality of life. but while at sea in the Navy living conditions are terrible, is that true. Also housing/ dormitories depend on what rank or marital status you have, I am single and would qualify for E2 so what would it be like for me. Also , I intend on pursing my career in Medicine hopefully as a psychiatrist but the Air Force informed me that their med jobs were all full N i could be on the waiting list for a year, but the Navy insisted that I could be a medical corpsmen no problem. I'm not sure if this is just a recruiter ploy or the real deal. Lastly which on has the fewest deployments I don't mind the seeing the world but wouldn't mind staying far away from any war if possible.

Aaron

I was in the USAF and I work for the Navy as a Civilian. If I had to choose between the two, I'd go into the USAF.

The Navy has a decent quality of life, but when you are stationed on a ship, you LIVE on the ship, meaning there are no barracks, you actually go there everyday to sleep (unless you are married).

The USAF is a really decent quality of life, the only downfall is you move up in rank much slower. More rank = more money, more responsibility, and more perks, living off base, etc.

As far as medical, you won't be able to be a psychiatrist without a degree (I'm sure you know that) but both will pay for schooling in your off time. I'd choose a 9 - 5 office type job to make sure you have the time to go to school. Medical isn't bad for this. A Navy corpsman is given a lot more medical "power" than USAF medics. Corpsman are the one who issue waivers, perscribe some medication, etc. In the USAF its a PA (officer). One downside to corpsman, you can be assigned to the hospital (easy job) or assigned the USMC (like being infantry) as USMC does not have thier own medical personnel.

I'm in the Army National Guard right now. I know they pay a lot for school and they also have big enlistment bonuses. Their medics are comparable to corpsman and you can gain rank quickly. I think they have lower enlistment period too.

Feel free to write me with any questions, I hope I was able to help you out a little.

Tanz Leben.

There is no such thing as the medical field being full. Ever. Thats like saying the world has too many teachers. Now maybe the mental health section, but I doubt it.

Simple question: Water or sky?

I'd say Air Force judging from what you want to do. The Air Force has less deployments, better standards of living, and [from what Ive heard] better bases [location-wise].

Jazmin [USAF]

Im not sure about the Navy's quality of life but yes the Air forces is quite fine. Yes there is a waiting list in the Air Force. Any branch is subject to deployments.

Aaron Q

I thought about going USAF after signing up with the Navy HM program, I passed all of the testing for MEPS and I'm 100% ready to boot camp. But guess what my deployment date is not till Feb. 2010! I signed up in Sep of 09' Meaning I'm now in the Navy's D.E.P. But that's it.

Point of my story is: Navy is also very full.

Jennifer S

Air Force all the way! I might just be biased though since my boyfriend is in the Air Force. Keep in mind that whatever branch you go into, there is always the possibility of cross-training into a different career field. Just because there may not be any openings in your career field of choice at the moment doesnt mean there wont be any in the future!

Decisivness

If the Navy recruiter said you could get the medical job you wanted with no problem then make them put it in your contract. In the Navy you will be on a ship sailing around the world more than half the year. The AF is known for the best quality of life, but no matter how nice the housing is in the AF, your military experience will be better with the job you want. If the Navy offers you the job you want and the AF doesn't, go Navy.

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