Any Air Force Reservists out there?

[thefinger]

I live in the Sacramento area and a friend of mine just joined the Air Force and entered a program that will train him to be an air traffic controller. I spoke to him yesterday and he suggested I look into the Air Force Reserves. It has only been about 5 months since he shipped out for basic training, so he doesn't have many of the details I'm looking for. I'm hoping some of you out there can give me some more information before I speak to a recruiter to get their side of the story (because I know the recruiters never give you the whole story).

My situation: 24yo male, college graduate with BA in Biology, currently working part time while I search for a "real" full-time job related to my degree, can afford to quit my current job in order to go to basic training if I need to. I also have over $20k in student loans that I need to pay back (can GI bill help me with paying back loans or only with future education?).

I'm currently not interested in working for the military full-time, mainly because I need to stay in Sacramento. I am getting married next year and my future wife just got her dream job in Sacramento. The reserves seems like it may be a good fit for me. I would love to serve in the military, and it sounds like the reserves would allow me to do that while also living and working in Sacramento.

Can someone out there give me their opinion on whether or not the reserves might be a good fit for me? Any information or suggestions regarding my specific situation would be greatly appreciated. Also general information on what type of benefits and reimbursement I would receive would be appreciated as well.

Thanks, guys!

[GoatLovin]

I may have missed it, but why do you want to join the military?

I don't know how it is with the AF, but the Army Reserves deploy a lot. Don't count on just being a 'weekend warrior.'

[sephy]

There's a lot of information on http://afreserve.com/ about different jobs, loan repayment vs bonuses, etc. I'm hoping to go in as a nurse while I'm finishing up my masters so if I get hold of any information I'll update you.

[winnre]

The USAF deploys for about four months at a time. I saw them coming on and out through a revolving door while I was deployed for three years Amy.

[gucci pilot]

I'm a AF reservist at Travis. I have friends that are also air traffic controllers. Feel free to PM me and we can talk off the record.

I haven't deployed since I was on active duty. That's about 4 years. And I'm considered to be in an AFSC that is in high demand in the desert. For what it's worth...

[Tom Slick]

If it makes any difference, your current employer is required to keep your current position available to you while you are away for training.

Look into the Air National Guard also.

[Bizcuits]

Recruiters aren't as evil as you think. Check out Sgt Brown over off Greenhaven, he is the AFReserve recruiting at the Armed Forces offices.

[Army GI]

My situation: 24yo male, college graduate with BA in Biology, currently working part time while I search for a "real" full-time job related to my degree, can afford to quit my current job in order to go to basic training if I need to. I also have over $20k in student loans that I need to pay back (can GI bill help me with paying back loans or only with future education?).

WTF, you have a degree in Biology and you can't find a job? Man what is wrong with this country. *sigh* anyway with your degree you can get an advanced rank upon enlisting which I believe is E-4.

But in my opinion, you should check out getting your commission. Having a family and everything, you will appreciate the larger paycheck. You don't have to do ROTC because you already graduated. Also, many people don't know that all branches of the military have their own in-house R&D facilities and labs. So if you want to be in the military AND work in your field of study check out working for those guys.

http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/officer/careers/technical/scientist/

I know it's not what you're looking for as far as "insider" information, but I hope it gives you something to think about. Not surprisingly, the AF as well as the Navy are very much into science and technology. I don't know too much about the Air Force research programs. But looking at that website it seems like a pretty good idea for someone that wants to get into that sort of thing to think about it. The Navy is obviously big on physics because of their nuclear powered ships. So I'm sure they have plenty of R&D concerning that. Heck, even their junior enlisted people who come out of their nuclear programs are pretty much B.S. level physicists. I know that Navy calgunner that has done what I'm referring to will be around here to explain a little more soon..The Army has RDECOM for engineers, the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases for biologists, and the Institute of Chemical defense for chemists.

[Rem1492]

Any news? Howd it work out?

I'd imagine any high tech job would need a few months of training and then a few more months of straight on the job training. I'd think for ATC youd be on full time orders for a year at least. Which is good for the paycheck. Training may be in some other state though.

I also second the idea of Officer routing. Let your degree earn what you paid into it.
You dont have to have a degree that pertains to your job either. My classmate was an art major. He now flies KC-135s at altitudes way higher than me.

Reserves are a different, but similar thing to Air Nat Guard, so talk to the Guard too. You are wise to be weary of recruiters, two of my NCO's are former recruiters and they got some sneaky tales to tell

[bambam8d1]

any new news? update?

[SupermotoChick]

HA! Another former art major who went into the USAFR here

I was an illustration major.. now I'm a medic. I can answer specific questions about being enlisted in the USAFR, but it really sounds like you got the best advice for your situation already-- commissioning in your field of current experience!

My dad got trained as an air traffic controller in the AF and switched to the civilian sector years and years ago. It is a good living but incredibly stressful.

[DBK]

Hey Supermoto, have you met any Air Force medic types who used to be Army medics? I'm thinking about trying to make the switch in a few years and am just wondering how comparable the jobs are.

[Star of Life]

HA! Another former art major who went into the USAFR here

I was an illustration major.. now I'm a medic. I can answer specific questions about being enlisted in the USAFR, but it really sounds like you got the best advice for your situation already-- commissioning in your field of current experience!

My dad got trained as an air traffic controller in the AF and switched to the civilian sector years and years ago. It is a good living but incredibly stressful.

Do you fly or a ground medic? I am also looking into becoming a medic in the USAF after my BS degree in Emergency Medical Care.

Is it possible to become an officer and play in the field?

[SupermotoChick]

DBK, my old supervisor was an Army DI and became a medic, then crossed over to the AF. He's very happy here. What specifically were you wondering about?

Star of Life, I'm afraid from what I have seen/heard your options for commissioning in the medical field are pretty limited. It sounds like you would most likely fit the MSC job (Medical Services Corps).

EDIT: Forgot to respond.. I'm a ground medic.