# Joining the air force after college graduation???? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 10, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647 "2013-06-10T19:37:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ashtweety2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@ashtweety2010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtweety2010)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/1 "2013-06-10T19:37:46Z")
I am a senior in college graduating with a b.s. Psychology degree minoring in spanish. I am thinking about joining the air force as an officer. Do you think it is worth it?? What is the process? How long does it take? Is the test hard? Can i pick my base? What is the pay like? I need advice on anything you guys may know about this. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/2 "2013-06-10T19:43:58Z")
Reported for possible forum change. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/3 "2013-06-10T19:48:27Z")
Welcome to the board, **ashtweety2010**. I’ve moved your thread to the In My Humble Opinion forum from General Questions. ---
**Author:** ![ashtweety2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@ashtweety2010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtweety2010)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/4 "2013-06-10T19:54:37Z")
ok thank you. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/5 "2013-06-10T19:54:44Z")
If you don’t have any job prospects in the offing after graduation, the military can be an option. If you have the mind-set for it. The ASVAB is very simple, your local recruiter can tell you the process, and after they swear you in you don’t get to choose jack-shit for the rest of your enlistment. ---
**Author:** ![ashtweety2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@ashtweety2010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtweety2010)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/6 "2013-06-10T19:55:51Z")
I was told I would take the Officer test and not the ASVAB. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/7 "2013-06-10T20:08:15Z")
Ask a recruiter. But just a piece of advice, if they start saying “It will be easier to put you in enlisted and then you can become an officer”, run. Unless thats what you want to do. Here is the current [paychart](http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp). You would start at $2876 per month. With that you would also get either free onbase housing or a housing allowance. The allowance changes depending on where you are stationed. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/8 "2013-06-11T04:36:45Z")
My father tried to do that in the 1950s after graduating with a BS in biochemistry. After he’d signed all the paperwork they decided he wasn’t really officer material. Unexpectedly, he found himself on the hook for another (two-year?) stint as an NCO, which is what he’d been before going to college. Maybe the rules have changed since then, but I’d be very careful. ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/9 "2013-06-11T04:53:13Z")
It has been a while since I did it, but you will be seeking a commission in the Air Force. Very different than enlisting. Since you are doing this after graduating from college, you will be competing (yes, competing with a lot of other people around the country) for a slot at Officer Training School (OTS). The test referenced is the AFOQT (Air Force Officer Qualifying Test). Study guides are available for the test. You will also take the PFT (Physical Fitness Test). I don’t know what the requirements are now, but back in my day they included pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, a broad jump and a 600-yard run. A separate 1.5-mile run was also required. You will also undergo a commissioning physical to make sure you are physically qualified for service and if you are world-wide deployable. Where you are based is largely determined by what specialty you are in. I don’t really know what a psychology degree with a minor in Spanish would get steered into. Talk to a recruiter about that. If you can select a field that interests you, good. As far as selecting your base - good luck. Get used to the “Needs of the Air Force”. Pay is easily determined with a simple search. Look for officer pay rates and go in at the “O-1 under 2 years” or whatever the bottom left figure is. That will be your monthly pay. A normal commitment for OTS is 4 years, but they may have changed that. Bottom line, research Air Force OTS and go from there. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![snowmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@snowmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowmaster)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/10 "2013-06-11T06:00:51Z")
What Do You Want To Do In The Military? What Has You Looking At Air Force In Particular? I Ask Because I Have Here With Me Theman Who Is Widely Regarded As “The One” For Navy Officer Programs. If You Have Questions, ask. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Niply\_Elder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@The\_Niply\_Elder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Niply_Elder)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/11 "2013-06-11T06:45:11Z")
You forgot to capitalize “ask”. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/12 "2013-06-11T11:32:42Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > My father tried to do that in the 1950s after graduating with a BS in biochemistry. After he’d signed all the paperwork they decided he wasn’t really officer material. Unexpectedly, he found himself on the hook for another (two-year?) stint as an NCO, which is what he’d been before going to college. Maybe the rules have changed since then, but I’d be very careful. Things are a lot different now. The Air Force has no problems meeting enlistment quotas. They have been kicking people out. Same with all the other branches but the AF and the Navy have been tight for several years. They have no need to trick anyone into joining. But it is of course a good idea to understand 100% what you are getting into before you sign anything. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/13 "2013-06-11T17:09:31Z")
From the USAF website: [How to join the Air Force as an officer](http://www.airforce.com/joining-the-air-force/officer-overview/). In addition to the qualifying test and physical screening, you have to go through a selection board. It’s a competitive interview process, like you would have for most civilian jobs. You can’t just show up and be an officer. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/14 "2013-06-11T18:33:34Z")
Some earlier threads that might be of interest: > **[\[Enlisting in\] the Air Force after just graduating](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=514804)** > > What would life be like for a college graduate that just graduated with his BA in Accounting and then decided to enlist in the Air Force? I’ve heard all kinds of various information, thus my decision to turn here. Just because my degree is in... > **[Tell Me About the Air Force.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=501115)** > > Hey Dopers, I was wondering if any of you have been in the air force. I’m not looking to sign up immediately, but I can say that my interest is piqued. I just graduated from college and I still feel pretty unfocused. I feel like there’s still dozens... > **[Should I join the Air Force or Navy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=388724)** > > I’m currently talking to Navy and Air Force recruiters (well, I talked to the Navy recruiters, and I’m waiting for the Air Force guy to call me back since he’s evidentally always running from place to place), and I was just hoping to ask any Dopers... > **[Need opinions from USAF Dopers w/knowledge of recruiting policies](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=300583)** > > Earlier this week, I went to the MEPS in Beckley, WV to enlist into the Air Force’s Linguistics program. I passed the hearing test, the blood test, the drug test, and the physical. Then came the vision test. I wear contacts, and I told the test... > **[The United States Air Force](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=139750)** > > I just got to thinking about the US Air force, and i really have a lot on my mind that i dont know about. So can anyone answer the following, or offer more information. What exactly does it take to get into the US Air Force Training Academy thing? ... > **[What did I get myself into by joining the Air Force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=114963)** > > First off, my apologies if this is in the wrong form/been discussed before/whatever. That said, I just recently signed up to the US Air Force. I don’t go to boot camp for a few months yet. In general, what can I expect there and afterwards? While... > **[My daughter is joining the Air Force](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=109765)** > > She’s 20 years old - if you have military experience or have a child in the military - what should we expect? Thanks > **[Joining the US Military. . . .?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=509028)** > > I did a search of military, navy, join navy, enlist and a few others and got a few good threads but it was mostly the Army or USAF. I know we have Airman Doors and SSG Shwarz being in the USAF and Army respectively (sorry about butchering your names... > **[Can I Get Out Of The Military??](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=648497)** > > Ok so I tried doing research on my own but everything that came up was a few years old. I recently joined the USAF after not getting accepted into college and thinking it was my only option, well as you probably guessed it was NOT the right chouce... > **[Tell me about the Air National Guard](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=620585)** > > I have been doing some research about the Air National Guard. There’s something I don’t quite understand, however. From what I have read, you serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year (in addition to any deployments - correct?) So when that one... > **[21 year old talking to Navy & Air Force recruiters -Needs some advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=645320)** > > Need some advice for a young man talking to Navy and Air Force recruiters. He is a clean cut young man and an Eagle Scout and they are seemingly quite interested in recruiting him. He has a (to be frank) spotty academic record but if he focuses can... > **[Military Dopers - How Did You Choose Your Military Branch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=601831)** > > I’m a lifelong civilian, and have never been interested in joining the military for a number of reasons. I’m a nonviolent person (don’t conflate this with being a pacifist, I just don’t want to shoot anyone), I like having my personal freedom and I... > **[Do you have what it takes intellectually for the military? Check out the...](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=570574)** > > ASVAB Test Online Course These are not rocket science, but a good slice of the American public who consider themselves reasonably bright would be failing a lot of these questions if they were asked them cold. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-air-force-after-college-graduation/660647/15 "2013-06-12T23:46:15Z")
Doesn’t the USAF hire a lot of civilian employees/contractors? You could look into that.