My experience tells me that if you want to be far away from the front lines, than the Air Force is just the thing for ya. Face it, we pay our officers more money and send their asses to the front lines! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Seriously though, the Air Force is 80% technical. Depending on what you're good at, you could really get some great experience in a lot of different fields. The job I had was pretty technical, though not all the time. I just wanted it because I got to work on da jets.. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I won't lie to ya though, the military as a whole is pretty much at the bottom when it comes to morale. But I think things are changing, albeit slowly, because the public is starting to really see how claims about our military being the best in the world is turning into meer words... without morale, you ain't shit..
Anyway, basic training is easiest in the Air Force.. it's all a mind game- they yell at ya a lot because they're not allowed to punish you with pushups, etc etc.. if you can handle someone yelling at you
because it's their job, then you'll be good to go. It's pretty common sense stuff- people freak out when they look too much into why you're there, or can't handle the stress. They scare you with as many ways as they can- amazing what they can come up with when physical punishment isn't an option. Just remember, being a TI (instructor) is a demanding job- the AF has to pay those guys extra because it's not something people are jumping at the chance to do. Most TI's go into it with a passion that they want to make sure "newbies" loose the real world attitudes and gain a respect for what it is to work as a team.. Granted, some are just assholes- but most are there to make sure you succeed..
The Air Force isn't as much about risking your life as it is about putting the life of others in your hands- I worked as a weapons technician, loading munitions and troubleshooting aircraft, etc.. my job was demanding with a lot of "sit-around-and-wait" too. I'd say if you're good with certain skills, push for those related jobs- in the end you won't get a real choice- they'll just match up your test scores with what you wanted to do with what they need (and right now, the military NEEDS people bad).
I'd recommend military service for anyone- not only does it build great character, but most of my friends from back home will probably live and die not far from where they are. I've had the opportunity to travel not only around the states, but a lot of the world too..
In retrospect, even through the 16+ hour workdays I've done, shitty leaders I've had to follow, crap details I endured, 3 day notices to be halfway around the world, lower pay, no matter what I do in life, I'll always remember my times in the military. Almost every person I talk to at any age who has done military service, can remember those times like they were yesterday- even my Grandfather- he wasn't in the Navy that many years and still he can talk about it like he just got out.. Trust me, if you look into what you want and do your time, you won't regret it.
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