Just finished the ASVAB, waiting on results.

S

Swapp

Member
I just wanted to created a little topic to get some feedback on my views.  As stated in the header, I just finished the ASVAB and I'm waiting on my recruiter to get back to me.  My current plan is to enlist obviously and go straight to boot camp, serve my time, and continue on to become a Special Tactics Officer in the USAF. This requires a bachelors degree and the schooling for an Officer. (OFSU?)  From my understanding, the training for Spec Ops is extremely difficult. It does worry me some but I want to do it.  From what I have read, you can retire after 20 years of service. I hope to stay in for 30+ years. This is the information I've gathered so far.  If any of this is wrong feel free to correct me.
 
I think you got it all about right. Except the understanding of retirement. Now I'm not sure how the Air Force does retirement but I know for the Army, you can leave once your contract term of service has been fulfilled (usually about 8 years for officers). However, if you serve for 20+ years and you retire, you earn retirement pay which is equivalent to half of your pay grade from when you retire. It's kind of the joke that once you have served for 20 years, you're only working for half pay because the other half is guaranteed for the rest of your life.
 
Just want to comment on a few things. I don't know what AFSC you have or if you're going in open elec/gen/admin/mech but per the Air Force you can't do any college whatsoever until you finish your tech school + Career Dev Course (if your AFSC has them).

I can only offer my own experience as to the amount of time it took until I could start doing college classes. I had 8.5 weeks BMT (now down to 6.5 if I've heard correctly); 6 months of tech school (varies based on AFSC); and then 4-5 months to finish my CDCs. As I said this is only my own experience within my own AFSC; now there are some specialties that have far longer tech schools and some far shorter. Just depends on what you do. The great part is that once you're in and have all that done the military will pretty much pay for any class you put towards your CCAF or a Bachelors degree.

And sorry but I know little to nothing about special forces training, especially for something as rarely seen as an STO.

As SGT O'Neill said you can separate once your enlistment is up but you won't get retirement pay; you need to do at least 20 to gain any retirement pay unless you get disability.
 
If you're starting from the enlisted chain, regardless of branch of service, the Sgts are correct. You will get through your branch's boot camp, follow-on schools, job training, etc. and get to your first unit before you can start chipping away at a degree. While you're in, you can use Tuition Assistance (TA) to get through whatever course work you sign up for to earn your bachelors. Now, keep in mind, depending on the job field you're shooting for, college AND your military profession can be a crazy balancing act.

Not sure if you considered college ROTC scholarships and programs to basically go straight to college get your commission that way, but I felt it was something I should have at least mentioned. Either way, good luck with your chosen path and feel free to hit up any vets if you got questions. There's a wealth of knowledge just floating around this community. :P
 
I agree with Jackson and Shannon. As for SF training you only need to have the right mentality and the will to persevere. Also there is a wealth of knowledge online in accordance with SF training. Plus sometimes they keep shit under raps so you can't g2 it. This is coming from an Army experience. Either way you will figure it out as you go.
 
the training you will go through will be difficult, the worst part is the RNG that can always get you. A single injury or illness can (not always ) derail your plans. I had signed up for 75th Rangers right before sept 11 and I got injured in jump school. when I arrived at RIP ( assessment and selection for Ranger regiment at the time) they kicked me for my injury, they were swamped and kicking people out for the smallest infractions. I also wanted to go SF and a week before their A&S i had my appendix pop, the next time I was ready to go we found out my wife had cancer. all I am saying it sometimes life gets in the way. 
 
I agree with all of the other Airmen (or former Airmen) in this post. I hit year 5 this month of my first contract/term. I came in planning on doing 20+ and retiring. If I don't get orders out of this black hole for MX they call Dover AFB by spring of 2018, I won't re-enlist lol. Going to finish my school, and get out. Also, since this is an old post, have you been to MEPS to sign for an AFSC yet [Including open (such as open mech, open elec)]? Also, it is OTS, Officer Training School. Other than that, I hope you find an AFSC you like and end up sticking to your plan.
 
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