The Air Force is an excellent choice for your future, and you’ll develop skills and gain experience that will help you for the rest of your life. While the military lifestyle can help people excel in their lives, it’s not meant for everyone and must be seriously considered before signing an enlistment contract.

If you’re considering a career in the Air Force, you should learn all you can about the Air Force and what it’s really like to be an Airman before committing to the decision. Keep reading to learn more about the Air Force, what you should consider before joining, and how you can start the enlistment process if you decide that becoming an Airman is the right choice for you.

Factors to Consider When Joining the Air Force

Meeting with a recruiter is generally the first step to joining the Air Force, but there are a few factors you want to consider before committing to a military contract. Some of the factors you should consider include:

1. Ability to Self-Motivate

You’ll need to keep yourself motivated when you’re in the Air Force, so you need to make sure you’re joining for the right reasons. You may lack the motivation you need to make a successful career in the Air Force if you’re pressured to join or choose to join for the wrong reasons.

The first thing you should do before committing to the Air Force is determine what your reasons are for wanting to join. You shouldn’t have to be convinced to make this decision and you should have valid reasons for wanting to join, whether it’s to gain career experience, find a sense of purpose, or learn valuable skills. Make sure you can articulate your reasons for wanting to join the Air Force before talk to with a recruiter.

2. Current Physical Fitness

One of the first things you’ll do after you enlist is go to basic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Boot camp is designed to be physically demanding so you’re well-prepared for your career, and you’ll need to pass a physical fitness test at the end of your training. The Air Force requires you to complete a timed 1.5-mile run, 1 minute of sit-ups, and 1 minute of push-ups.

You should assess your current fitness levels and determine what work you need to do to meet the minimum requirements for the fitness test. You can start working out and getting active before you’re shipped off to basic training so you’re more prepared to handle the physical challenges you’ll encounter.

Keep in mind you will also need to reach a specific weight to be eligible for service before you can be shipped off to basic training. Consider looking up the weight requirements in advance so you can hit these numbers before you go.

3. Your Future After the Military

Another factor to consider is what you want to do after the military. Ideally, the military should be setting you up for the future, whether you want to complete your contract and enter the civilian world or want to retire from the Air Force. Think about what kind of career you might want in 10 to 20 years, and see if there’s a job in the Air Force that will prepare you for that future.

The Air Force has over 200 careers available, and researching these advances can help you get a jump start on meeting the requirements. Some of these positions may require higher ASVAB scores or need you to meet other requirements for eligibility, so it’s important to know what metrics you need to reach before you enlist.

4. Your Medical History and Record

Your medical history will play a role in your eligibility for enlistment. Some surgeries you may have had or some medical conditions can disqualify you from serving, but it’s also possible to receive a waiver if the Air Force decides your medical history won’t have an impact on your service.

The military also has strict policies against recreational drug use and will require random testing from service members. If you have any conditions that require you to take medication, you will need to bring your prescriptions with you when you head to the recruitment office.

Another step of the recruitment process is a background check to look into your criminal record. A criminal record may be disqualifying, but some offenses are eligible for a waiver in some cases. You can talk with a recruiter to get the information you need to determine if you’re able to join with a criminal record.

5. The Military Lifestyle

The military and Air Force lifestyle is considerably different than what you’re used to in the civilian world, and it’s not a lifestyle meant for everyone. You will need to follow commands and practice self-discipline while learning how to lead and be led.

If you’re unfamiliar with the lifestyle, you can talk to active duty and veteran Airmen to get a better idea of what life is like in the Air Force. There are also plenty of online forums where you can ask questions and read more about the lifestyle of people currently serving in the Air Force.

6. The Commitment

Enlisting in the Air Force means signing a contract, which you can’t get out of as easily as you could a job in the civilian world. You can’t just decide to leave as you might end up considered AWOL. If you want to leave the Air Force, you must be discharged, which isn’t easy to accomplish and many reasons for early discharge are not good.

The required commitment is why it’s important to ensure the Air Force is something you want to do. Look into as many aspects of the Air Force as possible, including the different job opportunities, the lifestyle, and other important factors that will influence your decision.

Benefits of Joining the Air Force

There are many good reasons to join the Air Force, including the wide range of benefits you’ll have access to once you become an Airman. Some of the best benefits you’ll receive when you become an Airman include:

●Quality of life: The Air Force is known for its quality of life and offers its Airmen some of the best programs and resources. Airmen have access to some of the best dorms, recreation, on-base shopping, services, and more compared to other branches.

●Training and experience: You’ll receive the training you need to be successful as an Airman and develop years of experience in your career field you can transfer to the civilian world once your contract ends.

●Education: The Air Force pays for your schooling so you can receive college credits while in the military. You will also have access to the GI Bill, which you can use to further your education and get a degree in your desired field.

●Benefits: Airmen receive a wide range of benefits once they start their careers, including medical care, dental care, retirement savings, and more. You’ll also receive benefits through the VA, such as home loans, education assistance, and disability compensation.

●Pay and allowances: The Air Force offers competitive pay, especially since housing and food are paid for through the military. You’ll also have 30 days of paid vacation each year to take time off work and recharge. The Air Force also offers allowances, such as a Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) when you have dependents.

How You Can Start a Career in the Air Force

If you’ve decided you want to join the Air Force, you must follow a few steps before you officially become an Airman. These steps include:

1. Find a Recruiter Near You

The first thing you need to do is to head to a recruiting office near you. An Air Force recruiter will know everything you need to know about enlisting and will help you through the process. They can go into depth about the specific benefits of the Air Force and help you determine if it’s the right choice for you. You’ll find out about the next steps from your recruiter, but you should consider preparing some questions beforehand so you can collect as much information as possible.

2. Study for and Take the ASVAB

The next thing you need to do is take the ASVAB, which is an aptitude test the military uses to determine your eligibility for the service and which job is best for you. You should study and prepare for the ASVAB before you take it since you’ll need a minimum score of 31 to be eligible for the Air Force, and you may need a higher score if you want a specific job.

3. Head to Your Local MEPS

You will need to go to your local Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) after you take the ASVAB and talk with a recruiter so you can proceed with the enlistment process. At your local MEPS, you will undergo a physical exam to determine if you’re in good condition for service in the Air Force.

4. Pick a Career

The Air Force offers more than 200 careers to help Airmen develop the skills they need for their future and refers to these careers by their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). You will need to pick from a list of available AFSCs that you’re eligible for, and you want to make sure that you’re choosing a job that aligns with what you want for your future.

5. Start Preparing for Boot Camp

Now that you’ve taken the ASVAB, picked a career, and finished up at your local MEPS, it’s time to sign your contract and start preparing for basic training. At boot camp, you’ll be pushed to your physical limit to prepare you for your career and you’ll start the training you need to be successful in your work. After basic, you’ll go to tech school to get advanced training for your specific career.

Trust AUSI to Support You During Your Air Force Career

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