Deciding to join the Air Force is a big step, and you’ll be working with a recruiter during the enlistment process until you sign your contract and ship off to basic. Your recruiter will be your lifeline between the civilian world and the Air Force, answering your questions and guiding you through the process.

The next time you meet with your recruiter, come prepared with some questions so you can better understand the decision you’re making. You may already have some questions in mind, or you may not know where to start or what to ask. Below, we’ll give you some of the most important questions to ask your recruiter, which may give you inspiration for other questions you can ask that are crucial to your decision.

10 Questions You Need to Ask Your Recruiter

With the right questions in mind, you can make better decisions about your future and really decide if a career in the Air Force is the right fit for you. The next time you go to talk with your recruiter, ask some of the following questions if you haven’t already to get a better idea if the Air Force is the best choice for your future career.

1. Why Should I Join the Air Force?

The Air Force is just one of many branches of the military, and it might not be the best branch for your personal goals. To make sure it’s the right fit for you, you’ll want to ask what the benefits of joining the Air Force are to differentiate it from the other branches. Your recruiter should be able to provide you with some of the main reasons you’ll want to join the Air Force and give you some realistic ideas about what your career might be like once you enlist. A recruiter’s job is to keep you informed, so you’ll want to ask about any potential downsides you may experience in the Air Force so you can make an informed decision.

2. What Are the Requirements for Joining the Air Force?

It’s important to know what the requirements are for joining the Air Force early on in the recruitment process. The sooner you know about these requirements, the easier it will be to prepare. For example, you will need to meet a minimum ASVAB score to join the Air Force, and you don’t want to take the exam before knowing this score only to be told you need to retake the ASVAB for a higher score. Other requirements you’ll want to be aware of include physical fitness standards, medical health standards, and other requirements that are relevant to your potential career in the Air Force.

3. What Are the Minimum Contract Requirements?

There are many careers in the Air Force that will require you to complete minimum contract lengths, with some contracts only lasting four years while some can last six years or more. At the end of each contract, you’ll have the option to reenlist, though your new contract may not have the same length as your previous contract. Talk to your recruiter about how long you can expect your contract to last.

Before you sign a contract, be sure to ask your recruiter about the service requirements you’ll be expected to meet. You’ll want to be aware of what you’ll be asked to do and the commitment you’ll need to make before making a final decision. Asking for this information beforehand makes it less likely that you’re making a commitment that you won’t stick to or like in the future.

4. Can I Pick When I Get to Leave for Basic?

If there’s a reason you want to leave for basic at a specific time, you will need to meet with your recruiter to go over your options and get any decisions in writing. Getting your leave date in writing is especially important if you have responsibilities you need to take care of before you ship off to basic, such as family care or school.

The Air Force also offers the Delayed Entry Plan (DEP), which allows future Airmen to enlist and ship out for basic training weeks or months after their enlistment. The benefit of this plan is that you will still be attending weekly training and meetings while you wait to go to basic, giving you a head start on your training.

Many people who use the DEP are people who need to delay the start of their career for various reasons, such as high schoolers who need to graduate or take care of familial or personal responsibilities at home. If you’re someone who could benefit from a program like this, it would be beneficial to talk to your recruiter about using the DEP to your advantage.

5. How Long Does Basic Training Last?

Air Force basic training takes place in San Antonio, Texas, and lasts eight and a half weeks. Keep in mind that during basic training, you won’t be able to access the outside world in the same way you could as a civilian. The point of basic training is to prepare you for the rigors of military work and life, so contact with the outside world will be significantly limited.

Your recruiter can tell you plenty about basic training, and you should keep your family informed about what you learn. If you and your family are prepared, it will be easier to make the appropriate preparations, and your family will better understand why you may go so long without contacting them.

6. What Requirements Do I Need to Meet to Get My Ideal Job?

Some jobs in the Air Force have additional requirements outside of the basic standards required to enlist. If you want a specific career in the Air Force, you’ll want to ask your recruiter what the requirements of this job are and if there’s anything additional you need to do to qualify. You should also talk to your recruiter about your qualifications and what jobs would be best for you in the Air Force.

7. Is It Possible to Speak to an Airman in a Role I Want?

If you haven’t decided on a job yet but have an idea of what you want to do, you can ask your recruiter if you can speak to someone who’s currently fulfilling the role you want. Speaking to someone who can accurately answer your questions about their roles can give you a better idea if it’s the right fit for you. You can ask these Airmen what it’s like to work in the specific role, what their day-to-day schedule looks like, what qualifications they need, and more.

8. What Will My Pay and Benefits Be Like?

Your recruiter should talk to you about how much you can expect for your monthly and yearly pay, which is based on rank and experience so that you can arrange your finances. As you spend more time in the Air Force, your pay grade will start to increase. Keep in mind that the Air Force provides free housing and meals, saving you from having to pay for these things while living on base. There may even be bonuses available during your enlistment, which your recruiter can tell you more about.

You will also want to ask your recruiter about your benefits, such as TRICARE and your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). It’s important to be familiar with your benefits so you can properly use them to your advantage. Your recruiter should be able to provide you with a list of your benefits and a detailed explanation of each.

9. Can You Tell Me More About How the GI Bill Works?

One of the most notable benefits of serving in the Air Force and one of the biggest reasons people join is access to the GI Bill. The GI Bill grants funding for college, graduate school, or training in a trade. Your recruiter should be able to tell you plenty of information about the GI Bill and answer any questions you may have about how it works. You will want to keep this information handy so you’re ready to use it when you decide to pursue higher education or training.

10. What’s the Air Force Lifestyle Like?

The transition from your civilian life to a military career will likely be more extreme than you might think. There’s a lot that works differently in the military that you will have to adjust to and your routine will likely look vastly different. Knowing what the Air Force lifestyle might look like can help you mentally prepare for your future career and life. Your recruiter will be familiar with what it’s like to be in the Air Force and can tell you what to expect. If you have any dependents, you should fill them in on some of these expectations as it’s likely they’ll experience some significant changes as they get more involved in the Air Force lifestyle.

Start Your Air Force Career on the Right Foot With AUSI

After you enlist and get to basic training, you’ll receive uniforms from the Air Force that you’ll be required to wear when you’re on duty. While your uniforms will be brand new initially, they will start to wear down from regular use. The Air Force requires you to maintain a certain appearance, which means your uniform needs to stay in good condition. At American Uniform Sales, you can find brand-new uniforms and replacements for worn-down parts of your uniform, ensuring you always look your best when you show up for work. You can check out our entire selection here to get started, or contact us today with any questions or concerns.