Air Force vs Army

Hey guys,
I'm at a cross-roads in my life. I'm commited to joining the military but I'm torn between joining the Air Force or the Army. I'm interested in the EOD field. I had planned on joining the Navy with an EOD contract but I have a repaired ear-drum that gives me trouble when diving, so Navy EOD is out. I've completed the ASVAB and physical at MEPs though.

This is the issue.....I turn 28 in June which is the age cutoff for the Air Force. I'm speaking with an Air Force recruiter tomorrow. I suspect I could be cutting it close to join DEP, take the PAST, and contract a job, and LEAVE for Air Force basic by June. I may have to take a different job on the list or go in with an open contract....and re-train in two years. And that may not even be possible...I could be s.o.l. and waste 6 months hoping for a job.

From what I understand the Army recruiter could reserve an EOD job for me at his office, if available. I would also enter the Army as an E4 w/ a college degree. I'm not interested in pursuing a Commission, at least not right now. I wouldn't have to commit to a number of jobs or go in as open.

Should I see how the Air Force job pans out? And then if that's a no-go check with the Army? Does anyone regret joining the Army?

 

1) Never go open contract , you cant even begin to fathom how bad its gonna be. EOD either way is a pretty hard field with a 70 something percent failure rate , but if you want to do it good luck . I think its like 48 weeks and your recruiter shouldnt have trouble gettign you a slot if your GT/ST are over 110.

Army - You actually get to do stuff , you get smoked here and there , the women are not very attractive and the living conditions 4 of 5 times suck oh and your MOS is gaurenteed in writing

Air force - Dont do much , get all the cool stuff , attractive women , weak PT , Cafes and vending machines in buildings and its hit or miss if you get your job field .

Im in the Army and I love it , granted if i came in younger i would be all over the Air force women , but since im older the Armys suits me better.

p.s Rank and advancement happens easier in the army

 

I don't know where he got his information from, but being in the Air Force as an Aircraft Maintainer we work hard and play hard. But as for office workers "NONNERS" in the Air Force yeah they definitely don't do anything. I love my job especially when the government trust me enough to work on multi-million dollar planes. So far I've worked on C-130, B-1, B-2, and the old as F*** B-52 and I've also been to many awesome places.

 

After seeing what the Air Force had to do in the field, compared to us.......I was jealous to say the least. Their idea of "roughin' it" seemed more like a high school bon fire, get together. They had better equiment, hot meals more often, less hours and as mentioned above, some good lookin' females.

It's all in what you want but from the conversations I've had with some friends that are A.F. vets, they in general, had it made. No regrets though....just wish I had of picked a MOS that would've transferred over to the civilian world.

 

Been in the Air Force for 10 years, I've also deployed with the Army too... Both branches have their good bad and ugly. It all depends on your job. All branches are cutting back so keeping your nose clean to stay in and finish your commitment will be key. I was a fast burner (made E5 in 3 almost 4 years) and fast to burn out too (still haven't made E6) but I'll have a Bachelors degree soon though so I got a little to show. Don't let the draw down scare you. They're really trying to get the people out that been around for awhile and need to go. I had a guy in my unit shown the door after 17 years because he couldn't pass a PT test.

 

Whichever one you decide, make sure you get EOD in your contract. I have been in the Army for over 20 years and the Army has been good to me. Serving is one of the most satisfying thing you can do so good luck with which ever service you decide on.

 

Double that! That upsets me, cause I work with Army Soldiers and none of them bad mouth us Air Force like that. The majority of them would want to be in the Air Force. Pick whats right for you! Either way WE are all on the same team.

 

You have a degree and want to go enlisted? Officer is the way to go...

 

Ive been in the AF about 5 1/2 years now. for sure dont listen to the ignorant post above about air force not doing anything, Ive done my time in iraq and will be doing afghanistan later this summer and also have seen other countries in the AOR.....every brach has its pros and cons whether its an office job or out in the field. Look at the options and create pros and cons to your liking. I'm pretty sure both branches are always looking for EOD techs and dont see a problem with you training into it. Ive also been considering cross training into EOD...still on the fence though.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. This inter-service rivalry stuff can be fun and healthy for esprit de corps, but at the end of the day, we are all playing on the same team. Just retired from the AF on December 31st after 20+ years of service--zero regrets on my end.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Hey man whatever choice you make the military is a good one! I am in the AF as security forces and I do nuclear security, not as glamorous as the other jobs or branches but it is still pretty important. If it was be i would join the AF as a different career maybe tacp, PJ or aerial gunner those are just what i would like to crosstrain to. Its all up to you man just do some research!!! and good luck!

 

Never go "open" regardless of branch. I joined with a Wife and (1) kid at the time so "Quality of Life" for them was a factor. Since I was married w/ kid (now kids) the AF suited me better. Yes, you can cross train but it's easier said then done. You have to be released from your current AFSC and depending on manning in that career field this may be difficult (ask me how I know). Sure each branch has it's perks and yes, you will receive biased opinions, but I'm surprised how many Soldiers I talk to tried to enlist in the AF and were turned away (for different reasons) so they joined the Army... just sayin'
Good luck no matter your decision and thank you for considering to serve.

 

I've considered the Officer route. But it's definitely tough competition right now. I enjoy being in a leadership role but I'd rather be hands-on for the majority of my military career. Rather than be a paper-pusher.

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'd be happy in either branch. We'll see what the Air Force recruiter has to say tomorrow.

 

Let me clarify here .... im in the medical field and work with Navy/Air Force personnel . Yes from what I have seen they dont do much , now im not saying thats in every field just the medical

 

As many others have said, open contract is probably a poor choice.

For you it sounds like the army with a guaranteed EOD gig is your best option. I don't think the other services offer E-4 to start either.

 

When I was about to enlist, Air Force had at least a year wait for DEP, and your job was never guaranteed. I qualified for every job in every service (didn't take the tests for fixed wing or rotary aircraft), and I went Army. They got me the job I wanted, higher rank because of college, and now giving me more opportunities to really push myself.

At the end of the day, you just need to figure out what will suit you best and what really interests you. Open contract is a mutha f-ing NO GO. Don't do it.

 

coming from a non military member both are respectable..

 

Well I just got back from talking with the Air Force recruiter. He told me he has multiple EOD spots a month...and sometimes has to give them up b/c he doesn't have qualified candidates. He said he'd personally do whatever it takes to get me into EOD...which is a relief. I think he was happy to have someone qualified and eager to go into this field.

Just have to get a few things to him and we're going to get started on it.

 

Good Luck to you

 

Having been in both, go USAF. I recall AF EOD being undermanned so a slot, should you qualify, should not be an issue.

Yeah..we in the USAF do not do much. If you take away aerial refueling, air drop of cargo, CASEVAC, CSAR, close air support, ISR (manned and unmanned), AFSOC assets, base security, air-land cargo movement, nicer living conditions, better treatment, nicer bases, hotter women..yup, not much here.

Either way, good luck. As others have said, great way to give back.