Joining the Air Force

Very funny, since I gave advice to someone wanting to enlist in the Marines to NOT do it and to finish hs school and become an officer. linky

I'd still suggest you go the officer route, then again, you are talking about the Air Force and as a member of 'The Real Armed Forces' and knowing they have a better quality of life, I'd say go ahead and enlist in the Air Force. Actually, no, go the 'O' route and get better pay, benefits and a lot of other intangible things that the paygrade has associated with it.
Honestly, I like the Air Force, I am an Air Force brat and both my parents were enlisted. One was a C-130 mechanic and the other dealt with hydraulics/pneudraulics instruction. I kid about being a member of 'The Real Armed Forces' when everyone in uniform kicks ass in their own special way.

 

Air Guard is your best bet. Check other units in your area that you might be willing to commute to on your weekend drill. You will most likely make friends there and have a more local place to stay. My mom did that essentially for 20 years with the ANG.

If you go enlisted try to get something that can crossover in the civilian world. Air traffic control is a great choice.

I don't know what your choice would be as an officer. If you have any desire to be a pilot enlist first, then while you are enlisted finishe your degree and by that time you will have your packet on the way for flight training. Now if that happens and you make the wise move to fly something with more than one engine, IE transport, fly tons of missions, essentially active duty with the ANG. When your hours are looking good you apply to a major airline and start making coin. This is exactly what the son of the former wing commander did and now flies for American Airlines making good money.

 

Crew Chief here. If you value your sanity, don't go a wrenchin'! Recreational maintenance is for the birds. Pun intended. My father was civilian ATC/FAA for thirty years after he finished flying C-7's in Vietnam. He was stressed out a lot but made a good living doing it!