OCS/OTS

Any advice?

My preferences are:
1) Air Force OTS
2) Army OCS

I understand the prerequisites for each packet. I am fit, in my mid 20’s, and have a STEM degree. For shits and giggles I went to the Air Force enlistment recruiter and he highly insisted in going the officer route. Any insight is appreciated.

 

What do you want to do? They are very different branches with very different jobs and missions.

 

I'd say Air Force, but I'm also biased.

 

I am looking into nonrated, specifically 21R, 71S, and 13N

I am leaning in that direction! Dad is an army Vietnam war vet, uncle was in the navy, brother in law is a marine. But I’m the only one with a degree so I think it fits.

 

Coming from the Marine side of things, given those two choices, go Air Force.

Doubly so if you want to make it your career.

Tripply so if you want a family or are even entertaing the idea of one possibly.

Wouldn't even consider the Army if you already have a family.

Also Military life is hard on a family.

 

I have no dependents so it makes my decisions all the more easier lol. These are career choices so I’m in it to win it.

 

Go Air Force man, their facilities and amenities are much better funded and maintained.

 

I am a man of research so I can already confirm this

 

That's good you should know everything you can before making a decision like this.

But yeah having experienced it myself first hand it's true.

 

Anyways I am more curious if there is anyone that has gone this route and what bits of advice they can share. I’ve read up on Reddit as well but want to hear more personable stories from this community, if any.

 

Here’s what training for missile ops is going to look like: https://youtu.be/c-FT0T9Ei-4
So have fun with that shit.

 

I did ROTC in college, commissioned Army Reserve, pursued my passion for teaching. It’ll be 5 years in May.

Would I go back and change anything?
Nope, love what I do. Met, learned from, worked with, and led tons of great folks from all walks of life. All DoD branches, foreign military, and civilians. Made some lifelong friends along the way.

But if I went back and didn’t remember the Army life, I’d choose Air Force Officer.

What’s your priorities?
Military career, civilian career afterwards, family possibly?
I saw you listed logistics, investigations, and nuclear career fields.
20 years or even one contract, you gotta have a plan for afterwards.
Those fields translate well to the civilian side with some more schooling etc. You can do it too in the Army but generally the Air Force sets you up better for post-military. @Key-Rei is right about military life being hard on families, but I’d argue AF would relatively be easier.

Maybe those aren’t your priorities?
Standard of living, social networking, overseas or conus travel?

Air Force by far has the best standard of living if you don’t count the Coast Guard. Officers hang out with other officers of the same rank or Senior NCOs if you’re tight. So generally not people in your age group with the same interests, Officers either hang out with their SO or put themselves in social activity groups like hiking, shooting, etc. Travel both CONUS and OCONUS: dependent on what your job is and what your unit does, but you’re going to travel regardless as long as you’re not actively avoiding it. Doesn’t mean you can’t travel as a civilian on vacation.

Oh and AF deployments are 6 months while the Army standard is 9. One of the Airmen I worked with got a good laugh when I did a full year overseas. The military got locked down too during the pandemic

 

Air Force is an excellent alternative to military service.

 

Don’t take it to heart you might hurt yourself.

 

Don't read too much into a saying, you will embarrass yourself

 

Air Force is the best unless you want to be running everyday. And possibly have your knees destroyed. One of my brothers is an Air Force Mustang and another is Army commissioned (his knees are garbo)

That being said officer selection for Air Force was canceled this year. Even if you have a STEM degree your GPA better be high and your degree better be in the most needed category. They currently have a surplus of “O’s”

Currently going through the process myself.

 

I’m looking for sound advice, if you’re just here to BS move along...thanks.

 

I am aware of all this information, but thanks for the heads up! All of my credentials are in good standing, academic-wise and all.

 

Glad to hear it bro! Maybe I’ll see you at OTS . Also check out the Airforce ots subreddit a lot of good info there!

GLHF on your journey!

 

How old was your dad when you were born friend ?