I'm 19 and a woman. Air force VS Army?

Hello. I'm a girl looking to join the military because of job security, the physical/mental challenge, scholarship money, and a better understanding of the world. From what I've read on Y!Answers, it seems that the majority of people recommend joining the AirForce over the Army b/c of laxer physical standards, better living conditions, and 'family friendly' environment. However, the Army can guarantee the job of my choosing, has more chances for promotion, and offers more scholarship money. BUT the downside is longer deployments. Personally, I think ground combat is where it's at, but the easy AirForce sounds appealing as well.. as it provides a smoother transition to civilian life.





I'm planning on doing ROTC to serve as an officer in military intelligence, signal corps, finance, or jag . Could you offer your advice/experience?





p.s. Navy is Ok.. I'm not too fond of the water.

I'm 19 and a woman. Air force VS Army?
If you're interested in intelligence then do Army. I was in and its interesting, fun, and you're always learning new things. Your job training is in AZ which in my opinion is the best freaking place on earth and you get plenty of leave time to enjoy it.
Reply:I know you're not asking, but I don't think anyone who wants what you want should join any branch at all. The military is for war, to apply force to foreign enemies. Don't join it for job security, or a better understanding of the world. It's not a jobs program, it is quite literally a learn how to kill program. Every MOS is designed to support killing the enemy(for good or bad dpends on the point of the war, which is your call). Intelligence, JAG, these are to support the killing.


It's appealling to have a place you know you can be accepted, but college isn't any more difficult to get inot. There are lots and lots of college, and community colleges will almost sutomatically accept you and you can subsequently transfer. Scholarships really are easier to get than they seem, at least partially, and student loans only need to begin being paid after you are done with school.





Most importantly, the "better understanding of the world" you will get in the Army OR the Air Force will be pretty myopic. Would you expert a muhadjeen fighter to have a realistic view of you? I think the harder and more rewarding challenge is to make it after high school without using the military as a taxpayer funded-crutch. If you really, really believe that the current war is worth fighting, then that is a different story. Good luck from someone five years older than you who took a path different from the one you are leaning towards.
Reply:Air Force is tops however they have very high standards. (Note: I made it by one point) You'd be better off by joining the Air Force but the Army people are ok too. Most people in the Army tried for the Air Force but didn't make it. Nothing wrong with the Navy. They take the best of the best too. (Note: I served there too. Good people) What ever you choose you will learn something. Don't think the Air force is all easy. Some of those people work long hours and are under much stress to keep those planes flying. About Basic training in air Force:.... One still must run a couple of miles per day in the Air Force and do the standard push ups and strict inspection during boot camp. What ever you choose I hope and wish you the best.
Reply:People who say the AF is easy are people who were turned down by the AF.





The AF does not except anyone like the Army does. The AF spends more time and money training you properly than the Army, and is not as family friendly as people in other branches think it is. It always depends on the job and the duty station. My husband I had jobs in the AF that were FAR from family friendly, which is why I did not re-enlist. We were both SF (security forces- cops.) We were married 4 months before he got orders to my base, but I was deployed and so we did not live together until we'd been married 8 months (this was 99 and deployments were only 4 months long.) Anyway... we got pregnant and told to plan for the baby to live with family because we were both going to be deployed the following summer, the our daughter would have been 2 months old when we left and we were not able to go to the same location (I was going to kuwait and he to saudi.) So I choose to not re-enlist.





When our 2nd daughter was 2 weeks old we got a call from his squadron telling him to pack his bags, he was leaving in 10 days. He asked to extend his leave until he had to leave (so he could spend more time with the baby) and they said no. She was 7 months old before he got to see her again.





Housing is changing everywhere, we've had good and bad housing, infact the houses we lived in at our current base we had to move out of because the whole neighborhood was considered condemned and the AF tore the houses down.





Army doesn't have more chances for promotion, they just do promotions differently. The Army promotes eary, then slows off at E-5/ E-6. The AF promotes E-1 thru E-4 without any testing, but after 3 years you can test for E-5. How well you do on the tests and other things (EPR's) and how many they are promoting in your field will determine if you get promoted.
Reply:The Air Force has the highest percentage of women in its ranks and its officer corps. About one in five personnel is female.
Reply:I'm not in the military but my boyfriend is in the Air Force and his brother is in the Army. When my boyfriend was thinking about what branch to join, his brother told him over and over again "DO NOT JOIN THE ARMY". That is from someone who loves his job and is proud to be in the army. He felt that the Air Force is a better choice for anyone right now.





But only you can decide what is the best choice.
Reply:Hon, the Air Force is almost universally considered to be the best branch of the service. And also, the Army will lie to you for sheer sport. They almost NEVER keep their promises. The Air Force has really GOOD officers, lots better food and dining areas, cleaner quarters, and better educational opportunities. I was in the Navy myself, but long ago, and wouldn't know what to tell a lady about that.
Reply:Go where you get the best deal...make sure it is included in your contract. Rank comes faster in the Army (enlisted) Officers are about the same across the board.


Don't rule out the Coast Guard. Give them all a look and make your own decision


Good luck and thanks

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