Further Light and Knowledge

I have been really considering joining the Air Force. My husband has already served on the enlisted side so I know somewhat how the culture is. I would be joining as an officer (I'm a nurse). I guess I was just wondering if anyone on the board had experience in that specific area and could perhaps tell me how it is different on the officer side of things, as well as maybe getting a little encouragement. I'm still not even sure they will take me because I have had surgery on my ankle and knee but I am hoping they will. Any thoughts?

_________________
"We shouldn't be mad at Chef for leaving us, We should be mad at that fruity little club for scrambling his brains"

My only experience with anything military comes from hours spent playing Call of Duty and I'm pretty much useless unless you want to know where to lay a claymore, how to win Capture the Flag and some tips on hip firing a shotgun... One thing I do know:

The military is not like Call of Duty. There is no respawn.

In all seriousness, I admire you wanting to serve your country. I wish you the best.

_________________
All views expressed by jahedgpeth are the sole property of jahedgpeth inc. and subject to change by edit without notice.

Thank you for the laugh and the kind words. I know there are dangers, but I just feel drawn to it, partly because I want to make sure they get the best care they can get (I hope that doesn't sound arrogant). I'm partly stressing because as much as I have been trying to fight it, I have my heart set on joining and I would be really disappointed if I didn't get selected by the board.

_________________
"We shouldn't be mad at Chef for leaving us, We should be mad at that fruity little club for scrambling his brains"

I worked for the V.A. for 14 years, and your benefits will probably outweigh any negatives, since you are a nurse, and would be working in that field, I'm assuming. You and your husband would probably wind up with four sources of retirement. I'd go for it. 1000%.

One thing to bear in mind: once you sign on the dotted line, you no longer have any say in what they decide to do with you. They can even change the rules on you and you can't do jack-shit about it. The benefits may be great, but you're basically signing away your autonomy.

_________________
Nèg fè, nèg defè. -- Haitian proverb

If this is what you really have your heart set on, and it seems like you have your heart in the right place, it's probably the right decision for you. I had two cousins who joined the AF and who did well, and the AF did right by them but they also had the kind of attitude that you are sporting. I wish you well and hope that the AF see you as a potential asset and select you. Good luck!

LoCx

We don't have the autonomy we need anyway. We pay up the shit shack for health care, and if we don't have a job that provides partial insurance payment, most of us cannot afford the crap. We have an uneven tax system, which allows billionaire corporations tax exemption. We have the shittiest record in the western world on maternity leave, placing the family structure right where they want it, at the bottom. And what's happening in education has now placed us at number 23. I still say go for it.

I say go for it! I have an aquaintance that is a nurse in the Air Force and was promoted to Lt. Colonel a few years ago. It's possible she's a full Colonel now. She truly loves what she does and has obviously done well.

I have a really strong pull to apply for a job within my company that would put me in Afghanistan. DH is not a fan, but I think I would do quite well in the position.

Where do I go for advice on my situation? Seems I published it here, and now it's magically gone. I guess you have to be in the cool crowd, or something.

It's in the "uncomfortable admissions" thread.

I worked with a ward clerk at the V.A. who had a marketing degree, and her hopes were to get on with the marketing dept. there. After four years of not breaking into it, she was offered the head job with our state national guard, concerning supplies. She was required to go through basic, and then she had her job, since she had a college degree. Man, she's making good money now, has a nicer home than I do, has no need to get married, and takes fabulous vacations. And someday Uncle Sam will send her a retirement check that allows her to live quite nicely. Along with health care.

My hubby was military and it was hard, but we gained a lot also. It's a tough choice, but ultimately one that you'll just have to weigh and decide if it's worth the risks to you. I hope you stay safe and find your dreams.

_________________
God's wool be done ~ Colbert
Oh, and 1999!!!!

I know that there are a lot of waivers available for trained medical officers (regarding your ankle and knee).

I got out in 91 (and had a brief voluntary callback for Bosnia several years later), so my experiences may no longer be accurate. I also grew up as an Air Force Brat - but again these impressions are quite dated.

There are two different "Air Forces," and by going into the hospital (medical) you get out of almost everything that makes the military annoying. You still have exercises and inspections, but really, from what I remember of the people on that side, they run it a lot more like its civilian counterparts. They also go out of their way to keep good medical personal, and keep them happy, because they know that the opportunities on the civilian side could always tempt an annoyed officer to leave at the end of his/her term.

Reuben would actually be the guy to ask on this. His knowledge is from the Officer side and is current.

_________________
- CV Rick
-------------------------------------------------------

Thank you so much for the replies! Now I just need to get through a mountain of paperwork, the board isn't until January but I'll keep you updated. Thanks again!

_________________
"We shouldn't be mad at Chef for leaving us, We should be mad at that fruity little club for scrambling his brains"