Went to the USAF Recruiters today...advice? is this legit?

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

to make a long story short, i went to the USAF recruiting station in Des Moines today. i am currently pursuing a career in Air traffic controlling. i was talking with the recruiter and figuring a few things out. i will be taking the ASVAB next Thursday. he said that i need to put down like 4 different preferred careers that i would like to do. obviously air traffic control [1C1XX] would be my top choice. it was my understanding that i could join the service and do the career that i wanted to do so long as my ASVAB permitted me too. i will score pretty highly. i have 30 hours done at the college level and i am an AP scholar. i have also scored very well on the ACT. i am not worried about scoring anything less then an 85 on the ASVAB [dont like to flatter myself too much now...]

if i really want to be an ATC in the military, will i become one if i have met the qualifications? i DO NOT want to become a mechanic on an air plane or someone in the HVAC team if u know what i mean.

what is the easiest way to become the ATC in the USAF? i really think that it is what i want to do in the military and if i didnt get it, id probably be pretty pissed and wanna kill myself..

oh, another quick one, he said i'd go in as an E-2 based on my previously completed college work. is that also legit?

he said that sign-on bonus's were hard to get and only certain careers were eligible for them. i remember a few of u guys in my other thread saying u got some for becoming an ATC.

any advice or answers would be greatly appreciated! thanks guys!

-Tyler

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by CampbellsChunkySoupra

it was my understanding that i could join the service and do the career that i wanted to do so long as my ASVAB permitted me too.

The needs of the AF come first, and nothing is guaranteed. This is why even if you are qualified for a pilot slot, you still have to compete for one. The AF is all about manning levels and maintaining them across the force. As an example, I was an electrical engineer, which was a 62X. I wanted to become a communications engineer, which I was qualified for (which was a 33X). The 62X were manned at about 60%, while the 33X career field was manned at about 200% (they merged with executive officers, thus causing that career field to be overmanned). Further, at this time, the AF was about 85% manned, meaning that all manning levels in all careers could not exceed 85%. Thus, there was no chance I could cross-train into the 33X career field.

So, in answer to your question, if the ATC career field is overmanned, and another career field, say supply, is undermanned, you could end up in supply. I know it's not what you want to hear, but that is the way it goes.

if i really want to be an ATC in the military, will i become one if i have met the qualifications? i DO NOT want to become a mechanic on an air plane or someone in the HVAC team if u know what i mean.

That's the thing about the military - join the military because you want to serve in the military first and join for the specialty second. Otherwise, you'll just go nuts. The needs of the AF come first. There is no guarantee that even after they send you to ATC training that they could turn around and send you to maintenance school. Back in the early 90s, I had a guy in my engineering division who graduated from UPT with a banked pilot slot and ended up flying desk for 3 years. It happens.

what is the easiest way to become the ATC in the USAF? i really think that it is what i want to do in the military and if i didnt get it, id probably be pretty pissed and wanna kill myself..

You don't ever want to let anyone ever hear you say words like "wanna kill myself". Suicidal tendencies show mental instability, mental instability means you can't hold a clearance, and if you can't hold a clearance, well, there's not much you can do in the military. I don't know how serious you were (I really hope you were joking or being sarcastic), but understand that in this day and age, everyone errs on the side of caution. Unfortunately, I know a few people who DID kill themselves on active duty, and therefore, even if you are joking, you shouldn't make these kind of statements.

[Svirf]

I am currently in the AF Reserves maintenance. I have spoken with ANG about their ATC positions. If you want to be in the military and serve, no matter the job, then active duty is great. If you want to be in the military and have control over your career, reserves or guard is the direction for you. Last I knew, if you sign up with the reserves or guard, then you are assured your job even before basic. If you do join, get everything in writing and know that once you sign up...your in and the ball is in the military's court. I love being a reservist and I love being in the Air Force, but I understand it is not for everyone.

Jason

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

You don't ever want to let anyone ever hear you say words like "wanna kill myself". Suicidal tendencies show mental instability, mental instability means you can't hold a clearance, and if you can't hold a clearance, well, there's not much you can do in the military. I don't know how serious you were (I really hope you were joking or being sarcastic), but understand that in this day and age, everyone errs on the side of caution. Unfortunately, I know a few people who DID kill themselves on active duty, and therefore, even if you are joking, you shouldn't make these kind of statements.

it was simply a joke. sorry for my immaturity as i also have known several. thanks for the advice you gave.
-----------------------

-can anyone confirm whether or not this ANG/Reserve statement is correct? can u get the career u want before heading to basic or is it the same as the active duty?

-am i going to hear the same schpeel across the board by every recruiter from every branch?

-can anyone confirm about the sign-on bonuses and whether or not id go into basic as an e-2 based on my college coursework? does being an E-2 already make me an airman or is that just my level on the payscale?

-would i start getting paid as soon as i sign on the line or must i be in basic before i start getting paid?

[Ian J]

Mike made a great post! Great advice there.

The E-2 thing is legit. With differing levels of schooling/ JROTC you can go in all the way up to E-4.

[Ian J]

Oh, and it's probably the same in the AF (and if not someone will surely correct me), but you will know your career field before you leave MEPS. If you don't like it, you do not have to sign, no matter what they say.

But like Mike said, they can always re-class you down the road.

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

well this recruiter was making it sound like i needed to know 4 different career fields asap so i could get them down and if they werent going to give me ATC, i was going to get one of the others [assuming my ASVAB scores were good].

that sounds like trash to me. i dont really want to get stuck doing maintainence in montana. that would bore me. so id love to know what id be doing FAR before i even was committed. ill have to do more research into this.

im taking the ASVAB Thursday though. any recommendations for doing very well on the test?

-Tyler

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by CampbellsChunkySoupra

well this recruiter was making it sound like i needed to know 4 different career fields asap so i could get them down and if they werent going to give me ATC, i was going to get one of the others

Those are ones they would OFFER you. Until you sign paperwork at MEPs, you are NOT committed. You do not have to accept anything you don't like. They may make it seem otherwise, but that is a fact.

Many people go into the delayed entry program to wait for their career field to open up.

You must tell your recruiter your exact desires, and make it clear that you will not sign at MEPs unless ATC is on your paperwork. Seriously, make it clear. And if ATC isn't available - too bad, and you go find employment elsewhere.

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

ok, that makes more sense. if i head up to the MEPS, will there be people i can talk to as well or do i need to keep talking with my recruiter. i see in the book that he gave me that the USAF has 2832 ATC's. thats not bad based on what i see of the other careers listed.

i doubt i'd have trouble getting into that but he was making it sound like a gamble... "well, u basically put a few careers down and if u score well and we like u and u dont suck at life, u might get what u want. have a nice day..."

those werent his exact words, but they were similar to it.

are ATC's eligible for a sign-on bonus assuming i go active duty?
does the ANG offer similar sign-on bonus's?

[Ian J]

You've reached the limits of my knowledge - I don't know anything AF specific.

I suspect, but of course can't be sure, your recruiter's attitude suggests they can afford to be choosy because they aren't exactly having problems getting new recruits.

Thought about the Army? They have ATC as well.

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

yes i have thought about the army, as well as the navy and the ANG. i still need to do some shopping around with those guys. i know they are similar and all but my first choice so far has been the USAF. once i get my ASVAB done, ill go ahead and head into the other recruiting stations and see what they have to say.

i want to be an ATC. whatever branch that can do that for me is going to get some strong consideration.

[GatorFC]

Go Navy, Beat Army!

Sorry, Ian.

Definitely see what the other services have to offer, if only to play one off the other in terms of guaranteeing you the job you want.

Being a former squid, I'm partial to the Navy. Think about it. You could be doing ATC stationed at an Air Force or Army base somewhere, or you could be doing ATC on a Navy "base" that can cross Oceans and hit lots of varied and interesting ports of call!

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

ive thought about being a squid too. however, i dont know if i can handle living away from land for such along time period. im coldblooded too.i HATE being cold and wet and not being able to control things. idunno.

im considering the army too. i have some buddies in the army. one is in iraq and one is in kentucky.

the USAF is seeming the best because i know my career that i am pursuing is more of a "desk-job" vs a field job. the USAF claims they have the bets living style and they claim to care more about their troops. ie dorm rooms, cable tv when u go "over-there," ur only deployed for 4 months-ish at a time. etc. etc. etc.

what about active duty ANG? idk if u call them active duty, but the ones that are not weekend warriors that are in the ANG. do they get simliar benefits to the USAF? similar training etc?


i realize alot of my questions will have to be answered in the recruiting stations. i just wanted to see what u guys thought. i want to make sure im making the right choice. i would hate to be tricked into choosing something by a "sly" recruiter acting like a used cars salesman.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by CampbellsChunkySoupra

ok, that makes more sense. if i head up to the MEPS, will there be people i can talk to as well or do i need to keep talking with my recruiter. ./.....?

MEPS - Military Entrance Processing Station (or something close)

You will generally not go there until the day you are shipping out to bootcamp. Ian J is correct, (although the recruiters will tell you different) until you sign the line at the MEPS, you are free to go. If you get to MEPS and they have changed something, DO NOT SIGN. There is nothing they can do other than hassle you. Just tell them you are leaving and going to see the recruiters at (....insert service here....).

[Velocipede]

Never put down any speciality other than what you want to do. Why? Because recruiters have to meet quotas and they don't give a rat's A$$ what job you end up in.

My Navy recruiter tried that with me. I wanted to be a pilot. Period. He tried the "well, sign up for NFO just to make sure you get in. You can transfer later." No dice. It was pilot or nothing for me.

Later, in OCS, I met a bunch of guys who went for that line. They were all NFOs and the NFO to pilot transition was virtually impossible to accomplish.

Remember who the recruiter works for...it isn't you.

[H46Bubba]

Dude, if you want your job quaranteed, don't go into the Air Force. My borther learned that one. He got the "pick four jobs" bit as well. He didn't even get the four that he asked four, so be careful. I went to the Navy recruiter, said I want to be a Naval Aircrewman, and that's it. He showed me all the ratings that fall under the Aircrewman program and told me I would pick my rating(job) when I was at Naval Aircrewman Candidate School. I went to MEPs told the classifier what I wanted and they checked to make sure that my ASVAB score qualified me and wholla! I had it in writing in my contract. The only one who could #### it up was me! Being ATC in the Navy is pretty awesome. My friend was ATC in the AF and then crossed over to the Navy when his tour in the AF was over. He said ATC in the Navy is a WHOLE different ballgame and is a lot more challenging. He loves it. He did a tour on the USS Bonhomme Richard and is now doing ATC at North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego. Being at sea isn't as bad as you think it is. I had a blast on all my deployments. You'll see and experience more places and things than if you we're in the AF. Do your howework and stop by and at least talk to a Navy recruiter to see what they can offer you. I went to all the services and I was almost set to enroll in the Army's WOFT program, but they changed the prerequisits and The Navy was the only one that could guarantee my backup request.

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

quick question for u navy guys... how long are u ever at sea?

[H46Bubba]

Depends on what type of ship and what kind of operations you're participating in. On my first deployment, the longest time we did at sea was 35 days. On my last deployment, we we're inport every other week and that was on deployment! I had to keep myself on the ship or I would have been broke from all the liberty! The norm is ususally two to three weeks at sea.

[Velocipede]

In the olden days, you could be at sea 11 months, with line periods (the time you're actually AT SEA over 100 days. They don't do that anymore, though. I'm not sure what a cruise averages today. However, averages go out the window during wartime. You never know when they could send you or when you'll come back. That's the military crapshoot.

[skywestseth]

Army FTW,

If you have a high ASVAB the Army can guarantee you in writing that you will go to be an ATC'er (as long as you don't screw up). Army has lots of great programs and they also have the largest budget...they have mad bonuses as well!!

Plus you can enter as an E3 instead of with College and DEP advancement programs!

PM if you have any Army questions...

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by skywestseth

Army FTW,

If you have a high ASVAB the Army can guarantee you in writing that you will go to be an ATC'er (as long as you don't screw up). Army has lots of great programs and they also have the largest budget...they have mad bonuses as well!!

Plus you can enter as an E3 instead of with College and DEP advancement programs!

PM if you have any Army questions...

LMAO! Hmmm, yeah and they can't meet their quotas either! No matter if it's the Army or Marines, your primary job is being a rifleman. I've had several friends learn that the hard way no matter what MOS they are.

[bap327]

As a former Marine Corps Recruiter I can tell you that you have to be careful. Like someone said the recruiters hava a quota, but with the war and all stick to your guns, make demands and you should get what you want. Recruiters are behind the power curve right now because people don't want to go to war....pick your job and tell them if I don't get it in writing then I don't sign. Good luck and thanks for thinking about serving!

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

well thanks for the advice. i still have yet to talk to the other branches. i have another meeting with the USAF recruiter on monday and then i take the ASVAB on thursday.

my dad is trying to line me up in the ANG. i dont really wanna be a "weekend warrior" [or thats how ive been hearing it being called] so i dont know. he has connections high up and hes been talking with a couple people. hes a Lt. Col. i dont know how that will work out. when i go in monday, im going to make sure and demand taht i do ATC or ill say #### you and your couch! and then since its a joint recruiting station, ill just go across the hall

any more info on sign-on bonuses?

-Tyler

[GatorFC]

Check out military.com (http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Home/0,13387,,00.htm). There's some decent info over there.

They also have discussion boards with current, active recruiters who could probably answer some of your questions: http://forums.military.com/eve/forums

I don't know how accurate this is, but according to them the Navy is offering $15K for AC's (Air Traffic Control).
http://www.military.com/recruiting/b...iers-explained

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

awesome. thanks for those links. for $15,xxx, i dont know if i could pass that up! thats nice.

what are your guys opinions on the ASVAB? im not an idiot by anymeans. i survived the university of iowa and had a GPA of 3.4, im an AP scholar, blah blah, got a good ACT score..

any advice for what to study for the ASVAB? keep in mind, i havent done algebra for like 7 years. ive been doing calculus for awhile and other advanced stuff. anything to touch on quick before i take it next week?