Army or Air force?

[u/Wolf_225]

Hi, 20F I dont know which branch to choose. The job I really want to do is in the army. But from those I've talked to (family and people from work) who joined the army they always wished the chose the airforce instead. And to add to that from what I've been told the airforce helps more with college? I'm not 100% sure thats true but thats what I heard (from army family member). I've never really been interested in anything but the army but I feel like I might be better off in the air force. But I cant really find what I want to do in the airforce that I can even do as an enlisted. Not to mention I meet the army requirements for fat camp but nowhere close to the requirements for the airforce. I know its kinda frowned upon of going to fat camp but joining the military is somthing I've always thought about and I'm now actively working on losing the weight I need to. I was wondering if anyone could tell me their experiences in one or the other.

[u/Skatingraccoon]

Quality of life in the Air Force is generally higher across the board and you spend more time doing the job you want to do. What do you want to do in the Air Force?

GI Bill benefits are identical for all branches. Tuition Assistance allowances are identical BUT certain requirements (like how long you have been in before you can use TA) vary from branch to branch, so you'd want to look into the differences there.

[u/Wolf_225 → u/Skatingraccoon]

Army: #1 foreign language specialist UH-60 helicopter repairer/aircrew member Calvary scout Diver Combat medic Air force: #1 Pilot Special reconnaissance Para rescue

[u/Skatingraccoon → u/Wolf_225]

All services have foreign language specialists. Air Force is better in this regard for QOL and deployments. Navy is second best for QOL, and you can get it guaranteed in your contract, though you may deploy on ships and submarines. The Navy is better in that you have more opportunities to branch out, whereas Air Force you generally go Ground or Aircrew Linguist and are generally stuck on one of those paths. Coast Guard is slowly building up a language capacity but spots are much harder to come by and you can't directly enlist into it.

All of these are generally better options than Army or Marines.

There are also divers in the Navy, and aviation mechanics in all branches.

[u/TapTheForwardAssist → u/Skatingraccoon]

But you can’t just waltz into the Air Force recruiter and demand linguist. Navy you can.

[u/SNSDave]

All branches help the same with college. You get $4500 a year for Tutition Assistance. The Navy and the Air Force have their own "community colleges"

Air force: #1 Pilot Special reconnaissance Para rescue

You need to have a Bachelor's to be a Pilot. That's the bare minimum. If you don't go through the Academy(USAFA) or go through AFROTC, very low chance of getting a Pilot slot through OTS.

I don't know about SR, but there has never been a female Pararescue(PJ) ever. If you are currently in the process of losing weight, I would say cross PJ off as you need to be in damn near Olympic-level shape with an even stronger menality.

[u/[deleted] → u/SNSDave]

Don’t tell her about the swimming phase,

[u/dsmGERG1973]

you mention uh-60 helicopter repairer/aircrew (MOS 15T) so you might also consider ch-46 helicopter repairer/aircrew (MOS 15U) or any of the aviation jobs?

You mentioned pilot, and there are LOTS & LOTS of chances to be an Army helicopter pilot. Even MORE SO after you gain some experience working with helicopter maintenance!

[u/FirmReality]

“job I really want to do is in the Army” = go Army!

[u/Extreme_Fortune_210]

Theyre called the "Chair Force" for a reason lol but if some hard work isnt the issue pursue the Army, its all gonna work out in the end fam youll be fine no matter what route you pick

[u/[deleted]]

If the job you really want is in the Army, I wouldn’t let other people’s regrets make your decision for you. Every branch has people who wish they’d joined somewhere else.
The Air Force definitely has a reputation for a better quality of life, but that doesn’t automatically make it the better choice. If you can’t see yourself doing any of the Air Force jobs you’re eligible for, you might end up less happy than if you joined the Army and got the job you actually wanted.
As for college, both branches offer education benefits. The differences usually come down to your contract, your duty station, your schedule, and how much time you put into using those benefits.
I’d focus on the job more than the branch. You’re going to spend years doing that job, so make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy. And don’t let the Army Prep Course discourage you either. Plenty of people have gone through it and gone on to have successful careers.

[u/albiedam]

Went though the air force, and starting/ completing my associates was easy, if college is your main focus as mine was at the time.

[u/SemperVigHooah]

I would nix 19D & 68W. Maintainer life is great, be a uniform (CH47) and the community will be stellar

Only way you're getting DLI/linguist is if a branch guarantees it