Rough Choice - Air Force vs Police Force

[ProjektDaze]

I've been looking for a new job for the last four years and haven't been able to get anything except this security job that functions more like a side gig that an actual job, it's not easy to live off of. In 6 months I made $1500 after taxes. Most of that was Comic-Con money.

I'm born and raised Navy. I did Navy Junior ROTC for 3.5 years in High school and know my way around the military. I would go Navy, but their boot camp is now almost 14 weeks as opposed to the Air Force's 8.5 weeks. If you need more information about the Air Force Basic Training, its on their site.

Anyway, I'd do that for 9 weeks. Come out an E3/E4 if my ROTC stuff goes through. Be making bank, if I go in as a Photographer I'd be shipped out to DC for training. Making bank (kind of) and living around. I'd try to get orders to Japan, but if that doesn't work I could end up anywhere in the United States, with my luck probably somewhere I really don't want to be. *knock on wood*.

Sounds jippy except for the fact I've developed a bit of a problem with authority because of ROTC. I got to a high rank and am used to being in a position of authority when it comes to the military. I'm not saying it'd be a blow to my pride to start over, but it'd get in the way for awhile and make things hell for a bit. On top of that, the bad food at boot camp added to my picky eating habits (damn), life would suck for a bit.

So yeah, just looking for information. Lots of you guys have contributed valuable info already, thanks for that.

Remember, I'm not joining right now, this is just if everything falls through and all else fails.

[UnitedWeStance...]

OK first off, the CHP academy is the toughest one in the state. Its all military based and if you can't handle going to 14 week bootcamp like the NAVY for something you already know, what makes you want to go for 32 weeks that you know nothing about? If I were you I would just go NAVY. You already know the stuff, boot camp should be easy for you and yeah you may have to swallow some of your pride but its not forever. Just my 2 cents though....

[Stan Marsh]

I was in the Airforce, first off unless you have a hook up, good luck getting into the photography field (trust me I tried and my mother is a retired AF Major) and the field is very small and has very few openings. I was an Arabic linguist. I loved it. I was paid to learn a language I am absolutely fascinated about. The food is basic was awesome. Lackland has some of the best food I have had in the military. And basic training time will fly by like its nothing. I highly recommend the AF over law enforcement mainly because then if you want to go into law enforcement later, you don't have as much training you have to do because they count a lot of your military training. I still regret not being able to stay in. I am hoping I can pull some strings and get allowed back in as an officer.

[ProjektDaze]

OK first off, the CHP academy is the toughest one in the state. Its all military based and if you can't handle going to 14 week bootcamp like the NAVY for something you already know, what makes you want to go for 32 weeks that you know nothing about? If I were you I would just go NAVY. You already know the stuff, boot camp should be easy for you and yeah you may have to swallow some of your pride but its not forever. Just my 2 cents though....

I'm not just talking about CHP in Cali, I'm also referring to in general because I may be moving to Washington end of the summer. But yeah, I understand what you're saying. I just don't want to go Navy because I've lived it already and I'd rather see something else than the same old stuff again.

I was in the Airforce, first off unless you have a hook up, good luck getting into the photography field (trust me I tried and my mother is a retired AF Major) and the field is very small and has very few openings. I was an Arabic linguist. I loved it. I was paid to learn a language I am absolutely fascinated about. The food is basic was awesome. Lackland has some of the best food I have had in the military. And basic training time will fly by like its nothing. I highly recommend the AF over law enforcement mainly because then if you want to go into law enforcement later, you don't have as much training you have to do because they count a lot of your military training. I still regret not being able to stay in. I am hoping I can pull some strings and get allowed back in as an officer.

I think that's one of the first times I've ever heard the food was good lol

I've got other choices if I can't get in as a photographer. Japanese and Security are a couple of those. I was thinking of law enforcement later (particularly NCIS) but I'm not sure.

Thanks for your feedback and opinions fellas.

[Stan Marsh]

Japanese? is this all stuff your recruiter is telling you? because Japanese is an Ally language therefore it is reserved for only officers, not enlisted. And the food is good at Lackland because its kind of the posterboy for the AirForce. Also if your recruiter tells you that the only way you are going to get a job is by going in as open enlistment, DONT listen to them. In my flight of 50, I was to say like 20 of them were open enlistment, and when the day came for them to "choose" their jobs, all that they could choose was Security Forces. But seriously good luck in your search man, I loved every minute of it.

[ProjektDaze]

Japanese? is this all stuff your recruiter is telling you? because Japanese is an Ally language therefore it is reserved for only officers, not enlisted. And the food is good at Lackland because its kind of the posterboy for the AirForce. Also if your recruiter tells you that the only way you are going to get a job is by going in as open enlistment, DONT listen to them. In my flight of 50, I was to say like 20 of them were open enlistment, and when the day came for them to "choose" their jobs, all that they could choose was Security Forces. But seriously good luck in your search man, I loved every minute of it.

Nah, I haven't spoken to a Recruiter yet, gonna put it off as long as possible lol. My major in college is Japanese is what I meant. I wasn't going to go Open anyway, there's no motivation in basic training if you do that lol. I'd rather know what I'm going in for and be -somewhat- motivated before I go in.

I know the fields can be difficult to get into, and if it comes down to it and I have to join and all else fails, I have no problem going in as Security Forces. I'll use it later when I apply for NCIS after I get a degree.

I've been kind of interested in Cyber Security / Cyber Systems though, but I've never been much of a computer junkie.

As you can see, I don't have this planned out. I'm just considering options and taking in information. If I can find something before everything falls through, I'll be alright.