Finish degree or go in the Air Force?

[JasonC1984]

Well title says it all. I have three years to get my degree in computer networking. I'll have to take out student loans. Should I just go for it or go AF?

 

[Flammable]

if you go AF, you'll be enlisted not an officer

 

[duragezic]

What about ROTC?

 

[Nik]

Finish your degree.

 

[MedicBob]

Originally posted by: Nik
Finish your degree.

Then go USAF.

 

[Nik]

Originally posted by: MedicBob

Originally posted by: Nik
Finish your degree.

Then go USAF.

:thumbsup:

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: duragezic
What about ROTC?

This, you can probably continue on in your degree normally without taking out a loan, then go into the airforce as an officer.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: Nik
Finish your degree.

This.

 

[Sumguy]

Degree then Air Force?

See if your school has an ROTC program (most likely, it does) and talk to them about it.

 

[SilentZero]

Finish then go! I went into the army before university, and I wish I did it the other way around (better pay when your in after you finish school)

 

[Exterous]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: duragezic
What about ROTC?

This, you can probably continue on in your degree normally without taking out a loan, then go into the airforce as an officer.

Don't they pay for (at least part of) your education in exchange for x number of years of service? Not a bad option - graduate with a guaranteed job + it looks great on a resume

I can see it now:
"Able to subnet while under fire"

 

[Turfzilla]

Avoid the AF all together. Be a man, join the Army.




Source: Previous AF experience.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: MedicBob

Originally posted by: Nik
Finish your degree.

Then go USAF.

or go USAF then finish your degree while in the service.

 

[keird]

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: MedicBob

Originally posted by: Nik
Finish your degree.

Then go USAF.

or go USAF then finish your degree while in the service.

That's a gamble dependant on what duties he'll be performing and where he gets stationed. The best thing to do is finish his degree. I don't know if ROTC is the best choice for him, but it's better than being enlisted and unable to finish a degree.

Besides, going Army is a better idea. Unless he's going CCT or Pararescue, he's never going to get any chicks.

 

[StevenYoo]

finish your degree

 

[Svnla]

Take this advise from an old friend of mine who used to be in the AF. He was an enlist person for 4 years then went back for his BS degree.

DO NOT, again, DO NOT join any brand of military service as enlist person "IF" you can finish your degree and join as officer. The differences in pay, benefits, prestige, etc. are like day and night.

 

[keird]

Wait. I thought I recognized the OP.

He wanted to join the Coast Guard last week http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=38&threadid=2340817

with an ASVAB score of 38%? What job in the Air Force are you considering?

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: keird

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: MedicBob

Originally posted by: Nik
Finish your degree.

Then go USAF.

or go USAF then finish your degree while in the service.

That's a gamble dependant on what duties he'll be performing and where he gets stationed. The best thing to do is finish his degree. I don't know if ROTC is the best choice for him, but it's better than being enlisted and unable to finish a degree.

Besides, going Army is a better idea. Unless he's going CCT or Pararescue, he's never going to get any chicks.

remember: computer networking degree.
Branch of service regardless will "help" equally.

However: Army has a great need for the Signal Corp for those with computer networking. In the Army you have the option of being a Warrant Officer. The pay is in-between Enlisted and Commissioned Officer. But WO's have a lot of respect and are very informal in their attitudes in regards to D&C. They are the experts.
In Signal, the WOs are the ones responsible for the computer networking serious work, the type of stuff with a degree.
I don't know how it is in the Air Force, but commissioned officers in the Army are not required to be hands on in the networking duties, not a part of their typical job description, even though they can get right into the work, depending on the complication.

ROTC is a good idea though. Air Force enjoys picking the technical degree students, and their is a strong likelihood of the school tab being picked up by AFROTC.
And if doing that line of work in the military, regardless of branch, it is VERY easy to get into a civilian career when military communications hardware is on your resume. Good work, and helps get great pay in the civilian sector, though that career choice often has high pay to start.

 

[JTsyo]

There's the Air Force Cyber Operations Command, if you want to really get deep into IT, once you get your degree.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: keird

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: MedicBob

Originally posted by: Nik
Finish your degree.

Then go USAF.

or go USAF then finish your degree while in the service.

That's a gamble dependant on what duties he'll be performing and where he gets stationed. The best thing to do is finish his degree. I don't know if ROTC is the best choice for him, but it's better than being enlisted and unable to finish a degree.

Besides, going Army is a better idea. Unless he's going CCT or Pararescue, he's never going to get any chicks.

Yeh depends on finances I suppose. I know with the Army at least you can pick your MOS and sign a contract saying you will get that job after basic. But if he gets a good score on his asvab (better than a 38) he may have a good chance of getting what he wants with the USAF. I never enlisted with them so I do not know.

 

[Bulk Beef]

Originally posted by: keird
Wait. I thought I recognized the OP.

He wanted to join the Coast Guard last week http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=38&threadid=2340817

with an ASVAB score of 38%? What job in the Air Force are you considering?

Sounds like a good candidate for SF to me.

 

[overst33r]

finish your degree and go to OTS and enlist as an officer. at least that's what i'm planning on doing.

 

[keird]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
finish your degree and go to OTS and enlist as an officer. at least that's what i'm planning on doing.

wat

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
finish your degree and go to OTS and enlist as an officer. at least that's what i'm planning on doing.

Works fine - this way you have leverage on your MOS.

Did this 30 years ago

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: keird

Originally posted by: mariok2006
finish your degree and go to OTS and enlist as an officer. at least that's what i'm planning on doing.

wat

i don't understand your confusionz