Air Force question

Amber - posted on 08/25/2009

I have been an AF spouse for 7 years now, and my husband has only deployed once which was last year for 6 mo. The deployments used to be 3-4 months and would cycle about every 18 mo. However the highly depends on the job field and station. Security Forces, I think, deploy more that most other jobs, but I can't be sure about that. It is believed that AF take care of their families and I really have no complaints in that department. There are all kinds of programs for families. I have heard that it's more difficult to get ito the AF, not just for asvab scores but your criminal, credit and educational backrounds as well.

Leslie - posted on 08/24/2009

Quoting Misty:

When my husband joined the AF he had to get a waiver because we had two children. Not sure how many you have, but he can still get in if he can get a waiver approved.

Misty is right! There is a waiver for everything! Don't give up if this is what you and your husband really want!

Jenn - posted on 06/28/2009

I was an army wife and luckily my husband's command was very understanding and was more than helpful during some family illnesses. Another thing to consider is if he doesn't test well than it could be harder to get promotions vs. then in the army.



AF is the only one that after he finishes and graduates from the security forces training, he does not have to go through the police training again as a civilian.



All in all each branch of the military has its pit-falls, but it just depends on what he is wanting out of his time in the service. Good Luck!

Brenda - posted on 06/27/2009

My husband is active air force and was only gone for 6 months last year to Iraq. I think, not sure but think that is standard in the AF.

Elizabeth - posted on 06/27/2009

Me and my husband has been in the AF for over three years now, and he has deployed once and is about to go again in Sept. I don't really know much about the other branches, but I can say that the AF was always sending me things in the mail to get involved in while my husband was away the first time. The police positions or (Security Forces) do ,however, deploy the most and have one of the most dangerous positions in the AF. That is why they are always looking for people to take that position on, but I love having my husband in the AF, housing is amazing where we are stationed!

Tami - posted on 06/25/2009

I have been an Air Force Wife for 17 years now. My AF man is not Security Police and I know that different AF bases have deployments for different lengths but generally they are deployed 3-4 months at a time.
As far as which branch is more family oriented I believe it is the AF. After talking with many families in different branches of the military it seems that there is more support for the spouse and family left behind during a deployment in the AF. I know that over the years my husband has been deployed many times and his Squadron has always helped me with any issues I have had and called me on a regular basis just to make sure we are ok.
Hope this helps you out at least a bit. Good Luck in what ever yall decide.

AnnMarie - posted on 06/25/2009

If you have more than 3 dependents they will not let you enter the AF whether you are single or married, because of the extra expense.

Krystal - posted on 06/18/2009

My husband does Security Forces in the Air Force. The deployment schedule, at least here, is 6 months gone, 6 months home. We were told that sometimes you can get lucky and get skipped over. We love the Air Force though. We tell our Army friends to switch over.

Adf0905 - posted on 04/27/2009

I was a Navy Brat who lived on Army, Navy, and Air Force bases. Air force bases were nicer, for the most part. But now I'm a Marine wife, and I definitely prefer the Marine Corps. We're at an Army base now that supposedly has more airmen than soldiers, and I miss our last base (Camp Lejeune.) I wouldn't base his enlistment on who has shorter deployments, because for all we know, that could change at any moment. As for who is more family friendly....all I can judge is between Army bases and Marine Corps bases, and Marine Corps wins.

Jessica - posted on 04/26/2009

Quoting Emerald:

he can get a waiver for the dependants. Plus I know lots of guys that enlisted (with a waiver) in the air force or marines with a wife and kid. has he tried going on line to talk to a recruiter? Basicly treat a recruiter like a politician, or used car salesman. If his lips are moving, he's probably lieing. (No offense to anyone whos spouse is a recruiter) Do your own research. Google is awesome.

Agreed!  My Dad was a recruiter for years, and is the first one to tell you that he would say want you wanted him to say....it wouldn't be true, but he would say it anyway.  They have to meet a quata.  I would go out there and do all my own reasearch, then come at the recruiter with all you have.  That's what I did when i enlisted.

Emerald - posted on 04/26/2009

he can get a waiver for the dependants. Plus I know lots of guys that enlisted (with a waiver) in the air force or marines with a wife and kid. has he tried going on line to talk to a recruiter? Basicly treat a recruiter like a politician, or used car salesman. If his lips are moving, he's probably lieing. (No offense to anyone whos spouse is a recruiter) Do your own research. Google is awesome.

Christine - posted on 04/25/2009

My dad was Army and he told me to go AIr Force. I joined the Air Force and loved it. The Air Force just seems more lax. The Air Force has a higher requirement for entry scores on the ASVAB because they aren't ground pounders. They needs people to use their brains in this service. Now, I am not saying the other services are dumb because they aren't. But the other services, Army and Marines, are such ground pounders they just want a man or woman who is as healthy as a horse. The Air Force has a lot fo family support programs for yourself and kids. The longest I have heard of the Air Force deploying was for 6 months. However, you and your husband need to sit down with a recruiter. Write down ALL of the questions you have. Take your list in when you meet with the recruiter. Your husband might be embaressed but it will give you answers you need and that is very important. When you are married and one spouse decides to join the military, it should be a JOINT decision. So, go talk to a recruiter and be straight up with the recruiter. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 04/24/2009

I've heard of a dependent status but only if you are a single parent....not if your a married couple.

Kandyce - posted on 04/24/2009

Hi Grace! I have been an Air Force Wife for 7 years now and my husband has been Security Forces all 7 years. (He is actually a K-9 trainer) I have never heard of the "dependent status" but I would definitely have him check into a waiver. The AF does take care of it's families and we have not had any problems since we have been married! As for deployments.....yes it depends on the job, but if he is going to go security forces it will be a minium of 6 months. My husband is getting ready to deploy in August and it will be a 6 month TDY. I hope this helps! If you have any other questions I can help with, please feel free to ask!

Heather - posted on 04/24/2009

Quoting Grace:

Well, it turns out he doesn't qualify for the Air Force or the Marine's because he has too many dependents. So it looks like the army.

Thats why its harder to get into the AF, itys not just about ASFAB scores,  Age and Family size, and criminal background are all a big deal.  My husband had to wait 6 months do go to Basic, I'm pretty sure the AF is full.  And thats because they are more family friendly, and have nicer facilities.  Look into the waiver, once your in you can have as many kids as you want.

Amy - posted on 04/24/2009

That makes no sense???? Why would they not let him in because of the dependant status?

Amy - posted on 04/24/2009

Well I guess I am an Air Force fan but I really do think that when it comes to the family it is more geared towards it. As an SP (AF) he can be deployed for about the same amount of time as the Marines I would assume. AF basic is probably the easiest out of all and I do believe that he would stay in San Antonio for his SP training, they may have moved it but that is where it use to be. Any which any place is great, serving out country is great. Make sure that he has the scores that he needs for the Air Force, if not then it helps the decision :)

Jessica - posted on 04/24/2009

Not only have i been an AF wife for 6 years, i was in the AF and was an AF dep. till i went in the AF in 03. I love everything about the AF, when the AD member deploys the supervisory and other members call and make sure the family is set...mow the lawn. It's really awesome. Basic training is 8 weeks now...which is 2 weeks longer than when i went through. Depending on what you individual scores are for your ASVAB depends on what you can do in the AF....ex if you want to do inetell, i think you need like a 90.

Misty - posted on 04/24/2009

When my husband joined the AF he had to get a waiver because we had two children. Not sure how many you have, but he can still get in if he can get a waiver approved.

Joan - posted on 04/24/2009

I don't know what "too many dependents" is. My husband's commander has 5 children and a wife, so that's 6. When my husband's father was in the AF, he had 9 children and a wife, and that was in the 70's so whoever told you that was full of crap...I would have your husband go to another recruiter or ask to talk to his supervisor.

Amanda - posted on 04/23/2009

Well I'm not sure how many dependents you have on yours but my husband has the 4 kids and me on there. You shouldn't just go by one recruiter if that's what they told you. Way out your options carefully.

Amanda - posted on 04/23/2009

Well my husband is in the Air Force and he is going to be in Special Forces on base, which is the military police. Marines are no different really from any other branch in regards to how long they can be deployed. The Armed Forces is VERY hard on a family but also rewarding. I love the Air Force though. I wouldn't want my husband to be in any other branch, My dad was in the Army and he was constantly away but that's just the price you have to pay when you are owned by the government. Good luck to the both of you in your endeavors.

Grace - posted on 04/23/2009

Well, it turns out he doesn't qualify for the Air Force or the Marine's because he has too many dependents. So it looks like the army.

Kelly - posted on 04/23/2009

I enjoy the AF.. my husband is an Airman and they are so family oriented and so nice to the families. They put forth and strong effort to keep us informed and my husbands supervisors have us over for bbq's and are always so polite to me and I really like being an airforce wife.

Kat - posted on 04/23/2009

Hi there, ia m British and married a guy in the American Airforce 2 years ago, we just had our 1st baby back in November.
I have friends that are Army and a brother in law in the Marines (American).
The Air force is fantastic here in England, im sure that would change some from place to place, but i haven't heard any bad reports.
I have an awesome support network, any problem personal or otherwise i have no worries talking to his bosses, and they actually keep their hand in and call me from time to time, hopefully that's something that's across the board.
However, my husband did go to Iraq 3 times in 2years, though thankfully before we were together. Stateside you are much more likely to be deployed unfortunately, albeit for shorter periods of time than the Army or Marines. But i disagree with whoever it was further up about them not being on the firing line, my husband was Helicopter SOG and as such was right there too.
Its true the airforce does seem harder to get into because they are looking sadly for more technically minded people. Read into that what you will, and yes there are people like that needed in all military, but as the British airforce, its just seen as a more intelligent option if im honest.
Security Force is good, but again i hear from friends that are Security Force in the airforce, that its a lot more involved overseas, and boy if you're looking for a good start in it, here in England, or actually anywhere in Europe would be a great oportunity for both of you. I say that as a lot of Military spouses work off base, and with the exchange rate as it was before the recession, i actually was making more money than my husband! Ha!

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide together, and have a great time. x

Grace - posted on 04/14/2009

Quoting Danielle:

The AF is more family-friendly in the area of deployments overall.  Of course, it does depend on what career fielsd he will be in.  Security Forces in the AF do deploy, however, it is not as much as Army and Marines from my understanding.  

As far as housing is concerned on bases, AF housing is more up-to-date than the Marine or Army bases.  I have noticed this in my personal visits.

With then-Secy of State Rumsfeld, force shaping (kicking airmen out to make money for planes) has created a shortage in many career fields as a result.  Some career fields are suffering more than other.  The Air Force Times paper had an article (a few months ago) about the possibility of letting some of those kicked-out soldiers apply to get back in to fill vacancies.  It's definately worth looking at!

That's interesting because a recruiter told us they were already 20% over for the year-to-date recruits they need. Good to know, something to look into.

Danielle - posted on 04/14/2009

The AF is more family-friendly in the area of deployments overall.  Of course, it does depend on what career fielsd he will be in.  Security Forces in the AF do deploy, however, it is not as much as Army and Marines from my understanding.  

As far as housing is concerned on bases, AF housing is more up-to-date than the Marine or Army bases.  I have noticed this in my personal visits.

With then-Secy of State Rumsfeld, force shaping (kicking airmen out to make money for planes) has created a shortage in many career fields as a result.  Some career fields are suffering more than other.  The Air Force Times paper had an article (a few months ago) about the possibility of letting some of those kicked-out soldiers apply to get back in to fill vacancies.  It's definately worth looking at!

Stephanie - posted on 04/14/2009

i haven't been in long but me and myhusband did a lot of reserch when he chose. we too had a family already and felt that hte af was a better choice for us. the less he is gone the better. with his job he will be gone 4 months at a time and only maybe once every few years we are very excited to be in the af cause we are moving to italy in 2 months. we have 3 kids and family is very important to us so i do think this is the best choice!

Raina - posted on 04/14/2009

The Air Force is more family friendly because they have shorter deployments. My husband's longest deployment is 6 months give or take a little versus marines or army's 18 month deployments.  My husband is military police,  called SF (security Forces) served in the air force active duty  for 8 years, got out for 7, while we moved, had our family, etc... and is back in the air force again and over in Iraq right now. He looked at other branches but went back to the Air Force because of their shortest deployments. Hope this helps you out.

Jessie - posted on 04/14/2009

It depends on the job and the base that you guys would be stationed at.  I think the reason why it's harder to get into the air force is because they want more guys that are tech savvy.  That's just from what I've heard.  It shouldn't be too hard for you guys to transfer branches, but you'll def see a huge difference between the branches. 

As for deployments, I know with my hubby's job he only gets deployed 3-6 months (he's been in for 5 years and still hasn't been deployed).  Now for security forces I believe their deployment is minimum 6 months.  I had some friends in security forces at Ellsworth AFB, SD n they were usually gone for 6 months every year.  Like I said though it depends on the base.  Some bases have manning issues and need all their men there, others have enough men to deploy out.

Teyaka - posted on 04/13/2009

My hubby is in the Air Force. We love it. He's not in security forces though. But overall, the deployments depend on his job. Some are gone 6 months, there are some who go for less time, and certian jobs that go for a year. But most deployments are 6 months (maybe a little less) and then he's home for a while. But like I said, it just depends on his job and how many people they need.

It is true that the Air Force is very family oriented. They make sure to look out for families. I know that when my hubby was deployed, his shop would make sure that me and the kids didn't need anything. I was also pregnant with out second child at the time, so they would call to check up on us too! It was really nice.

Jamie - posted on 04/13/2009

I dont know if or why its more difficult to get into active duty airforce. I know when it comes to Air Guard it is harder because they only have so many slots. And if thereisnt a slot you dont get in.  If my husband wanted right now he could go to the Air Guard, they call him once a month. Bu he wants active duty so he doesnt do it.  Which I can say Im nervous about. Im used to being a Guard wife. Yes my hubby is full time guard but I know we will always be in Arizona. Now when he goes Air Force I could have to move all over. Which I guess could be cool. but I think id miss my SS.

Grace - posted on 04/13/2009

Quoting Deidre:

I've definitely heard the 'rumor' that AF takes better care of their families than Navy at least. We're Navy and I have a friend that grew up an AF Brat and she says that the AF DEFINITELY takes better care of family than Navy. I have also heard that it his harder to get into the AF than the other branches. Also, her father (it was years ago so I don't know about now) would 'deploy' for a few months at a time, called TAD. Temporary Active Duty... I think he just went for training or what not. And they moved every 2-3yrs without fail. I will say though, if he's considering AF, definitely look into it! I only ever hear good things about the AF.

Why is more difficult to get into the AF? You only need 1 more point on your ASVAB than the others.

Jamie - posted on 04/13/2009

Deidre is correct it is harder to get into the air force then other branches.

Deidre - posted on 04/13/2009

I've definitely heard the 'rumor' that AF takes better care of their families than Navy at least. We're Navy and I have a friend that grew up an AF Brat and she says that the AF DEFINITELY takes better care of family than Navy. I have also heard that it his harder to get into the AF than the other branches. Also, her father (it was years ago so I don't know about now) would 'deploy' for a few months at a time, called TAD. Temporary Active Duty... I think he just went for training or what not. And they moved every 2-3yrs without fail. I will say though, if he's considering AF, definitely look into it! I only ever hear good things about the AF.

Jamie - posted on 04/12/2009

AF is way better My husband has been in Army 11yrs and is waiting to ETA out in 2012 and will be joining Air Force. Marines is more in the action when deployed, often refered to as "Bullet Stoppers"  Air Force and Navy bases are much nicer.  AF has Security Forces as there law enfrocement.  He is currently an MP. Air Force Basic Traing is less then Marines.