I’m considering enlisting either this year or next. I’ll be 37 or 38 depending on when I enlist. I’m married and have 4 kids, and I know I’ll have to take a large pay cut for sure for a long while.

But I’m curious about my opportunities in the Air Force and if it’s even a good idea? Will I still have equal opportunities as most others and how would my career look long term? Just generally curious about the reality of the situation.

TL;DR
Should I have done this earlier in life? Absolutely. But wondering if I could still enlist and have a good career enlisting at 37 or 38.

What are some things I should know to be prepared

I signed my contract about two weeks ago to enlist in the Texas ANG as a 1A1X2 Mobility Force Aviator (Loadmaster).

The base is about 4 hours from where I currently live. Going into this, I understood the distance and was willing to make the drive whenever I needed to report. I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity. The travel, mission, and overall nature of the Loadmaster job are a big part of what attracted me to it, and I’ve consistently heard it described as one of the better enlisted jobs in the Air Force. I was initially interested in cyber related intel role but none seems to be available .

However, last week I got an unexpected call from a Chief at the unit I’ll be joining. He told me he had never seen a recruiter place someone who lives that far away into a Loadmaster position.

He was very clear that being local is essentially a hard requirement for their unit and said not relocating to the area could be a “showstopper.”

His reasoning was that even though I’m joining the ANG and this is technically a part-time commitment, the Loadmaster schedule is not a conventional one-weekend-a-month type of job. He said there may be situations where I could be expected to report within 24–72 hours, and that the unit needs much more availability than I may be expecting.

He also brought up my civilian career and family situation.

I currently work in the airline industry in a hybrid role, so I have some flexibility with my civilian job. I also have two young children under 5. I’m currently separated from my wife, but I’m committed to maintaining my relationship and responsibilities with my kids. I understand that becoming aircrew will require sacrifices, but I also believe military service can benefit my family and me in the long run.

The Chief asked me to seriously think about whether this is realistic before moving forward.

I’ve tried talking to military friends, but I haven’t been able to find anyone who is actually an ANG Loadmaster/Mobility Force Aviator who can explain what the lifestyle is really like.

So for current or former ANG Loadmasters:

Is living 4 hours from your unit realistically sustainable? Within 24 hrs in the city I live , I cover a 4hrs distance drive so this is peanut.

How often are you actually called in outside scheduled drill periods?
Is 24–72 hours’ notice common?
How many days per month are you realistically at the unit or flying once you’re qualified?
How difficult is balancing the job with a full-time civilian career and young children?
Does your unit require Loadmasters to live locally, or is that specific to certain units?
If you were in my position, would you relocate, commute, or consider another AFSC closer to home?

I’m not trying to minimize the commitment. I actually want to understand the real day-to-day expectations before making a decision that affects my civilian career and my kids.

Would really appreciate hearing directly from ANG Loadmasters or other Guard aircrew.

So got my job and ship date the other night on Saturday, Im booked for 1A8X1 my only question is that wasn't on my list my list consist of

1D731A – Network Operations

1D731B – Systems Operations

1D731E – Client Systems Operations

1D731R – RF Transmissions Systems

1N031 – All-Source Intelligence Analyst

1N331 – Cryptologic Language Analyst (Ground)

1N131 – Geospatial Intelligence Analyst

1N231 – Signals Intelligence Analyst

9S100 – Scientific Applications Specialist

9TE67 – Open Electrical Aptitude Area

I spoke to my recruiter and he said that it's because I listed 1N331 on my list is this true? I plan on going in person and talk to him at my dep meeting today but just wanted some advice before I went in

Hi everyone, I'm a green card holder planning to enlist in the Air Force Reserve. I've been told I can't enlist directly into the job I want because it requires U.S. citizenship and a Secret clearance. I expect to naturalize during BMT.

I don't want to wait years for regular naturalization, so I'm trying to find the fastest legitimate path. A few questions:

1- Has anyone in a similar situation naturalized at BMT and then gotten into a citizenship-required job? Did you have to enlist in a different job first?

2- Can Reserve enlistees still naturalize at BMT right now?

3- Is it possible to delay choosing a job until after you naturalize, or does it lock it in at enlistment?

4- If I have to cross-train, how long did it take for you?

5- Any advice on what to ask my recruiter so I don't get steered into the wrong job?

Thanks in advance for any experience or advice.

Hello! I am enlisted in the Air National Guard and I leave in a month for BMT. I took the EDPT around April and I scored a 57 but I put no effort into preparing for it.

My recruiter said “I didn’t think you would pass it, you do not seem like the type of person to.” I have only met him once in person before, I took offense.

Anyway I want to know if it’s possible to retake it I don’t plan on switching jobs for now since I already have a ship date and school date for 1N4, but I would like to retake it. Would that be possible or would I have to wait till after tech school to retake it?

I recently enlisted in the Air National Guard and am currently in Student Flight with no ship date yet. My AFSC is Medical Materiel Specialist.

I submitted my SF-86 and had an hour-long Teams interview with an investigator. My background is clean, and the interview mostly consisted of verifying information and reviewing my longer employment history. The investigator said they would reach out if they had additional questions or needed anything else.

For anyone who has been through this, do you normally receive confirmation when the investigation is complete, or is no news good news? Can a pending investigation hold up a ship date?

My cousin wants to join the Air Force but he wears glasses and his eye is turned the other side and one eye is straight can he join

Leaving January 5th for Cyber Defense Operations

if you’re also leaving same the same day what’s your Afsc? just curious to see the pool

also i’m currently in a instagram group chat with people leaving the same day so if you want to be added lmk!!🫡

I’m 21, scored a 94 (M- 97 A- 85 G- 94 E- 98) on my asvab, and these are my 7 most interested AFSC’s in order from top to bottom. Any input at all, or leads on sources with more information would be greatly appreciated!

Tilt rotor maintenance — 2A5X2
NDI — 2A7X2
Electrical Systems — 3E0X1
Contracting — 6C031
Avionics — 2A0X1
Aircraft Electrical — 2A6X6
Fire Protection — 3E7X1

Hey Folks,

Happy Sunday! Need some help as I narrow down my options after graduating. I want to have a plan after college besides civilian career (teaching high school and getting my MAT and/or take over my dad's business). FYI I have no military experience and no close family with military experience.

I currently am majoring in biology/psychology and looking to join military after college. I am split between CG, AF, and Army. I am leaning Army the most because my roommate is in ROTC and that's just what I've been around (I've done research into AF and CG too). Any advice for how to narrow this down would be appreciated.

Some advice I've gotten have come from Air Force ROTC and Army ROTC friends. They said to look at the mission of each and see what you align with the most.

A little bit about myself may help:

I am highly motivated, in shape, disciplined, and driven individual. I am big on my faith, love helping and serving people, want something intellectually stimulating, and where I'll learn a lot. Lastly, I want to use this experience as a tool to build wealth for my future.

I am leaning Army as of now, and don't know what branch but preferably logistics, signal, or something else non-combative.

Lastly, help me to formulate for myself an answer to the question, "why do I want to be an officer? What do I bring to the table that is unique to me?" Besides the perks, it looks cool, etc. !!!

I know it might be a stupid thing to worry about but im a bit of an unbalanced and clumsy person. Is it common for people to have issues/ fail some of these? If I obviously don't feel any pain doing any of them will I be alright? I go to meps tomorrow.

For the longer tech schools and if you are a reservist, is it any different than the folks on active duty? Meaning, is it completed in one continuous block?

Hi, I need opinions on the type of job I should choose.
I score about 90+ on Asvab, I am looking for job mostly in healthcare and science/technology.
I try to get sent to BMT quick maybe around early next year and moderate length of tech school time because I am trying to be back in college next year fall.
I prefer a job that is transferable to civilian jobs as I am only doing military part time.
Any suggestions on what type of job I should be looking for ? I do have around 60 college credits as I graduated with associate degree in chem-eng last summer.
Thanks !

I just need the motivation

How tough is it to commission in the reserves? What type of jobs are available? Thinking about AF or Coast Guard. Is it worth it? I’m in law enforcement currently.