I've talked to several people that served in the Army, and they tell me if it's not too late, join the Air Force. Why?

2018-05-10T10:49:57-04:00

Keep in mind that these two people are young, and I don't even think that they've been deployed. they've told me to join the air force because they are more laid back, and is easier than the army, or something along those lines.
I think that the army is something that, yes, it might suck, but it will be worth it. Any thoughts on why people nowadays prefer the 'easier routes' in the military? Is this just a coincidence that these two people think the same thing, or is everyone that served in the army share the same feelings? I Sure hope not...

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made May 10 at 2018 10:52 AM

2018-05-10T10:52:04-04:00

I don't believe that that is a good reason to join the Air Force- because the Air Force is easier than
the Army.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 10:52 AM

2018-05-10T10:52:59-04:00

I've been in the Army 18 years and wouldn't go back and change if I could. There is truth from the outside looking in that the AF is more laid back. I didn't want that type of environment. I wanted to experience discipline and difficult situations - I have a greater sense of accomplishment knowing that I didn't take the easy road. With that, the choice is your own. What do you want out of service?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 10:53 AM

2018-05-10T10:53:22-04:00

I've been in the Army for 12 years and I have no regrets other than my breaks in service. I should be retiring in August but I took 8 years off.

Response by TSgt David Holman made May 10 at 2018 10:59 AM

2018-05-10T10:59:27-04:00

I wouldn't pick a service based on one being easier than the other, it all comes down to what you want to accomplish. I chose the Air Force because I wanted to have a more stable quality of life, and wanted to focus on the medical side of things. I wanted to be a medic first, where in the Army you are a soldier first. I will say that I have nothing but respect for those who serve in every branch. At the end of the day, you have to make the decision.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 10 at 2018 11:05 AM

2018-05-10T11:05:12-04:00

Whatever branch you decide on, be sure of it, and be enthusiastic about it. Enjoy your time in service, welcome brother to be.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 10 at 2018 11:11 AM

2018-05-10T11:11:33-04:00

The AF has some things that are better but it depends on the person. I don't think I could be AF for 20 years. I have no regret about the Army. I just wish I had done some things differently. But to each his or her own is really how it goes.

Response by SFC Jeffrey Port made May 10 at 2018 11:12 AM

2018-05-10T11:12:09-04:00

Not sure how it is now, but back in the 80's a friend of mine's brother was in the Air force. The brother in AF said he hated it and was getting out. His biggest complaints about AF was that he had to be at formation 5 days a week at 830 am and was not released until 1530-1600 each day and only had 1 hr. 45 min. for lunch and that was not enough time to go home, sit down with whole family for a home cooked meal and relax and get back to work in time. He also picked up E-5 in 2 years time. Me and his brother did not have the same cruel work conditions as him, being infantry and Artillery!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 11:12 AM

2018-05-10T11:12:38-04:00

I have served in the Air Force and the Army Reserve.

Both tend to be what you make of it. Join the one that has the best opportunities for the area that YOU want to excel in. Then give it your all.

Response by MSgt C Madd made May 10 at 2018 11:13 AM

2018-05-10T11:13:41-04:00

Matthew Stout I've been in both, both branches have pros and cons when you line them up. What it really depends on is the chosen MOS or AFSC. Pick a job you want, not a branch.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 11:15 AM

2018-05-10T11:15:58-04:00

It depends on what you want out of your service. Do you want to kick doors? Go Army or Marine Corps Infantry, and maybe look at some more elite units like Rangers, SF, the Marines have the "Raiders" or something.

If you want a technical job to gain experience for a civilian career, AF and Navy are probably your best bets. (Army has some, MC has some, etc.)

If you want to make the military a career, choose a career field you want to pursue, then go Air Force. They treat you better, and far closer to a corporate job than any of the others (other than possibly the Navy. I've never worked with the Navy, so maybe a navy guy/gal can weigh in here).

I went Army because the Navy, AF and MC wouldn't take me (cause I didn't graduate highschool). The Army National Guard sent me to get my GED, and that's where I've been ever since. I like it most of the time. You get the perfect balance of BS and Benefits in the ARNG, in my opinion.

If you want to deploy a lot (every 3-4 years like clock work) go Air Defense Artillery in the Army National Guard. My unit has deployed somewhere between 11-14 times since 2004 (depending on who you ask, I think the official count is 13). You'll do anything from a mobilization to Washington D.C. to protect the airspace, to running a C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) mission in Afghanistan.

I love the Army, but I've put a lot of time and effort into the Army (volunteering for random things like National Training Center Rotations, New Equipment Trainings, etc.). I've got 8 years in, and I'm considering staying in for 20 years, but we shall see.

I hope this helps.

God Bless.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 11:28 AM

2018-05-10T11:28:12-04:00

Each service/career will be what you make it. The opportunities to better yourself and even excel exist in all branches.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made May 10 at 2018 11:30 AM

2018-05-10T11:30:48-04:00

Like the others have offered, it depends on what YOU want to do during your service. Some jobs are better suited to certain services. (ie. construction type jobs = Navy Seabees or Army Corps of Engineers) If you want better living conditions, better quality of life...go Air Force. If you want a more physically demanding job where you get to shoot...go Army or Marines. No one can (or should) make the decision for you. Weigh your options and make a decision that's best for you. Good luck.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 12:09 PM

2018-05-10T12:09:20-04:00

Depends on your goals. Regardless of which branch you choose a question you should ask yourself is, "what do I want to do when I have reached my first term of enlistment (four or six years)?" Do I want to separate and move into the civilian workforce or stay in the service? One of the key factors that will allow flexibility in making your decision will be education. Personally, I believe it is easier to work towards a degree in the AF (more time available) but there is no reason you cannot reach your educational goals in the Army. Ideally, you will select a job (MOS / AFSC) you like and preferably marketable in the civilian workforce. On the other hand, if you want to make the military a career education is still important but the decision on which branch comes down to personal preference in regard to your place on the battlefield.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 12:14 PM

2018-05-10T12:14:53-04:00

While stationed in Hawaii and having served with the airforce for a couple of years, I will say this: yes! The airforce is very laid back and undisciplined. They lacked basic leadership skills. They are given much more liberty and freedom, but in general cannot compare to a soldiers initiative and motivation. After 18 years of service with the Army, I can surely say I would not change it, specially not for the airforce.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 12:41 PM

2018-05-10T12:41:15-04:00

Are the people that told you that old? Or did they get kicked out?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 12:46 PM

2018-05-10T12:46:32-04:00

If your goal is to find the "easiest" career, I'd stop looking at the military altogether. McDonald's is probably hiring and it will be much much easier than even the Air Force.

Do what you feel like you were born to do. I wanted to be in the Infantry. Not because it's better than being a pilot or intel guy, but because that's where I feel at home. Where will you be happiest?

Response by SGT Nathan G. made May 10 at 2018 1:18 PM

2018-05-10T13:18:54-04:00

You should pick which branch interests YOU as an individual regardless of what others have to say about it. Personally, I was raised to steer away from easy paths because they don't benefit you in the long run. My favorite saying I have been taught is, "Embrace the Suck".

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made May 10 at 2018 1:45 PM

2018-05-10T13:45:06-04:00

Look at it like this, the Army and to a greater extent Marine Corps and Navy to a lesser extent are very regimented. You will receive less of the creature comforts than the Air Force. Each branch has its rewards. To my knowledge the Army is the only branch that guarantees your job at enlistment. The Marines have an unrivaled esprit de corps. The Navy will have you will show you more of the world than other branches. The Air Force is the most technical and generally the least strenuous of them all. Every service has its downsides, but that's the nature of the beast. Privates tend to fantasize about an easier time, because they get saddled with the physical labor. This is because pvt-spc accounts for almost 60% of the army and they haven't developed enough for the more complicated tasks yet. Regardless of which service you join, upon becoming an NCO, you will be at work before the junior enlisted and leave after them. You will spend a large portion of your free time dealing with your troops issues, picking them up from the MP station and doing massive amounts of paperwork. This is the nature of service, you must serve others. If you are worried about which is easier, I suggest that you go to college or learn a trade instead of joining the military.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 10 at 2018 2:02 PM

2018-05-10T14:02:48-04:00

What is it that you want out of your service? is it a highly desired set of skills you can apply outside when you separate? Is it adventure and traveling? Is it just the GI bill? really cant give you sound guidance without some further information on your part. tech skills I would lean more towards the Air Force - if you want to shoot bullets, set off claymores, and blow stuff up - I would lean towards the Army. And seriously, the Army is not that hard a job - you do PT in the morning for 90 minutes, then get 90 minutes to eat chow and hygiene, come to work at 0900 or so and do some work until 1130, then you go to chow, come back at 1300 and work to 1630-1700 - that is garrison. so in reality you work for about 5- hours on a normal duty day - sounds like the two people you spoke to have issues with being directed to do things

Response by SGT David T. made May 10 at 2018 3:27 PM

2018-05-10T15:27:27-04:00

I wouldn't say the Air Force is easier exactly, just different. I was attached to an Air Force unit for three months and loved it. They were laid back on somethings like customs and courtesies, but when it came to work they were not. I worked harder in those three months than I ever did with an Army unit. I also learned more about my benefits from them. Like I said just different. Everything has its ups and downs. Talk to all the service recruiters and see which one makes the most sense for you.

Response by SFC Steven Borders made May 10 at 2018 4:30 PM

2018-05-10T16:30:19-04:00

Matthew Stout I actually wanted to go Air Force but I was too old when I decided to join at 31. So, My second spot I went to was the Army they take everyone. Do I regret going Army? Nope, I have had unique experiences that I may not have gotten to do if I was in the Air Force. It really is all up to what you want to do and where you want to go. The skies the limit!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 4:38 PM

2018-05-10T16:38:56-04:00

Okay, well here's my $.02

The Army does still (mostly) have pretty strict enforcement on discipline that is not as prevalent through MOST of the Air Force (there are exceptions to every rule). I have witnessed this on more than one occasion, and have talked to several buddies in the Air Force about it. But The Air Force has it's pride and dignity in other fields than whether or not their people stand a certain way or say certain things to talk to one another.

Now, to address your second question (why people seem to want the "easier routes" these days); consider everyone that you have ever come across in your young life. The older guys constantly saying how easy the young'uns have it and how they had to walk 3,498 miles to school uphill both ways in the snow and what have you. Now look at the young guys. Dug into their phones, access to pretty much anything they need within a very short time, people more and more reticent to so much as raise a voice to them because social justice warriors and keyboard vigilantes making life a living hell for others etc. This has become a softer and more entitled world, and we, as the few who don't relate to that issue, simply don't understand why so many are unwilling to work for what they want and expect to have it all handed to them. But it is primarily the fault of the previous generations and society as a whole for doing just that. They handed everything to the kids more and more as time went on, to the point that it became the norm. then, when life comes a-knocking, they have no idea what to do because they have no idea what it means to work for something.

My advice to you: Embrace the suck. You will only be stronger, more resilient and more productive for it. And yes. It will suck. But with enough motivation, willpower and determination, you will survive, surpass and succeed.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 10 at 2018 4:55 PM

2018-05-10T16:55:58-04:00

Right or wrong, I have often thought there exists great cultural difference between the Air Force and Army. The essence of the Air Force are the planes and pilots in a high tech environment and the essence of the Army is comprised of various Combat Arms who get dirty and muddy. The Army has a built in arduousness to it, quite unlike the Air Force.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made May 10 at 2018 8:21 PM

2018-05-10T20:21:04-04:00

In February, 1960, I enlisted in the US Army, thinking I'd go Infantry. Instead, because the Army's infinite wisdom, my Morse Code score put me in the Signal Corps with advanced training, after Basic, to Fort Gordon, GA for radioteletype school. I had held several different MOSs in the Signal Corps and was a communicator--and intelligence NCO up to my retirement.
And that was where I belonged.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 8:56 PM

2018-05-10T20:56:51-04:00

Think about what you want to do when you get out of the service. Decide what MOS you want to have in order to achieve that goal. Research which branch of service offers you the best chance of getting there. If you don’t know, trust your gut and decide to never regret which choice you made. Regret is the quickest way to bring down your morale and your performance. Last of all, don’t stress too much about it. Regardless of what you decide, it’ll be the best decision you’ve ever made.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 11 at 2018 12:45 AM

2018-05-11T00:45:58-04:00

Any branch will be what you make it. Pick the one you think you are best suited for and roll with it.

Response by CSM Patrick Durr made May 11 at 2018 1:41 AM

2018-05-11T01:41:40-04:00

I never advise one over the other, I give the facts about my 32 years active duty Army and let them decide.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 4:09 AM

2018-05-11T04:09:03-04:00

that the Air Force is easier and more laid back than the Army is hardly a state secret. But if you are looking for easy and laid back, there are a lot of jobs easier than even the Air Force, so why join the military at all?

Response by Barry Davidson made May 11 at 2018 6:35 AM

2018-05-11T06:35:35-04:00

There are pros and cons for both services. I could not get in due to medical reasons even though I tried several times. I chose Army as they have several MOS' that appealed to me. I wanted 55B, but they offered 31F at the time. Get your foot in the door while you can. There's no guarantee that the MOS you want will have openings tomorrow.

My best friend started out as a 19K, and when they wouldn't send him back to the sandbox he cross trained into 55B so they would.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 11 at 2018 9:36 AM

2018-05-11T09:36:54-04:00

Mwha ha ha ha ha!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 10:33 AM

2018-05-11T10:33:16-04:00

Unless they have actually been in the air force they actually have no idea what the air force is like, they are just going off rumors and crap that all branches spout off about each other.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 11 at 2018 10:57 AM

2018-05-11T10:57:27-04:00

USAF- better food, better conditions, better locations, more technical jobs. USA- embrace the suck, but at the end of your time you will know you earned every dime paid, and you will have accomplished something bigger than yourself.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 12:15 PM

2018-05-11T12:15:04-04:00

It really depends on what you're looking for. The Air Force and Army have different approaches to things (with some decisions being outright stupid or overcomplicated). I personally joined the Army (despite my lack of any previous physical labor or workout) because I found something there that I personally didn't think I could find anywhere else.

The Air Force may be easier sure, and the Army may be all about doing it in the dumbest possible fashion at certain times, but that shouldn't be the deciding factor for which branch you choose.

If it helps, I joined the Army and could hardly do 20 PU, 30 SU, and run a decent time. It's been about a year and I can knock out 50 PU in about a minute, so 60 SU, and pass my run (yes pass, running isn't my strong suit).

Just consider the future after the Stupid Games commence and after you're done with the military.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 12:40 PM

2018-05-11T12:40:45-04:00

I often wish I had joined the Air Force instead of the Army. Mostly when I'm at 1 1/2 miles into the apft. I have some family members in the AF and honestly it's about structure, they are completely different with it. If words motivate you more than pushups or the mountain climbers, go AF. If you are a real man, go ARMY.

Response by MSgt Carl Stokes made May 13 at 2018 9:03 PM

2018-05-13T21:03:15-04:00

let's not forget you may not have a choice, the AF is very selective this is why the AF recruiters don't follow up with a lot of applicants - they are looking for the best. So first step is testing to see if you're even qualified for the AF.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made May 15 at 2018 7:08 PM

2018-05-15T19:08:26-04:00

"I've talked to several people that served in the Army, and they tell me if it's not too late, join the Air Force. Why?" If you are wanting to join the Army, do it...it's your life. It can be a wonderful experience or it can suck...it's what you make of it. You can say the same thing about a civilian job too...It can be a wonderful experience or it can suck...it's what you make of it.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 13 at 2019 5:35 PM

2019-06-13T17:35:59-04:00

Shouldn't you ask them? There is a general perception that the Air Force is easier and softer and less wear and tear on your body. It might be true, I don't know.

Caution: the grass isn't always greener. While their PT test is easier, the 38" waist thing isn't for everyone...as an example.

Promotions move faster in the Army unless you are in a small, stagnate MOS.

Do your own research and make a decision.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 13 at 2019 6:21 PM

2019-06-13T18:21:10-04:00

One aspect I like about the Air Force is the deployments are 6 months long and more predictable.

Response by Lt Col Robert Canfield made Feb 6 at 2020 3:39 PM

2020-02-06T15:39:07-05:00

A lot of good advice in these posts. The # one that stands out: "If you want easy, then don't join the military". That being said, take stock of what you want to do, and what you are good at. Hopefully there is some overlap between the two and you can try to find a service that has a specialty you like, and that you also have some applicable talent that will help you succeed.

Yes the cultures are different. The AF, Navy, and now the Space Force require more technical expertise. They won't let you work on, or operate multi-million dollar weapon systems without a lot of tech training. If you like tech stuff, there are quite a few aircraft maintenance jobs in the AF & Navy that might interest you. Also there are other tech jobs in communications (IT) and civil engineering that provide great training that is also applicable to civilian industry. If tech is not your thing, and, if you like doing infantry-type stuff, go talk to the Army or the Marines. If you like really big guns, then see if you can get into an armor or artillery MOS (Army, Navy or Marines).

Becoming a pilot (AF or Navy) is kind of like becoming a doctor; a lot of education and training. You need to complete a bachelors degree (4yrs), then get commissioned (ROTC, OTS etc), then undergraduate pilot training (1+yrs), then advanced flight training (~1 or 2 yrs) in the particular aircraft you will be flying etc. etc. etc. It is not until you are a Senior O-2 or junior O-3 that you are considered even close to "qualified". Then as you mature in rank, there is more training, more Professional Military Ed (PME), etc. An AF pilot will probably spend 25%-35% of a 20 yr career in flying/tech training, PME, or formal education (i.e. Masters degree). An exception to that is the Army Helicopter Pilot. The Army employs a lot of Warrant Officers to fly helicopters. There is still a lot of technical training, just not as much formal education. One more thing, physically you almost have to be perfect: 20/20 eyesight, no serious medical conditions, and although you don't have to be an Olympic athlete, you must meet AF (Army or Navy) physical and weight standards.

If you are looking at some of the other support specialties (medical, security forces, admin, personnel, etc.), those specialties are found in all of the services. As far as deployments go, you will deploy a lot more in the Army, Marines, and of course the Navy. The Navy is all about ships at sea. You can be at sea for 6 to 9 months. The AF and SF conduct most operations from their fixed bases but do deploy, especially when fighter squadrons, bomb wings, composite wings, or airlift support is needed at forward locations.

And finally, you may not get the specialty you want. Its all based on the "requirements of the service". If you have your eye set on a specialty that is 120% manned, guess what, they will probably place you in something else.