My 20yo brother may join the Air Force..UPDATE Post #21

[melanie18]

So my brother tells my sister that he is mtg with an Air Force recruiter on Friday. I'm not sure how I feel about this.

He is 20yo and basically, does nothing. My DM babies him like you wouldn't believe. Mostly because his DF (my stepfather) has been out of the picture most of his life. He is a really smart kid who, literally, has absolutely no drive and no ambition. He told me himself that he "needs a kick in the pants" to get a life. He hasn't worked in over a year and sits in his room all day. He is the sweetest kid in the world (my DD5 adores him ), but just doesn't know how to present himself to make a good impression at a job interview. He's also really immature for his age.

I know the Air Force would probably be a good thing for him, but frankly, we've never really had anyone close to us in the military. I'm really not sure how I feel about it. I feel like it's a drastic measure. He should give himself a kick in the pants instead of waiting for someone else to do it for him.

I'm not even sure what the point of my post is. It's just been bothering me all night. I've just told him not to sign anything until he thinks about it seriously. Once he commits, he can't just change his mind because it's too hard. I don't feel like he's really thought this through.

I'm babbling....

 

[noseybuddy]

That's a big decision. Once you join is there no turning back?

 

[Free4Life11]

It's kind of like the matrix...which pill do you take!

 

[mtblujeans]

It's kind of like the matrix...which pill do you take!

Hmmmm.....

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Sounds like the Air Force might do him some good. You should find out how long he would be in and see if that amount of time makes you feel more comfortable....maybe it will only be 2 years.

On the other hand, if he likes it as a career...that is the perfect age to join! If he puts 20 years in he will be 40 when he retires. He'd have a full "pension" and still be young enough for a second career. Could be perfect for him...never know 'till you try!

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I think it's great! I know many people in his situation who have joined the military, flew up the ranks, grew beyond anyones expectations, got out and scored amazing jobs.

Not one has regretted it, all wonder where they would have been had they not joined and more than half figure they would still be unmotivated.

If this is his own idea and something he wants to do I see no option other than support him 110% in it. He may realize without it he will be 30 and living with his mom, no life skills, no friends etc...

KUDOS to him

 

[Mickey527]

My son is going to join the AF as soon as he gets his associate degree next May. He wanted to get his degree because then he will go in as an enlisted man.
I was not too crazy about him joining because of everything that is going on, but He has wanted the AF since he was about 4.
My BIL, and 2 nephews were all in the AF at one time or another. My BIL went to Desert Strom but was send home after his 60 days were up. My two nephews got their training in the AF and one is an RN, the other is a cardiac PA.
The recruiter told me that it is usually the ROTC, andreserves that get sent away bcause they are the ones who practice techniques, the enlisted men don't do much after their 6 weeks of basic are done. Peggie

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm sure it will be great for him. My dad was AF, a friend is Army SF and in 28 years now, and my nephew who is 19 joined the Coast Guard just a couple months ago. He went through his first year of college and was less than thrilled with it. I'm sure he's having a great time with it. We'll see...I'll have to catch up with my sister.

Good luck to your brother. He may end up liking it and make it his career for 20 years!

 

[Martha7]

My nephew is also considering this, and his story sounds very much like your brother's. How dangerous is it for people who enlist at this point? Are they going to Iraq? I'm not aware if there is any branch of the armed forces who is immune from seeing combat. There are a lot of people with family in the military who post on the DIS, so you should get a lot of good responses here.

 

[Galahad]

Congrats to him! My nefew just early-enlisted in the Marines (he's a H.S. senior) and My Sister and BIL are very proud. It will be great for your brother!

 

[ToriLammy]

The Air Force is the best way to go of all the 4 services but then I'm an Air Force retiree and well, prejudice Of all the branches of the service the Air Force is the least likely to see the day to day combat of a place like Iraq. Most of the Air Force people deployed to the gulf region are in places like Saudi or Qatar or Kuwuit because they have established airfields (yeah airplanes normally need runways to land at )


Air Force Enlisted Intelligence

Of all the Services, the Air Force has the most intelligent enlisted people. This is not just theory; it's provable fact.

Take the Army. When the crap hits the fan, the young Army private wakes up to the bellowing of his First Sergeant. He grabs his BDUs out of his foot locker, dresses, runs to the chow-hall for breakfast on the fly, then jumps in his tank. Pretty soon, the company commander, a captain, arrives, gives him a big salute, and says, "Give 'em Hell, soldier!"

Now take the Navy. When the crap hits the fan, the young Sailor is eating breakfast in the mess. He hustles the 20 feet to his battle station, stuffing extra pastries in his pocket as he goes. There he sits, in the middle of a big, steel target, with nowhere to run, when the Captain comes on the 1MC and says, "Give 'em Hell, Sailors! I salute you!"

Now take the Marines. When the crap hits the fan, the young Marine is kicked out of bed by his First Sergeant and puts on the muddy set of BDUs he was wearing on the field exercise he was part of three hours earlier. He gets no breakfast, but is told to feel free to chew on his boots. He runs out and forms up with his rifle. Pretty soon, his company commander, a captain, comes out, gives the Marine a sharp salute, and says, "Give 'em Hell, Marine!"

And then there's the Air Force. When the crap hits the fan, the Airman receives a phone call at his off-base quarters. He gets up, showers, shaves, and puts on the fresh uniform he picked up from the BX cleaners the day before. On his drive to work, he cruises through the local fastfood drive-thru for an Egg McMuffin and a Coke. Once at work, he signs in on the duty roster. He proceeds to his F-15, spends 30 minutes pre-flighting it, and signs off the forms. Pretty soon the pilot, a young captain, arrives, straps into the jet, and starts the engines. Our young Airman stands at attention, gives the aviator a sharp salute, and says, "Give 'em Hell, Captain!"

 

[PA DISNEYLOVER]

My husabnd is a Navy Seabee who is currently in Iraq. He has wanted a military career since he could say the word military. There was nothing that was going to change his mind. He loves what the military did for him.

As far as who is playing a bigger role over there. It is Army , Marines , Reservist and Guard playing the biggest part. Navy Sailors and Air force are also over there but not in the numbers that the others are. My husband is Navy but he is a land unit. He has never seen anytime on a Ship.

 

[lovemygoofy]

You've said that your brother has been without a job and "needs a kick in the pants." Isn't he showing initiave by talking with the recruiter and showing that he wants to do something? I understand that you might not be thrilled with the military right now with the conflicts that are going on but all I can say is that your DB needs your support should he choose. This could be the kickstart he needs. He would get a GI Bill as well as technical skills he learns in the military. He would learn to be responsible and be his own man.
The scary part of course is the possiblity of death but there isn't any we can do one way or the other and dwelling on it doesn't do any good. In this day and age your db could be hurt just walking down the sidewalk or driving down the street. Just be supportive because this could be really what he needs to kickstart his life.

 

[Martha7]

Thanks to the posters who answered my question about which branch was more active in Iraq at this time. I appreciate you taking the time to inform me about it. I'll support my nephew in his decision! (Not to hijack the thread; I'm not the OP...)

 

[Blondie]

My 15 y.o. has been expressing his interest in the Air Force for several years now. I'm okay with it, as my dad was in the Navy, mom in the Marine Corps, and my maternal grandfather was also in the Marines. My brother, the Navy.


So......it doesn't surprise me that this is the direction he wants to go.

 

[Jynohn]

I think it's great that your brother realizes that he needs some direction and is taking steps towards making a better life for himself. As others have pointed out, there's too many guys out there who would be content to live in their mom's basement and hang out in the bars every night with their old high school buddies instead of becoming a responsible and productive adult.

My husband was like your brother once and I'm so grateful he made the decision to join the Marine Corps when he got out of high school. The military helped make him the man he is today.

I know you love him and are just worried for him, but I have a feeling you will support him in whatever decision he makes.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Scary stuff I know. My very close friend just finished up with Air Force basic training. He was like my big brother my last 2 years of high school. The Air Force, if you're going to join the military is definitely the way to go, from all that Ricky has told me. It's scary as anything though, knowing full well that he could be sent over. My friend is training for special ops, so we know the possibility is very real.
I say that if this is what your brother really wants, just stand behind it. I wish more than anything that my friend hadn't joined, but it's what he wanted, and it's his way of making a life for himself. He spent a year after high school working 2 jobs, because that was all he could think to do. But the jobs weren't anything that were giving him any direction in his life. I hope I make sense. I know I'm rambling. For some people this really is the way to go, no matter how much the rest of us are upset with the idea.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

My brother has been thinking about it on and off again for awhile--i live near an air force base in new jersey and we went to high school with kids whose parents were in the AF...were good friends with them today, a couple who just got back from Iraq and another that should be home soon..
I found the best thing with these guys, who are like my brothers, is to just support them..

 

[Chim Chiminy]

If this is a decision he is serious about, absolutely support him.

My DH was an Army recruiter for six years, Army Medical recruiter for four, and is now in operations at the NE recruiting battalion. He has seen a lot over the years, and one of the worst things he says is when a young person is set on joining but they don't have the support of family. It really tears up that young person, they are sometimes scared, naive, and desperately want the approval of those they love the most. They are wanting to make a change in their lives that is positive and will benefit them for the rest of their lives and a lot of families simply focus on the negative aspects of joining.

There are good and bad points to joining up. Those have to be carefully weighed by the individual.
Can the military be a good "kick start"? Absolutely. You never know, at the end of two years he may decide he loves it and can't see himself as anything but an airman.
You are away from family and that can be a big negative...........I know that has been one of the hardest parts. BUT there are people out there who will take you in as though you were family. Lots of military adopt the younger singles, having them to dinner, sharing holidays, etc.

You can get great training in a variety of fields, from mechanics to computer tech to nursing. AND you can go to college for free.
Right now, my DH is wrapping up a Bachelors degree in business....................all done for free. He has done correspondence with an accredited university and it has been great for him and his busy, and unpredictable, schedule. Two more courses and he is done. Then he will go for a master's degree.

He has been receiving job offers from major companies since he was 23, offering more $$ than we ever dreamed of. He networks all the time and we know when he retires in 8 years at the age of 39, he can start a second career with good pay. This is all possible because of the Army.

Encourage your brother to talk to all of the branches and really take some time to decide which is best for him.
You could even go with him and discuss any of your concerns with the recruiter.

Wish him luck!

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I did some quick research on the number of US Casualties in Iraq since the beginning of 2005. It looks like out of the 677 military members who died in Iraq this year, only 6 of them were Air Force or Air National Guard members.

If this war was one being fought in the air, I believe those numbers would be substantially higher than they've been to this point.

 

[melanie18]

OP here!

The more people I talk to that are in the AF, the more comfortable I'm getting with it. No matter how uncomfortable I am with it, believe me, I will support him 110% if he enlists. I just want to make sure its what HE wants. I don't want him doing it because other people are suggesting its the best thing for him. The poor kid, it's like he's got 3 mothers between me, my sister and my mother. No wonder he wants to enlist!

He wants to work with computers/tech stuff and the community college route did not suit him. If he doesn't go into the AF, what would he be doing for the next 2yrs? Probably nothing and when I look at it that way, the AF seems like the right decision.

Thank you so much for all the advice! I'll let you know how his mtg goes tomorrow!