Been thinking lately that maybe I should put my masters in meteorology to use in the Air Force. With that degree, I should be put through officer's training and employed as a weather officer. I'll also get training and veteran's preference in a Meteorologist Intern job with the NWS or other govt agency later on, making me more likely to get employed after my military service ends.
I figured I would wait a little longer before doing this only if my job search continues to go sour. This way, I won't be idle and I won't have wasted the last 5 or 10 years of my life in college. I'll also finally build benefits for myself, and I think military work pays well in retirement.
Seeing as how Air Force has a pretty long waiting list (especially for officers), I would definitely recommend getting things in motion as soon as possible. That way you can work on fitness before you ship to OTS.
You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you.
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger,
You'll learn things you never knew, you never knew.
I would say to be careful. A particular Canadian friend of mine used joining the military as a way of getting out of his horrid job, and getting medical benefits. But now he is stationed in Afghanistan, getting bombed and shot at on a daily basis. In short, military might sound fun, but it is about the farthest thing from pleasant. Each time he has to go on patrol, or spec ops missions, it could very well be the last time I ever see him alive.
I highly advise against military if it can at all be avoided.
Well, it's not like Air Force usually go out on combat patrols. At least, not in his line of work. He'll probably spend the bulk of his time in a lab or computer room.
But yeah, I guess you can always be in danger regardless of what branch or job you're in.
You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you.
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger,
You'll learn things you never knew, you never knew.
Last edited by Adrian Ţepeş; October 6th, 2012 at 04:37 PM.
You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you.
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger,
You'll learn things you never knew, you never knew.
Air Force is aight... Been in about 2 years, and I love my job, but hate the political bs that goes along with it. Although, being an officer, you would be the one controlling the political bs, not the one that it comes down on... (It still does, from your leadership, but not as much...) Originally, I had thought about doing 20, and then retiring, but the way things are going now, I'm probably going to finish up this contract, then peace out and get a job where my work is actually respected. Some people seem to love the politics too though, so maybe you would love it as well! :P
Income is income my friend, as long as you are willing to take that plunge into the air force.
There isn't any harm applying in your next lot of CV's sent out is there. If they offer you a job you can always turn it down. No harm done is just applying; might even help you make your mind up.
Let me tell you about my experience trying to commission with the Air Force earlier this year. They aren't commissioning. Now, they might for you because you have a particular skill set they want. A friend did get commissioned, but, because she was a woman and they are desperate for "diversity" (I'm not being sexist here, she's the one who put it that way).
But, what I was told was, unless you are a member of the clergy, doctor or engineer, they aren't interested. You can still take the test, and maybe you'll get the call up, but the main reason you would is if the Air Force Academy class came up short, which it isn't expected to do until at least 2014. Furthermore, shortly after I gave up on that because I can't sit around until 2014, they let around 500 officers go which I think goes to show he wasn't lying to me.
You can enlist and with already possessing a college degree it puts you at the head of the pack for a commission in the future, but who knows when that will be?
Sorry, if it sounds like I'm trying to scare you off, that isn't my intention. My intention was just to tell you my experience. Like I said, it could be different for you, they may need meteorologists, but I don't want you to beat yourself up if it doesn't work out. It's tough out there, the worst my parents have seen in their lifetimes, or so they tell me.
Last edited by Red Menace; October 7th, 2012 at 12:29 PM.
Reason: In the old days when life got the best of you, you could stowaway with the Navy and start over, no longer.
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Air Force Maybe? 
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