Air Force Space Command

[RWB]

I'm thinking once I loose some of this weight I'll finally join the service, though not as a grunt in the Marines or Army like originally planned, too many realistic war movies have I watched since those times.

I'm 24, and ever since 6th grade I have wanted to be in the military, even joined the JROTC and frankly, I don't want to always think about "what if" and all that because I already have and it sucks. So right now I'm thinking of a more realistic job, been kinda searching online and stuff but not sure of what I really want to do, except that launching **** into space really intrigues me and I wanna do that.

I figure if others here know a bit more on these subjects maybe they can lend out a few pointers, like what kinda questions should I ask myself, and where should I go from there. I don't want to do this computer tech crap anymore, I don't think I want to be a systems admin for computers, and I am not too sure if I want to be an artist which is what I went to school for.

Besides being in the military, my mind has ALWAYS been in the clouds dreaming of space watching every discovery channel special ever created about space or involving it. Lately I've even been looking into physics, and trying to re-educate myself on some good ol' fashioned math haha. I'd say Michio Kaku and some of his books I have read have caused me to think of physics and I kind of feel I might have a real knack for it even if I've fallen a bit behind. But the way I think of it, 24 is still young and it's never too late to try something new and exciting because you only have one shot at life.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[airbornflght]

Well, if you are good at math and science I'd say that's the first step. Though I wonder if you have to have a degree in science or some such. I don't know though. It would be a pretty cool job.

[RWB]

Yeah I figure the ASVAB is gonna be a bitch due to restrictions I am sure they'll have on those type of jobs, but nothing worth having comes easy. I have plenty of time to learn quite a bit before being in good enough shape to join.

[airbornflght]

The ASVAB is easy. Took it with a broken arm which resulted in a lot of unclean fills in the dots and I still got an 86.

[Nomad]

Your ASVAB isn't what gains you entry into those jobs, they force you to go through college and get degrees in rocket science, etc.

[DogSoldier]

Whenever you talk to the recruiter, make sure you have people with you to witness them making their promises. I've heard a lot of horror stories about recruiters promising certain duties or MOS's only later to renege on their promises. With the "recruited" being sent to Afghanistan or Iraq. If you could tape the conversations, that would give you an even better bargaining chip when they lie, and THEY DO LIE!

[Nomad]

Whenever you talk to the recruiter, make sure you have people with you to witness them making their promises. I've heard a lot of horror stories about recruiters promising certain duties or MOS's only later to renege on their promises. With the "recruited" being sent to Afghanistan or Iraq. If you could tape the conversations, that would give you an even better bargaining chip when they lie, and THEY DO LIE!

No, it doesn't matter what they say at all because it's entirely hypothetical, you could never use it against them. The main thing is to have it in writing, recruiters are salesmen just like anything else. If it isn't in writing, you aren't getting it.

[airbornflght]

Yeh, I have friends that enlisted and it doesn't matter how much smoke they blow, unless you have it on your contract, chances are that it isn't happening.

[Leonardo]

RWB, I've seen some true facts and some speculation in this thread. Let's get to some facts:

With any of the Armed Services, it is unusual that a first term enlisted member can get a pinpoint assignment (exact location and job assignment) that he/she wants. Depending on ASVAB scores, results of security background checks and eligibility for different levels of security clearance, and certain job specialties being open or not, the member may or may not even come close to his desires. A witness or observer won't accomplish much when it comes to observing promises made by a recruiter. That fact is, if it's not in writing, it isn't there, it didn't happen. If you qualified for and selected an specialty with openings, then yes, if it's in your contract, you would get it. Whether you could get the exact job, exact assignment, and exact unit you desired at Peterson Air Force Base is another matter. Impossible for a first termer? Maybe, maybe not. It's definitely worth a visit to your recruiter. The Air Force has many technical MOS (military occupational specialties) that might appeal to you.

[Missileman]

To get into space command your record better be spotless or near it.

Took me 18 months to get Norad clearance and I already had a Critical Nuclear Weapon Design Information clearance (CNWDI).

Military used to work this way (and probably still does). You take your tests and they offer you an MOS. You take it and they guarantee that you can go to that school. Nothing more.They will allow you to select 2 preferred duty stations with no promises. Now when you get to the training school it's up to you to pass. If you fail the course you become whatever the service decides for you. You probably will not like it as much :)

Example: My nuclear weapon guidance computer repair class started with 48 people. Of those only 6 graduated and received that job. 2 more fell back one class, but did graduate, just later. Pretty high attrition for a 58 week class.

After 8 years I re-enlisted looking for another job. I went to nuclear power generation school as promised. The day I passed the course I received orders to go back to White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) as a research engineer which is what I was doing prior to school. They gave me what they promised (the school), but they didn't promise I could work in it.

The military is honest to a fault. They have to be by law. But be warned. they are like making a deal with the devil. Read all the fine print. Listen to every word carefully. Ask lots of specific questions and pay close attention to the answers. You'll be fine if you do that and make sure you pass the pass the school. Do not party, do not slack off. You can do that after you get to your unit. It's too important to succeed in the school.

[Leonardo]

RWB, we are not at all trying to discourage you. High goals in the military are attainable, but some of them will take uncompromising dedication and years of hard work to achieve.

[RWB]

I pretty much knew all of this... but thanks for that. If they turn me into a grunt I won't mind so much since that is what I wanted when I was younger(you know, action/adventure... bull**** duties and ******* MSG making you do crap you never saw in the flyer's and on TV).

I would get whatever I can in writing. Back in Junior High I didn't even try on the ASVAB and got a 67, I also consider myself much more intelligent than back then as well.

[Leonardo]

Shoot me an email or PM if there's anything I can help you with. Spent a LOT of time enlisted and officer, been in a lot of units, and have observed many different specialties from all services.