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| | My 18 year old son just signed the papers to join the Air Force today. Now I'm not new to military service as a former wife of a Marine Corps Gulf War vet. But this is a different time and a different world than when I lived at Lejeune and breathed the Corps life. For any Air Force personnel past and present do you have any advice, comments etc for this mom of a green behind the ears Airman? Do you even call them Airmen? lol.
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| | Other than the Basic which is a joke its great. The airforce takes great care of their Airman (yes we are called airman). We have good facilities and most deployments are 4-6 months. He joined the better of the services trust me, nothing to worry about.
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| | Thank you for your kind response. As a former Jarhead's wife I've only known the hardest ways for Marines in boot camp as well as their schooling. Deployments too can be longer than the Air Force. And in all honesty, my mindset is still Corps so it's a bit of a transition. I'm very proud of my son, and he's stoked especially once he got through MEPS (?). He leaves June 23rd so he's busy getting ready. I directed him to this site so he can have some contact with those serving as well as Vets. Thanks again for your reassuring words.
Connie.
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| | Congratulate your son! He made the best pick. If I had to rank in order of everything I've seen / experienced on military bases / posts - it would go as follows:
1) Air Force
2) Army
3) Marine Corps
4) Navy
Only because of the following criteria:
1) Air Force Bases are by far nicer than the other services
2) Air Force TDY's stay at hotels - and will defend those hotels if engaged by the enemy (especially if the hotel has a pool or a bar)
3) Army - spends a lot of time marching outside - where it's really hot
4) Navy - great if you never want to see your family again - or get a family
5) Marines - just too 'hard core' - but God Bless em for their service!
The Air Force is more like a "civilian military" job. Because the AF takes such fantastic care of their families. You don't generally hear a lot of 'bad' things happening in the AF. It's a bit more like civilian life.
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| | John, thank you for your support I will pass the message on to my son. I'm very proud of him and his choice coming from a former Corps wife and ye, Marines are hard core :-) .
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| | The Air Force is just like everything else in life, you only get out of it what you're willing to put in. There's really no one branch of service which is any better the others. Every service seems to have their ups and downs, so it's really subjective to what one likes and dislikes. In my case, the Air Force was the right and only choice for me. I don't know your son as well as you do. I can say that even if he learns the Air Force isn't where he wants to be in the larger picture, he'll still learn quite a few valuable life lessons. At a minimum, there's worse things one can do for four years than service in the Air Force.
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| | I am very proud of my son's decision to join the AF. And I know and hope he will have some very valuable life lessons. Thanks so much for your support and advice. I really means a lot.
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| | Congratulations on your son making a great decision! I wish him the best and just tell him to enjoy it! The military has been an amazing experience for me so far.
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| | Thank you for your well wishes. And THANK YOU for your service.
Connie.
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| | You're very welcome, and thank you! :)
If you have any more questions feel free to ask. :)
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| | Oh I'm sure this o'le marine spouse (frmr) will have a ton of questions! Thanks I know who to look for.
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| | Tell your son congrats! He will learn alot while he is there. Hope he enjoys his time.
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| | Thank you Paul, I will tell him.
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