Air Force Reserve

[Larry's Angel]

I know there was a thread about AF Reserve/National Guard a few months ago, but I wanted to get some different information on this.

I'm slightly considering trying to get into a Military Reserve program for money, education, and experience reasons... plus because I'm a work-a-holic and hate having free time. I wanted information on how exactly it works without having to talk to a recruiter.

Here's my deal, I'm a reserve deputy and have a full time job at the State crime lab, I moved to Florida from Texas, have about 80 college credits but due to the state transfer crap I have about 8 classes to get my AA here (most of my stuff transfered as elective credits ). Any personal opinions on if y'all think going AF reserve would be a good or bad idea... and tell me the process and what exactly to expect as far as training, pay, deployment (don't have an issue with that since I'm guaranteed to not be unemployed when I get back ) and anything else you care to add. Oh and I'm single and have no intention of getting married or having kids anytime in the future... no plans of kids ever actually.


ETA: info or opinions on any reserve would actually be appreciated... i was looking at army too but from the other thread noticed that deployment is shorter for AF... not sure if i care either way... but i always figured if i did military it'd be AF... i'm open to anything though.

[squad51]

Sure I can tell you...

First off you get this dumb idea in your head to join the military..you watch the commercials you have the theme songs dancing in your head and then you figure nah....but wait I could go part time! I could join the reserves! So as the theme songs and slongans come rushing back you walk into a recruiters office. He gets really really really excited until you mention that you actually want to join the reserves..he tries to talk you out of it and join full time, but when that doesn't work he shuffles you out of the office and hands you a card for the local reserve recuirter.

Two weeks later you finnaly get ahold of the recuirter and you set up an apointment. He doesn't show up and calls you about a week later and you have yet another. He shows up late, doesn't get a chance to lie to you much and he leaves. Then you finnaly get to sit down with him he lies...but you like the lies and soon you are signing papaer work and then you are off to MEPS. At MEPs you take the ASVAB test and a complete physical. Then you meet again with the liar...er recuiter and you pick your job. Then you get a date for Basic Military Training. At BMT you spend 6.5 weeks in glorious LAckland AFB playing volleyball and have a nice workout everyday followed by a pleasent lunch as you learn about the military and how to march. Than after graduation you go to tech school and learn even more about the military and how to play volleyball....then you come home and figure out that the US Military doesn't have a reserve force and that you are almost constantly actiavated.....

[squad51]

Btw I may have exagerated some parts...and joining the military is not a dumb idea, and as a veteran I am proud to see others takin gup the task and serving the country.

[Airforcop]

I may be able to give you a little insight. I just got out of the AF as a SF member for the past 9 1/2 years. I had a long talk with the reserve recruiter before getting out, and may go that route in the coming year or so, but not any time soon.

First off, expect 5-6 months of training between basic and tech school. 2nd, most bases in Florida are full for security forces, I already checked, so you're probably gonna be assigned to a unit out of state. 3rd, expect to be activated and deployed a lot.

Personally, if I go reserve I'm cross training into admin or Information Management. Mainly because cops have the highest deployment rates, and I'm not willing to deploy any more, one of the main reasons I got out of the military. I'm not sure what your pay will be, but as a SSgt (E-5) I would make approx $300 for 2 days of work per month. You won't get retirement until you are 55, as opposed to getting it as soon as you retire if you are active duty. You will have access to all military installations and be able to take advanateg of shopping at the BX/Commissary. Once you obtain youre 5 or 7 level (forget which it is) you will be able to join the IMA. IMA allows you to work when you want to as long as you meet X amount of days per year. So you could go work for 2 weeks straight and not have to do anything for 7 months. As an IMA, you are assigned to an active duty unit, as opposed to a reserve unit. In most cases, if an IMA is activated, they will be assigned to the base and work there while the AD cops deploy overseas.

Overall, I think it's a good deal. As long as you don't mind deploying and possibly being activated for up to a year, I'd say go for it. Education benefits kick *** too. You will get the GI Bill and most states also have a Kicker which gives you $2000 or so each year for school. So depending on your school costs, you could go to school for free on the state and still have your GI Bill to fall back on later down the road. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Bullitt107]

Some thoughts...

Of all the branches to serve, the air components (Guard, Reserve) are the way to go. Upon completion of the Security Forces Apprentice course, you will be automatically enrolled in an accredited Community College of the Air Force degree program in Criminal Justice. In addition to that, you have the option to further your education by taking advantage of the many opportunities available (G.I. Bill, DOD student repayment program etc).
In the Reserves and Guard, you serve along other members in your community that are actively employed in various law enforcement agencies. Excellent networking opportunities! In my squadron alone, there are members employed by local, county, state, and federal. Through my contacts, I was able to get on with two different federal law enforcement agencies!
The decision of course rests with you. Its a job like no other and at times requires sacrifice (time away from family, mission first mind set and deployments to name a few).
The Security Forces career field is focused around "Force Protection". A majority of your duties would consist of ground combat operations and performing sentry duties. More so than law enforcement patrol but nevertheless, you will perform some. Just as long as you are aware of that one aspect.
If you want a competetive edge, and strive for higher educational opportunities, the service can help but its all what you put into it and take advantage of.
Good luck!

[Lawdog1228]

Bullitt, your reply sounds strangly like that of a recruiter. From my exp the CCAF is fine and dandy, until you try to transfer it somewhere. For some reason no one really accepts those credits. Could be the school just want to make their money, but CCAF wasnt much of a perk to me. The word on the street is that SF will be dropping most LE activities by 2007, most SF units will turn into what hte 820th is today. Only difference is that when you are at home station, you are working almost all security. This could all be wrong, but that is what i hear in the rumor mill. Don't get me wrong, I got some decent exp in the AF and i dont think I would have changed a thing. However IMHO I think the exp that will matter most I am getting on the outside, I just think the SF field has alot of catching up to do

[usafcop64528]

Whatever you do, check all angles out. My best advice is for you to talk to people in the career field if at all possible. People who have no preference as to if you join or not. Ask all ranks if possible, get some input from the lower ranking, E-1's, E-2's etc, and talk to some of the higher ranking people as well. It will help you get a broader view of what it is like. Don't just accept someone's answer. If they say, yes its good, ask what makes it good. If they hate their job/being in the military or whatever, find out why.