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I'm considering joining the Air Force, but my family is really concerned about me being deployed, especially since I'm the baby girl. What is it like being a female in the Air Force, and being deployed? How safe is it? What can I tell my family to make them not worry about it? Any and all advice/perspective would be much appreciative. Thanks...
I am a female, in the AF, 10 years, never deployed. Females are still prohibited from direct combat duties by CONGRESS. You can't even do a direct combat job. Now, that doesn't mean you can't get deployed, or can't carry a weapon, you just can do a job where the main point is to fight/be in combat. If you are in Iraq/Afghanistan, you will likely never leave the base. Bases are relatively safe. If you look up war casualties, very very very few are women. It sounds cliche, but you have a better chance of dying from a drunk driver, bank robbery, lightning strike.
Call around to find a female recruiter, then go in and talk to her.
Last edited by Crew Chief; 11-26-2010 at 09:26 PM..
Thanks dmarie! I have been doing a lot of research lately, and just can't decide what to do. I am 23, and a college graduate. I got my bachelor's in Paralegal Studies. So I've considered looking into going in as an officer, but I've heard that is really hard in the air force, or may take quite a long time. I've also looked into going enlisted because there are a lot more jobs, and many of them interest me quite a bit. One thing, I'm just finishing up the Police Academy and have looked into Security Forces. I know that is both an enlisted job, and an officer job. If I were to go enlisted, would I be able to become an officer later, or what would you suggest? I've also considered the Air Guard, what are your opinions on that?
You can apply to be an officer up to age 34, whether from enlisted status or civilian status. For non-rated (non flying jobs) you need at least a 3.0 GPA to be considered. Enlisting can take up to a year as well. Officer's get paid more. But, as someone with a degree, you would start in enlisted grade 3 (E3) for having your degree.
For women, I believe that the Air Force is the best choice. I was active duty for 10 years, but got out to join the California Air National Guard. While on Active Duty, I was stationed at Spangdahlem, GE for two years. I absolutely loved it. Then I was stationed in California, fell in love with the state and got out of active duty and enlisted in the Air Guard. While I was active duty, I went to California State University-San Bernardino and graduated with my BA. Because of the GI Bill and saving money prior to entering college, I graduated DEBT FREE, while others had student loans. Talk to a female recruiter. Oh I have 28 years total military service. The military is the largest network in the world. I love it.
Ope522, you don't *need* a female recruiter, it's just sometimes helpful for parents who worry about their "daughter" to meed another female who has been in the military for years, wears earrings, has nail-polish, has a wedding ring, has long hair, is well spoken, yet still feminine, ect. It sounds sexist, but I've had a ton of parents tell me, "We so glad that we got to meet a woman in the Air Force before sending off our daughter."
They like to hear that you are treated equally, that you can do nearly any job you choose, that sexual harassment and discrimination are taken extremely seriously, 20% of the Air Force is women, and there are women in the highest enlisted and officer ranks, ect.
Don't let now finding a woman recruiter stop you, it was just a thought. Even though 20% of the Air Force is female, I have noticed that it seems like it is not proportional in recruiting.
Please let me know if you have specific questions...
Ope522, here's another idea: If the Thunderbirds (the USAF's aerial demonstration team) are performing anywhere near where you live, take your folks to see them. In addition to showing the public what our Air Force is capable of, they fly in support of the Air Force's recruiting mission. You will meet both men & women on the team. And there was a woman pilot serving with the team in 2006 (since promoted to a higher position)!
Ope522, I served with many dedicated professionals who happened to be female. And that was 15 years ago. I'm sure our USAF is an even better opportunity for women now.
Last edited by Crew Chief; 11-29-2010 at 06:44 AM..
Pick and choose your career field wisely. Be sure to talk to someone in the career field you choose...ask smart questions...and make sure you talk to a variety of folks. Know that most career fields do deploy...some more than others.
Best of luck!
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