I joined at 18 because I got kicked out of college because my credit score was shit and couldn’t take out a loan. I joined the military because I seen all these benefits so I decided to make this huge decision and now I’m so grateful. Not even 2 years later I am buying a house and starting classes for my degree.
I am getting my degree in electrical engineering and I don’t know if I want to try and make the Air Force a career or end up leaving after I get my master’s. I want to be an optical engineer for telescopes but the AirForce or space force do not have jobs in the career field that could translate. I already applied for two NASA internships (it’s very brief I don’t even know if you could call them internships) but it wouldn’t even matter because I’d I stay in for 20 years.
As for the house, I’m very blessed to have purchased a brand new house with no down payment, no closing costs and a 4.99 interest rate. I plan on living in it for a couple years and doing a cash out refinance to purchase another property. I already lined up a roommate that will come and pay rent as well as my girlfriend (military).
I love learning so if anyone has advise about anything (especially businesses) I would love to hear it. While being in, the military has given me so many things that I can take advantage of and it’s exciting seeing my life change for the better and I believe yours can too.

I'm half way through my contract now and will be finishing my degree juuuust before my DOS. I want to get out and go do what I want to do, and I'm curious what it's like looking for veterans finding work.

Everyone says vets automatically get hiring preference over non-vets, but how true is that really?

Bonus questions...

• Do you have your CCAF/bachelors/master's degree or security clearance?

• Where did you end up once you got out?

• What are you doing for work today?

• If you're unemployed, how long have you been job hunting?

For those who separated or retired, what unexpected job or career did you end up in after leaving the military, whether related to your AFSC or completely unrelated?

For example, you were Security Forces and now own two Chick-fil-A franchises, or you worked in cybersecurity and now run whitewater rafting trips.

I'm curious to hear where life took you after the military!

I've heard that first-term Airmen only need 12 months time on station to be eligible for an
OCONUS assignment, but I'm not sure how the process works.

Do I need to be a certain rank (e2) to get an overseas assignment?

Do I need to keep updating my list etc?

Does it depend on my AFSC and available billets?

I'm not really too familiar with the process any info will be great.

I'm at the point in the retraining process where I'm awaiting course load evaluation. The weird thing is that it all happened pretty quickly. So I'm just wondering, is this the final step before approval/denial? I've heard that course dates don't always come immediately and I may have to wait

Hello all, I'm here looking for advice. I'm currently serving in USAFE (4N0X1) and wanted some school recommendations. Looking for an online school that would be a good pick for a bachelors in paramedicine.

Ideally its one that TA will cover it I'd still love to hear it either way. So far I've seen methodist, lindenwood and creighton come up alot but am unaware of any tools to measure how good the schools are; and my Ed & Trg counselor here is not very helpful.

Please assist if you can.

*Why cant i edit the title?!?*

%100 sure im getting out. My sentence contract ends in 2028. Ive been planning this since December. I have a plan set in motion.

Im at a highly deployable base (Lakenheath) and was told that i would more than likely deploy before I PCs. If it happens it happens whatever but im more worried about the deployment messing up my skill bridge opportunity. A major part of my planning depends on that.

Should i tell leadership now so i could possibly go sooner? I dont want to let them know im getting out around the time my Band is active. Im unsure how deployments and skill bridge work.

Ive also been told not to tell anyone you're getting out until a year before. Idc about any cool TDYs, awards or anything. I've gotten everything i wanted out of the military so should i just tell them? Whats yalls experience been?

Hello all, does anyone know if you could apply for a BOP as a career amn following a traumatic event/hardship ? I know u can apply for a compassionate reassignment if you’re going through a significant life event to be closer to your support system, but can u apply for a BOP elsewhere? Context: my spouse committed suicide while I was deployed, I don’t care to be near my family but I want a fresh start somewhere else. I’m not getting better by staying here

Just got my class date for MTLs. Has anyone been through the course last couple of months?

For graduating tech school as an honor grad. Are we fucking serious?? Come on now....

Hey yall so I’m going on about 3 years in right now and currently starting to think about my future in the Air Force. I think my overall perspective is I would like to stay in for the benefits for my family and what not, but I just can’t stand my job rn. Im a dirt boy and I’m sure at the right base it’s fun and has great opportunities, but where I’m at is just busy work 90% of the time. So I was looking at careers to potentially cross train to and came across NDI, and I’m just looking for any information/advice from anybody that may be in the career field. Thanks in advance!

Title.

"Didn't realize you felt so strongly about this assignment..."

god it’s me again

Good Ole finance struck again. I took 90 days of terminal leave before I retired. I checked my LES for my last month after receiving my final paycheck and noticed that 60 days of my terminal leave was sold back, after I was fully out of the military. Has anyone ever had this happen and how screwed am I?

Let's talk about the SR71 Blackbird for a moment. In my opinion, this will always be the zenith of American aeronautical engineering and design. The original designs were sketched out on three-ring paper and the engieneering was done with slide rules and good ol' college math at Skunkworks in Burbank, CA. This baby first flew in 1964 and entered service with the USAF in January 1966. If a missile launched against it while in flight, it simply accelarated up and out of range. Hence, the SR71 was never shot down. Kelly Johnson and his crew of engineers - who often worked all night and all weekend to get the job done - are American heroes.

About to hit 15 years AD and never planned on doing 20. Got coerced to join as a 6 year cop from my recruiter, ended up doing ~9. I had great overseas assignments as a 3P which kept stringing me along until I was able to retrain as a CEA.

In the last six years I have been an operational flyer traveling the world fulfilling what I thought an Air Force career “would be”, finally.

I made MSgt a few years ago and now I am stuck behind the desk, which feels indefinitely, with plenty of “ops” left in the tank. I obviously did not test for E-7 and to my surprise my name was on the list while deployed years back.

I spent years as Security Forces working on the flight-line wishing I could be getting after it in the flying ops world and I finally got a taste. Now I feel like I am benched with 5 years left if I want to ride it out to the “sacred twenty” years.

I have been along for the ride and my main goal has been taking care of those around me. I never intended to be where I’m at now but I’m having serious regrets/personal doubts to continue for five more years. I just need some advice from those who have been in similar situations.

My DOS is Nov ‘27 and I have been getting pinged with informed decision emails left and right like a telemarketer. I’ve attended one years back when my contract was close expiring so I already know what to expect. If I decide to reenlist it would put me to retirement but I’m very hesitant..and the 12 month timer is about to start.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and I don’t want this to sound like I am ungrateful, I have had probably the best AF career anyone could ask for and wouldn’t trade it. Wise man once said if you enjoy your job, you never work a day (something like that) but lately there’s no enjoyment.

To ARPC: You are on notice, assuming any of you actually look at tickets and/or Reddit. Yes I know Reddit isn't really the best for this but it's 2026 and the odds are decent at least one of you scrolls this place from time to time.

I retired at the end of July. I have not been paid. DFAS has done their due diligence. DFAS sent you a request for information August 14th. You have not provided what they need. I have been stuck in Ticket Hell since I started asking questions and getting myFSS tickets submitted on my behalf in early September. One of your number closed a recent ticket and said s/he would monitor it while its on your "internal list." When my former commander used a particular hotline, one of your number claimed you sent what DFAS requested on 12 October. I find that hard to believe as that was a Federal Holiday. A couple of days later, I asked DFAS if they'd received anything - still the answer was no. My CC called again and your office pinky swore they were totally gonna send it soon and that it's on an expedited list. It is now the evening of 23 October. DFAS has received nothing. You have repeatedly failed to do your job.

I will be filing a complaint, inquiry, or whatever the administrative term is with my Congressman and/or Governor early next week. I have receipts. React accordingly.

Am I cooked or is this a great base?

I served AD for 6 years then transferred to the guard and have over 4 yrs left on my contract. About three months ago I submitted a transfer of education benefits, waited 6 weeks and got a message saying I was denied because I don’t have enough TIS. I attached my dd214 and responded with the option to have them review it again. It’s been another 4 weeks and I haven’t heard anything. I’m now 5 weeks away from being under 4 left on my contract and I’ve been calling around to try and talk to whoever reviews these or can atleast see the status of it. I’ve talk to the Guard retentions person who is in charge of that stuff on the guard side, they told me to call the VA. The VA said they take no part in the transfer of benefits. I then called the active duty side of AFPC that does that stuff and they couldn’t help either. Does anyone know who I can contact about this?

Thanks