Please respond!

[Anonymous]

I am seriously considering joining the military. More specifically, probably the AF. I am 22 years old with a bachelor's degree in psychology and women's studies. I feel I could use some discipline and a strict routine lifestyle. Plus I like the fact that it seems the military life can offer one some travel and adventure opportunities. I would like to get in better physical and mental shape; I am wondering if you feel your military experience gave you this, and if your experience was worth the painful experiences you endured.

I am also interested in your experience of the misogynous culture that the military is so notorious for. Is the treatment of women especially harsh? Is sexism very prevalent and unavoidable? Are there some branches that are better for women than others?

I have always been one commited to commutity service and helping others. I view my potential military participation as an extension of this value; now I will be serving not just my community, but my country.

I am considering doing something with JAG because I plan to enroll in law school when my active duty has ended. I feel this could give me some valuable learning opportunites and experiences.

Please, any feedback you could share regarding any aspect of this inquiry would be most appreciated. Good luck and blessings to all who read this.



rainbowbryt5@cs.com

[Anonymous]

Just responding to your message. I have just completed 4 yrs Active Duty AF, and am now in the reserves. The military is great. I loved my decision to join. I don't know how it is in other branches, but the women are treated just as equal as men. It is like a normal day to day job for me. I work Hospital Admin. But depending on the job you chose, your hours and days may be longer, may even be shorter than a normal work day. With your degree I would deffinately come in as an officer, so look into that. Active duty was great, but being in the reserves has so much freedom to it. With my personal experience, I was at one base my whole enlistment, which was in MO :(, and never got to travel. With the reserves, I am leaving for Hawaii in 2 weeks, and am going to Honduraus this summer. There is alot of flexibility in the reserves, so make sure you get both sides of the story before you make a decision. I hope I was of some help. I could tell you what ever you need to know! Thanks

Laurie:

I am seriously considering joining the military. More specifically, probably


: the AF. I am 22 years old with a bachelor's degree in psychology and
: women's studies. I feel I could use some discipline and a strict routine
: lifestyle. Plus I like the fact that it seems the military life can offer
: one some travel and adventure opportunities. I would like to get in better
: physical and mental shape; I am wondering if you feel your military
: experience gave you this, and if your experience was worth the painful
: experiences you endured.
:
: I am also interested in your experience of the misogynous culture that the
: military is so notorious for. Is the treatment of women especially harsh?
: Is sexism very prevalent and unavoidable? Are there some branches that are
: better for women than others?
:
: I have always been one commited to commutity service and helping others. I
: view my potential military participation as an extension of this value;
: now I will be serving not just my community, but my country.
:
: I am considering doing something with JAG because I plan to enroll in law
: school when my active duty has ended. I feel this could give me some
: valuable learning opportunites and experiences.
:
: Please, any feedback you could share regarding any aspect of this inquiry
: would be most appreciated. Good luck and blessings to all who read this.


lauren.rushford@whiteman.af.mil

[Anonymous]

I'm a scientist with 19 years active duty time in the Air Force. I came in through the ROTC program and have never regretted my decision to join. I've learned a lot about myself, people, and what it takes to lead. Although some of the more operational career fields may follow a stricter routine, I follow a pretty traditional work day. The AF will give you an opportunity to learn and practice discipline and encourage you to get in physical shape, but it's up to the individual to put everything into practice. Although I've had aggrevating and frustrating days (but no painful ones), overall I've had a very fulfilling and rewarding career and still have been able to maintain a relatively normal family life (I'm married with two kids).

As a women in a non-traditional career field, I would have expected to see the worst in terms of gender interactions, but have had mostly good experiences with my male colleagues. I was treated worse by my male classmates in high school when I was applying for my ROTC scholarship! I spent three years teaching at the AF Academy and the AF begins early teaching future officers about respect.

I would recommend you strongly consider entering as an officer and explore all your options rather than limit yourself to the JAG. You might even want to talk to someone to see if there are programs available that would send you to law school. This is out of my area of expertise, so I don't know for sure, but I'm sure a recruiter could give you the information. Best of luck to you, hope this helped!

lbrasure@earthlink.net