Need info before signing up for AF

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm a sophomore in college and have almost completely decided to join the Air Force. The biggest concern for me is the fact that my recruiter told me I will not know my job before I sign up. He said I can have four choices and hopefully I will get them. My ASVAB scores are very high, but I don't want to sign up and be stuck with a horrible job for years. *Also* I am mainly interested in intelligence jobs. Does anyone have any advice about an intelligence job to choose, or how competitive it is to acquire a job like that? The extensive background check is intimidating as well. Is it really that bad? Please help, I have to make a decision soon!!

jrc514s@smsu.edu

[Anonymous]

First: See several other recruiters. Yours might have simply used up his/her quota for the guaranteed jobs.

Second: Yes, you heard right: there is a thing called guaranteed jobs where you sign a contract for a specific job ahead of time,and as long as you pass muster (i.e.: Don't fail physically, don't wash out of training for any reason, don't have any discipline problems, score high enough on prerequisite tests...etc.), your job slot will be guaranteed. They will post you wherever they need you, so decide what means more to you: Location or work. You can't request both simultaneously. That having been said, the trump card is "Air Force Needs", and we are all at its mercy. If the AF determines that it is in its best interests at any given point in time and situation to put you where it sees fit, it can and will do so. On the OTHER hand, keep in mind that since intel jobs are often hard to fill, the AF will be loathe to reassign you to another job if you do indeed qualify. (Supply and demand...)

Third: Talk to intel people. Lots of them. You'll start to get the idea implicitly and explicitly whether you belong there or not. As for the background check, be totally and conmpletely honest and open. It's more important that you hide nothing than that you be "perfect"; which, by the way, almost nobody is. Whatever you do, DO NOT let a recruiter talk/scare you into NOT putting something down that he/she says will be disqualifying unless/until you talk with real active duty people to get their input. No recuiter can/should tell anyone to omit anything from their paperwork. That mistake is called "Fraudulent Enlistment", and it can get you thrown out in a heartbeat.

Fourth: Some jobs are more competitive than others. Don't let that determine your choice. If you're motivated because you find the job intriguing, the competition will take care of itself, and you'll be right in there. Again, talk to people. Take your time, do your research. Then go for it! Good luck.

T_Pau@juno.com

[Anonymous]

Go to another recruiter. But I would also consider getting your bachelors then coming in on the officer side. The pay is better and the quality of life is better. I know a few officers that are in intel and they love it.

[Anonymous]

I worked in AF intel for 6 years. I had a Top Secret clearance with several restricted accesses. Its kinda cool to get to do that sort of thing *but* the hours are horrible, you almost always have to go overseas, its difficult to switch fields, and your skills don't translate well to the civilian world. But, if you're single and flexible, it it most assuredly a great chance to do something cool and see the world. Whether its a good choice really depends on your goals.

a_webgal@yahoo.com