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Why Should I Join the Air Force?

JoshU.S. Air Force VeteranBlog
Why Should I Join the Air Force?
Table of ContentsShow
  1. Is Air Force hard to get into?
  2. Do you need good grades to get into the Air Force?
  3. What ASVAB score do you need to get in the Air Force?
  4. What jobs do I qualify for with my ASVAB score?

The Air Force is one of the most prestigious and sought after branches of the military services.Being a member of this branch within the military can bring great pride and job satisfaction. Your role will allow you to impact many lives and make a difference to the planet.

It excels in its core functions. These include:

  • Air Superiority
  • Space Superiority
  • Global Precision Attack
  • Global Integrated ISR
  • Nuclear Deterrence Operations
  • Personnel Recovery
  • Special Operations
  • Rapid Global Mobility

The Air Force is responsible for providing air support for both the water and land services. It also assists in the recovery of troops in the field.While it primarily handles matters of national security, it also provides U.S. citizens a wide range of job opportunities.Not only is it one of the most technologically and scientifically advanced air forces in the entire world, there are also several awesome reasons why should join the Air Force.For one, they have the biggest budget per person in the entire military, even bigger than the Navy.The Air Force is also well-known for its excellent programs to provide good quality of life for its employees and their families.Officers receive the best living dormitories, family housing, recreational facilities, and on-base services and shopping.Employees will also receive full medical and dental care at military and civilian facilities at a low cost.On top of low-cost insurance, Airmen will receive full pay and allowances including time off for illness.Additionally, by enlisting in the Air Force, you will be halfway to a 2-year degree.You won’t have to worry about your retirement either. The Air Force provides a very generous retirement plan that requires no payroll deductions.Airmen will be eligible to retire after just 20 years of service! Plus, they become able to receive these benefits from day one of their retirement.So, you will be able to retire early and still enjoy the maximum benefits of retirement.

Is Air Force hard to get into?

Unfortunately, the Air Force is one of the hardest military services to get into. It is highly competitive and chances of acceptance are quite low.This is likely due to the high volume of volunteers they take on. So, there are much more volunteers than available slots. Because of this, they are able to be much more selective in the interview process and in selecting applicants than other military branches because they are not as stretched for members.Additionally, what makes the Air Force so hard to get in to, especially in recent years, is because of how technology is advancing to the point where there require a smaller taskforce of people to maintain and operate their weapon systems. This has lead to a decrease in their numbers, making the application process even more selective.The Air Force academy has an acceptance rate of 11%. It’s actually ranked #1 in Colorado for the lowest acceptance rate. In 2020, out of the 10,354 applicants, only 1,147 were accepted into the school.

Do you need good grades to get into the Air Force?

As the acceptance rate is so low, academically, the Air Force has very high standards for applicant test scores.With an acceptance rate as low as 11%, applicants would be expected to be scoring in the top 16%.The average grade achieved by the high school students they generally accept is A-. In fact, most of the high school applicants graduate in the top quarter of their classes. The statistics show that last year, of the applicants that were offered a spot, 99% decided to enrol. So, the Air Force is one of the most desired military services.It ranks #1 in Colorado for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 1,147 out of 10,354 applicants were admitted making USAFA a very highly competitive school to get into with a low chance of acceptance for typical applicants.

What ASVAB score do you need to get in the Air Force?

The Air Force has one of the highest ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test score requirements for entry out of the entire military services.To join as an enlisted Airman, you need a minimum ASVAB score of 36 if you are a senior in high school, or have a high school diploma. If you are a GED (General Education Development) holder, you will need a minimum score of 50.On top of your overall score, you will be scored in four ASVAB sub-sections. These are electronic, administrative, general and mechanical.Candidates are also required to achieve a minimum score of 36 in the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) along with a High School diploma and 50 with a GED.Generally though, due to the competitive nature of the application process, an AFQT score of 45 and above is more desirable and would qualify you for most jobs within the Air Force.That being said, depending on what job you want, some are more competitive than others, so you’ll want to get the highest score possible.Fortunately, if you are unhappy with your ASVAB score you can retake the test as many times as you like, so long as you wait for a minimum of 1 month for the first two retakes. After that, you must wait six months for every other retake. Your score will only stay valid for two years after your last test date.

What jobs do I qualify for with my ASVAB score?

The jobs you are qualified for within the Air Force will depend on what ASVAB score you achieve. For example, to become an Airman in the Air Force, you must achieve an ASVAB score of 36. To be a Human Intelligence Specialist, you will need as ASVAB score of G49. To work in Engineering you will need a score of G49. Working in Nuclear Weapons will require you to receive an ASVAB score of M60.Check out this link for more information.

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