The Air Force is one of the most prestigious and sought after branches of the military services.
Being a member of the Air Force can bring a massive amount of pride and job satisfaction. Your service will allow you to impact many lives and make a difference that less than 10% of the US population would understand. That's right...less than 10% of the US population can call themselves veterans.
The Air Force is responsible for providing air superiority. While the Air Force 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, the Air Force has 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.
Air Force members receive the best dormitories, family housing, recreational facilities, on-base services, and shopping.
Airmen 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 through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
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 due to the high volume of volunteers the Air Force has. So, there are many more volunteers than available slots (think supply and demand). Because of this, the Air Force is 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.
Do you need good grades to get into the Air Force?
You do not need good grades to enlist in the Air Force, but you will need a High School degree or a GED. But, having good grades will help you be more successful on the Armed Force Vocational Battery Test (ASVAB).
If you score higher on the ASVAB, then you will have more jobs available to you.
For the Air Force Academy though, 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 enroll. 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 all 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.
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 all the Air Force jobs here which lists all the ASVAB scores required for each AFSC.
Also check out the AFSC list building tool where you can filter based on ASVAB scores and other criteria.