How do I know if I am meant to be here or not?

[AROTC-dad]

But isn't it really more than 2 years? If he continues next year, it isn't two more years it is 2 years of school + 5 years of Active + 2 years of inactive reserve.

Yes it is more than 2 years. The two years was referencing the time at USAFA only, before she begins her career as an 2nd Lieutenant.

 

[Konkolm]

I have known plenty of people during basic training who felt the military was not for them. They hated basic training and tech school more than anything. They stuck it out and once they got to operational they loved it. I would say finish out your 2 years at USAFA and do the four years in the Air Force. If you think about it, 6 years out of your 80ish years of life is nothing. You might even be a great officer and impact and mentor those you are appointed over. Don't judge a training environment to how operational Air Force is. If you still have the same opinion in 6 years then go ahead and separate but you might find yourself staying the 20 years and retiring from the Air Force because you enjoy it.

Yes!! I was one of these folks, girl through basic training / tech school. Trust me.... BIG AIR FORCE IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM A TRAINING ENVIRONMENT. PM with any Qs; would love to share my story and offer any advice I can! It very well may not be for you ... but you may be surprised how when you're operational, it's a completely different ballgame.

 

[4BravoX1]

Yes!! I was one of these folks, girl through basic training / tech school. Trust me.... BIG AIR FORCE IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM A TRAINING ENVIRONMENT. PM with any Qs; would love to share my story and offer any advice I can! It very well may not be for you ... but you may be surprised how when you're operational, it's a completely different ballgame.

I second that. I enlisted for what many consider to be the wrong reasons, and would be happy to offer my story and advice as well.

 

[claynjen1]

This is exactly the post I needed today as last night DS told us he doesn't want to go to USAFA. I think we were all surprised when he got the appointment (not that we didn't think he should, but so often kids don't anyway), and it's taken a lot of soul-searching for him to come to this decision. We even went out for a visit last week and I think that's what ultimately helped him decide to decline. His plan B is to go to Norwich and do AFROTC, so it's a little confusing for DH and I to understand his motivation. If he still wants that military lifestyle we don't understand why he's declining. We just need to support him at this point. My only worry is that he will regret this decision at some point in the future, but I would rather he do that then accept the appointment and be questioning it later, maybe even deciding to leave. It sounds to me like you have been trying to let your parents know your feelings for awhile now. They may not understand right away, but if your happiness is what's at stake I'm sure they will come around. Also, as far as finances go, after 2 years at USAFA you are considered financially independent, so that may help with financial aid at another school. Definitely look into that & good luck with your future plans!

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I do not feel like I want to be in the military though and have no idea what I would even like to do after graduation...

Someone on this forum made the statement recently that you should always move toward something, not away from something. If not the military, what is it that you want to do ? Figure out what you want to do, then go toward it.

I dont care much about from where you graduate, but if you commission, at least give a darn. You say you don’t know if you want to be in the military. The issue is much larger. Rest assured, officers who “don’t want to be there” are identified immediately and you will wish you were at ABC Corporation or wherever.

This is important. As an officer, you owe it to your troops to give 100%, to them and to your mission, whatever it is. You don't have to be a lifer, but no one should ever doubt your commitment to the service. One of my proudest moments in the Navy was getting a #1 ranked Fitrep after I had submitted my papers to leave the Navy. All of the Department Heads had gotten together to rank the LT's, and it wasn't until after ranking us, the Chief of Staff told them I was leaving -- they stuck with the ranking even though it would have helped others careers.

If you can stick out two more years at USAFA, and commit to giving 100% as an Air Force officer, I would encourage you to give it a try. I have never been to USAFA, but envision it is similar to the Naval Academy, and you should recognize that neither USAFA, USNA, or USMA are really representative of actually serving as an Officer in your selected service. They are good preparation, but the "Fleet" is a different world. I will never say that it doesn't come with its own trial and tribulations, but it is different...and you might actually like it and thrive.

 

[StPaulDad]

Yes!! I was one of these folks, girl through basic training / tech school. Trust me.... BIG AIR FORCE IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM A TRAINING ENVIRONMENT. PM with any Qs; would love to share my story and offer any advice I can! It very well may not be for you ... but you may be surprised how when you're operational, it's a completely different ballgame.

I second that. I enlisted for what many consider to be the wrong reasons, and would be happy to offer my story and advice as well.

Even if you DM the original poster, can you two maybe summarize some of your thoughts for people coming to this thread in the future? There's likely a lot value in your lessons learned that could help another person as well.

 

[Newinwin]

Thank you so much everyone, a lot of this has really good questions and content to think about.... I do feel like right now I have stayed for other people and because I did not know what else I would do, also for financial reasons.

I've not served, and that partially DQ's me. But I have counseled several thousand people for over 35 years, so maybe it lets me in the game. From all the officers I've known, seems to me that military life is something you do specifically because you have decided it is what you want to do. It does not seem to me a fall back. It is not generally the work people do because they're not sure what they want. It is a great first choice field; I suspect it is a lousy second choice and a lousy placed to be for, "I'm not sure what else I would do and my parents really want me to stick it out." This is a time to ask, "To the extent I know right now, what do I think I would I like to do for the next 5-10 years?" Then choose that.

 

[in_co_24]

So I am almost finished with my second year at the academy, right before commitment. I have considered leaving multiple times in the past but my parents told me to stick it out, especially during freshman year. I am doing fine, but as commitment gets closer I keep having second thoughts on whether I would like to commit or not. Obviously everyone who does not go here tells me how awesome it is that I am here and what not, but I feel like I am only staying because of how "great" it is that I go here and a few of the benefits. I do not feel like I want to be in the military though and have no idea what I would even like to do after graduation...
I guess I am just wondering what types of questions should I ask myself to help determine if I should stay or not? I know this place is a great opportunity, but is it worth it if I am not happy/do not even want to be in the military?

Hey I'm currently a sophomore too, and the thought of commitment also scares me. I dread looking at the number until then every time I open the RO. I like the idea of flying heavies once I'm out of here, but I don't know know if I will want to stay in the AF as long as that entails. Obviously I don't know what it's like to be in the real AF, but the thought of actually commissioning makes me feel like I won't like the atmosphere. I am not a fan of school right now and my grades show that. I am on Ac Pro because of Chem 200 I also have a fear that my grades will not get better and I will get kicked out after commitment and have to pay the government back or enlist. I declared Management because I was unsure if I wanted to stay in the military and thought that would give me a better chance at getting a civilian job as opposed to a MSS major. I live each week looking forward to the weekend and love hanging out with my friends as much as possible (prob a factor in why my grades suck). Is this how you feel too? It just sometimes feels like I don't know what I'm doing here and don't know what I'm going to want to do when the time comes to commit. Just my thoughts :/

 

[bopper]

Another thought:
"I do not feel like I want to be in the military though and have no idea what I would even like to do after graduation...

Is it that you don't want to do much of anything? Is depression something to consider?

 

[greentrees]

this summer is Operation Air Force right? Where you go to a base and kind of see what the "real Air Force" is like. Perhaps that experience combined with asking lots of questions of the junior officers taking you around will help you with your decision. There are a number of Air Force jobs that are "desk jobs" which are vital to the Air Force - perhaps one of those is for you.

 

[Defender32]

Late to the party but along with the other prior enlisted folks, I have that perspective. I loved basic for the most part, looking back it was easy if you followed directions and worked for it. Tech school on the other hand was the hardest 13 weeks of my life. I am security forces but felt as if I didn't belong. I questioned quitting a lot, physically I wanted to give up. The operational Air Force is so much different and I'm glad I stuck it out.

I will be there next year so we can always get together and talk about it one on one, but ultimately the decision is yours and you may want to consider any type of regret you will have if you quit now. In basic, we would always say "it gets better" to those under us. In reality, it does but it may be hard to see where you are at now.

In the end, do what is right for you. The Air Force can find new officers and new enlisted people. Unfortunately, suicide is rampant in the Air Force, some of this is due to those who think there is no other option. If you truly don't want to be here, then make a plan and get out.

Best of luck on your decision.

 

[Christcorp]

How do you know if it's for you or not?

1. You go in realizing that it's "THE MILITARY". You're not "Going off to College". (Although, many parents want to believe that).
2. You set yourself up as a minimum to get through basic training; and at least 2 semesters.
3. You wake up one day....... realize you've spent 20+ years in the air force........ are retired from active duty...... and think: "Damn, I miss it".

Then you'll know.

 

[Tex232]

One of my proudest moments in the Navy was getting a #1 ranked Fitrep after I had submitted my papers to leave the Navy.

I think you very fortunate to have leadership that ranked objectively. More often than not I’ve seen officers who make their plans to separate known too soon get pushed to the bottom of the barrel. Hence why I keep my cards close to my chest until the last minute.