Is Air force just as respectable as the army?

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Mysticunleahed

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Hi - Do not be offended by title above. First, I would like to explain that I am a high school senior and when I got to college to study Aerospace engineering this fall. I also want to enroll into either Army ROTC or Air Force ROTC. I think ever since Sophomore of high school I have always wanted to be a army officer. I enjoyed the thought of going out traveling the world while having the chance to protect my country. But, ever since being accepted into college it seems my family are not exactly supportive of me going to the army instead continuously nudging me into the air force. That really makes me angry and confused. Know I am a reasonable person I understand that the air force my have a much more technical environment compared to the army and have some other benefits. While that seems exciting to me on some level. What really excites me is the Discipline of the Army. In conclusion, what I am really asking is that If I were to do Air Force ROTC would I be able to later as an officer get a equally demanding experience when compared to a Army officer both in a physically and discipline challenging way? If that make sense.

Thank you
 
Mysticunleahed said:
Hi - Do not be offended by title above. First, I would like to explain that I am a high school senior and when I got to college to study Aerospace engineering this fall. I also want to enroll into either Army ROTC or Air Force ROTC. I think ever since Sophomore of high school I have always wanted to be a army officer. I enjoyed the thought of going out traveling the world while having the chance to protect my country. But, ever since being accepted into college it seems my family are not exactly supportive of me going to the army instead continuously nudging me into the air force. That really makes me angry and confused. Know I am a reasonable person I understand that the air force my have a much more technical environment compared to the army and have some other benefits. While that seems exciting to me on some level. What really excites me is the Discipline of the Army. In conclusion, what I am really asking is that If I were to do Air Force ROTC would I be able to later as an officer get a equally demanding experience when compared to a Army officer both in a physically and discipline challenging way? If that make sense.

Thank you
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From what I have been told by officers and enlisted in both branches, they all have necessary missions. The Air Force has more focus on Aerospace and Cyber, whereas the Army has more of a focus on ground operations and helicopter missions.

In response to your physical challenge, I have heard the Army has higher minimum standards than Air Force in some ways. If your concern is what will challenge you more however minimums are not relevant, in either branch you will strive for and hopefully achieve your best level of fitness.

As an officer either way will result in a challenging career, it will largely depend on what career you choose. The Air Force will likely be better for aerospace engineering, army has excellent engineering core as well.

This would be an excellent topic to discuss with admissions officer and former service members. They will be able to inform you about the branch they are part of much better than random people online will. Hear from both viewpoints and several job positions and discuss your goals as well.
 
CGA applicant 2024 said:
This would be an excellent topic to discuss with admissions officer and former service members. They will be able to inform you about the branch they are part of much better than random people online will. Hear from both viewpoints and several job positions and discuss your goals as well.
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Are you really calling members of this forum “random people online”?

The combined years of service here numbers in uncountable thousands. I think OP is in the right place for answers.
 
I might be a little biased but I’d go Air Force. Based on what you said, besides one thing, the Air Force would be better suited for. What’s cool about the Air Force is that it’s identity still hasn’t been set in stone yet. The Army has been around centuries longer than the Air Force, because of that the Army has more traditions and more sense of identity. Don’t let that dis away you though because you might have a chance to create that identity. Especially has an officer who knows what you can do and what you will be remembered for after 3 centuries. Now you may be wondering what the “exception I was talking about was. You mentioned the urge to explore the vastness of our earth and the best branch for that would be the Navy. Then again officers are constantly re stationed much more than the enlisted.
 
Devil Doc said:
Are you really calling members of this forum “random people online”?

The combined years of service here numbers in uncountable thousands. I think OP is in the right place for answers.
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Completely agree, if those who respond are service members or are referring to information they have learned from those who have served that information is valuable. Just warning against making a big life choice from people he doesn't know much about.
 
It all depends on what you want to do in the military. You want to drive a tank, then the Air Force isnt for you. Want to fly a figher plane, the Army doesnt fly any. You cant go into which is better without discussing what you want to do. You want to lead a infantry unit, well the Air Force doesnt have any infantry units. Now if its something like Cyber then Army, Navy and AF has that. I am sure each has its pros and cons.
 
Humey said:
It all depends on what you want to do in the military. You want to drive a tank, then the Air Force isnt for you. Want to fly a figher plane, the Army doesnt fly any. You cant go into which is better without discussing what you want to do. You want to lead a infantry unit, well the Air Force doesnt have any infantry units. Now if its something like Cyber then Army, Navy and AF has that. I am sure each has its pros and cons.
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I’d beg to differ on the Air Force not having Infantry. They’ve turned Security Forces into a mesh of MP and infantry. If you’re in the 820th then you’ll definitely feel the infantry feel and missions. What’s more is that when you’re a security forces officer you’ll be leading anywhere from 20 to 70 airman.
 
Respectable absolutely, respected... as an air force wife I’d say that depends. I wouldn’t choose any other branch or my dd to serve in ( if I had a choice lol )
 
If you would live with regret by not pursuing Army ROTC, then go Army. If you discover that Air Force is a better fit for you then go AFROTC. Ultimately, it is your future you are talking about and no one else's. As a father of a college kid and having two in high school: Don't let anyone talk you out of your aspirations. It doesn't matter who it is.
 
If your sole criteria is “physically and discipline challenging way,” then I’d say Army over Air Force. But that seems to be pretty limited in choosing a career and profession. In the AirForce, combat arms are Primarily limited to pilots and missileers....everyone else is important but will never be in charge. In the Army, combat arms are more widely spread. But you will still branch in the army. So your experience is different in each service, but service is service....the army is not more important than the Air Force, just different missions with different priorities and different career tracks. I would recommend you do more research on what careers would look like in each service: as a 10 yr Air Force officer in a support function (engineering), my career was more “corporate” than I think a typical Army combat arms career I was contemplating. I was disappointed at first but very glad for that after 10 yrs when the priorities of my family came first and I left the service. Plus living in the field is taxing as you get older and I spent a good chunk of my time supporting Army units who were very grateful for the support they got out of my AF unit. Air conditioning in the desert is a blessing that is more of a norm in the AF than a field deployed Army unit.
the other thing is to think about how important it is to you to use your degree. I’m making the assumption you are looking at a tech degree as that is the predominate AFROTC selection.....if you go AF, you have a very high% chance you’ll use that degree right away. For Army, read the threads here from others....you don’t use an engineering degree a lot in an inf, armor or artillery role.
if discipline and fitness are your criteria, look at the marines.
 
Tyman said:
I’d beg to differ on the Air Force not having Infantry. They’ve turned Security Forces into a mesh of MP and infantry. If you’re in the 820th then you’ll definitely feel the infantry feel and missions. What’s more is that when you’re a security forces officer you’ll be leading anywhere from 20 to 70 airman.
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Yes, but that isnt the norm in the Air Force.
 
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