Air Force candidate? I want to know if it's a good idea to join the Air Force at my age (25 yrs old)?

I was 24 when I enlisted last year for the reserves and had an associate's degree. I was a bit worried about being the oldest there, if not too old but it turns out the time I went into basic (which was in April) all of the high school kids that would have gone in with me were still in school, so if its a matter of feeling "too old" that may be some relief to you. I was the average age.

Having an associate's (at least for me) qualified for an instant promotion to A1C (E-3). Since I was single I made about $600.00 a paycheck while training that basically went to my savings account since I was not spending (with the exception of the advance to purchase necessities like shoes and hygiene items). For a single guy, $1200.00 a month wasn't bad, it helped me catch up quick. Now if you're married, you receive things like BAH or extra money which you should definitely look into. I think that's a difference of $500 to $1000 per check. Not to sure but its worth acquiring.

Another factor that will go into your pay will be housing allowances which varies on the cost of living in which you will be stationed. If you live in Tucson, you won't receive as much versus if you live in California.

Last but not least would be the GI Bill which you should most certainly opt for. With all of its new additions it would be unwise to pass up.

Since I'm in the reserves I can't much help you in regards to payment received while active duty but I imagine its similar to what I was getting paid at an E-3 level. Try to snag as many bonuses as you can too.

Don't much care if I get picked as the best answer, just hoping to help out a potential Airmen.

- The only thing I regretted when joining was that I didn't do it sooner when I was 18.

My husband went to Basic at the age of 27..3 days before his 28th birthday. He joined as an E-3. You will join as an E-3 due to your college credits. Your pay will be about $650 every two weeks (after taxes, life insurance, GI bIll and all the other good stuff). You will be paid as an E-3 but you won't actually get to wear your rank until Graduation. You will receive BAH based on your dependents location. You will also be eligible for Family Separation pay ($250 a month) after 30 days. You will not be paid anymore after Basic then what you make in Basic.

Good Luck. It's a little harder to join when you are older since your boss will be younger than you but it all even out in the end. My husband has been in for 5 years now and is a SSGT. He brings home $1200 every two weels (we live on base so no BAH). He made rank very quickly for the AF. He actually just re-enlisted. Promotions are generally quite slow. Be exceptional and you can make rank quicker!

well you start with earning $1200 a moth and as you rank up you will earn more. or you can always do ROTC and you will graduate an officer and get paid anywhere from $2000 to $3500 a month and it wouldnt be a bad thing if you join the Air Force.

As an E1, or possible E2 in your case: $1570/month. Plus you will get a Basic Allowance for Housing if you choose to live off base. It won't be much frankly. Depending on where you're stationed, to avoid living in the 'hood you might want to opt for on-base.

Work hard, get great EPRs, and when you finish your bachelor's try for OTS.

You can probably enlist as an E-3.

Talk to a recruiter. Your first paycheck will come in the form of a prepaid visa card for initial expenses.

Take that base pay and subtract about $300 for your initial expenses. (The uniforms aren't free.)

My guess, you should have about $2K cash upon BMT graduation.

its always a good idea to join the air force

if u join the air force join as a officer anything else is a sorry job