Air Force Talk

Though Thanksgiving is behind us for the year, it’s never to late to express appreciation for those who serve and protect us, putting their lives on the line each and every day. What better time than Christmastime—when they’re away from their families and loved ones and possibly miss them the most—is there to say a heartfelt thanks?

As a person with several family members in the service—with a father, grandfather, and other relatives who have also previously served—I know how worrisome it can be for these families to not see their sister or cousin or mother every day; how unsettling it is to listen to every news report, every death count, just wondering. Though I’ve never agreed with the decisions that put our loved ones in harm’s way over the past eight years, I still maintain a deep respect for those who are willing to do the job in times of both war and peace. Read more

Though support programs and other forms of intervention have been created to help struggling military families since 9/11, the divorce rate for families in the air force—as well as other branches of the military—continues to rise. According to the Defense Manpower Data Center, the rate overall is a full percentage point higher than it was at the time of the attacks, with 27,312 divorces total during the last fiscal year. Read more

I am considering joining the USAF and I was curious about the medical proceedings.  I passed out once and was taken to a hospital.  They did multiple tests and found nothing wrong.  They said it could have been heat stroke.. but they didnt give an answer.  Just that my health is good.  Can i still join?  What is the policy on this type of thing?

Obama’s recent promise to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” from the military has many GLBT service men and women rejoicing. What’s the point, after all, of having a National Coming Out Day yesterday if you know doing so will jeopardize your job?

There are at least 8.8 million gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the United States. Asking between 1 in 10 to 1 in 20 people to not disclose information about their loved ones and personal life—to simply live an existence of silence—has proven to be a pretty inhumane act. These soldiers  are bonding on battle grounds, caring for one another, becoming a new family.

Could you imagine not being able to call your girlfriend or boyfriend in front of a fellow soldier because it violates “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”? How about not showing pictures of your loved ones while your fellow soldiers are passing around theirs, reminiscing of home? Read more

priestNo, not the shot-up, holey people. Unfortunately, there’s plenty of those to go around. They need the kind that can help people pray, throw water that’s been blessed, hand out Bibles, that sort of thing. The kind that can help you get through the day.

While the military has a shortage of chaplains in all areas, what they’re really looking for are Roman Catholic priests. Apparently, about 25% of people serving in the Air Force are Catholic, but only 14% of Air Force chaplains are Catholic. Read more

airforceApplications for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs for the incoming class of 2013 are up nearly 10%. Almost 10,000 people have applied for the 1,350 available spots.

Actually, applications for all three major military academies are up, with Naval Academy numbers up 40%, the highest they’ve been since 1988. The Annapolis school has received 15,300 applications to fill only 1,230 open slots. West Point applications are up nearly 10% as well, with 11,106 applications sent in.

Applications are the highest they’ve been in five years at the Air Force Academy, and reported reasons why vary. Some cite an interest in simply being of service to America as their reason. Read more

I know someone in the air force who is marrying another person in the airforce just so they won't go to another base across seas. i want to know if you get married can you still be transfered witout your spouse? i feel like they are not doing things fairly. if anyone has the answer please let me know

I am a junior in HS and am thinking about joining the AF when I graduate. I want so bad to be a fighter pilot, I also wear glasses. I want nothing more than to fly. I know the AF website basically by heart, so I wanted to ask people with experience in the AF or anyone who knows anything about it, if I can qualify for flying as long as my vision is corrected to 20/20, no matter what my vision may be? I know that in order to be a pilot you have to be an officer, so if I joined would I have to go into the DEP? Read more

Your 25 Minute run during Basic...is that 25 mins throughout the entire day? or 25 mins straight?? Also... What is Warrior Week like?? Please reply!

i leave for bootcamp on dec. 3. someone told me that it's a little easier over christmas. is this true.