Is The 6 Year Air Force Contract Even Worth It 

JodywithaWhy already on it 💪🏽💪🏽🙌🏾

Quick question. Once enlisted what’s the process of going officer? I’ve been told it’s simple and not a hard process and also they look at applications from enlisted first versus if you rotc? I already have 51 credits before I’m joining but I wanna make sure officer isn’t ruled out joining enlisted. Thank you!

So it’s not that easy of process any path you take. It’s super competitive and not many spots available. I’ve actually made two videos discussing the officer path. One as a civilian and one as an enlisted member. Both paths are challenging but the numbers show it’s easier to do it as an enlisted member. But if you were to take the ROTC route, that betters your chances as well.

@@Jodywithawhy what’s those videos called?

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yc1tCZGfyjk.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MrvihY2AzTQ.html

😂

My thoughts too

6 is the move.. I spent more time in highschool.

I appreciate you for this though

@@darknebula7 Forsure, hope this helps you - Blessings!

Can I give my future kid the gi bill after 4 years active duty?

Thank you sir for this comment. I would really like to ask more questions. Please how can I get in touch with you sir. Thank you

thank you for your insight

21 and in the same position taking my practice ASVAB on Wednesday. Wish you the best of luck bro!

I just turned 27 brother. I have my associates and getting my bachelors + masters is so damn expensive civilian side and you have to take loans. The military is the only way for most working class people and immigrants with no generational wealth. My goal is officer ASAP

Same age as you and considering it. Good luck!

@@RetroRos101 Good luck!

What do you do for work if u don't mind me asking?

I'll be 70 next month so I'm not working much anymore. When I left the Air Force in 1980 I got a job as a field service engineer working for a tech company that makes circuit board drilling machines. I worked my way up to applications engineer then technology director. Then I started my own business providing service and support for a Japanese $220,000 circuit board scanning machine (15 cameras and 24 processors).

@@GregSrThank you for your service man! Nothing but respect for the veterans 🫡

Awesome. 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽.

Definitely great info. The tuition assistance benefits are awesome. I like your perspective on it. Taking classes will not only make you a better airmen and future civilian employee, but it will also remove any idle time where trouble usually lies. Couldn’t agree more. 🙌🏽🙌🏽

@@Jodywithawhy - I enlisted in the US Navy in January 1989 for five years having completed 12 credits at the University of Missouri, and got sent to the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey, California for 47 weeks of Chinese Basic Course. Which, as it turns out, was accredited for 24 hours of college credit. Then I got sent to Osan Air Base in Korea, which at the time was a great assignment for drinking and whoring. But there also was an outstanding Education Center which offered classes year-round. In my 3-1/2 years at Osan Air Base, instead of drinking and whoring, I finished a bachelor's degree which enabled me to proceed directly to law school at age 24. Enlisting in the service was an awesome leg up for me. I really appreciate the advice you're giving young people considering a career in the Air Force, and am glad that you're training the next generation of Air Force recruiters. Any college-bound kid who reads this comment should seriously consider DLI. If you're qualified to attend, and succeed there, it's one of the most academically-challenging jobs available in the military.

When I was in 2002 - 2009 the education benefit was available to both 4 and 6 year contracts.

I know how that goes. Hopefully, you don’t make anyone upset. Maybe by showing them this, it may ease some of their worries.

@@Jodywithawhy I definitely will show them! And hopefully they can see why I want to go with the 6 years. Thank you so much

That’s so awesome. I’m glad I could help. 🙌🏽

Terell D ayeee. Thanks bro. That’s exactly what I was trying to show. Sometimes we just get caught up in the extra money, but that’s not enough for some people when thinking about them extra 2 years. So I just wanted to open peoples eyes on the benefits of a 6.

No problem at all. Glad I could help. 💪🏽

JodywithaWhy very informative glad I’m a subscriber 💪🏽🙌🏾 when I’m join this year I’m already educated about this topic 👏🏽

Thank you so much for the support. If you have any questions, don’t be shy. 💪🏽

No problem at all bro bum glad I could help. 🙌🏽

I’m glad I could help. 🙌🏽

No problem. Glad I could help

@@Jodywithawhy I signed 4yrs, but can I increase it to 6yrs after my training?? I am leaving November 22nd

You would only be able to increase before you ship to basic. They don’t allow that once you’re in. You can reenlist when you get to the end of your contract though.

Glad I could help. Thanks for the support. 🙌🏽

That’s so dope. I’m glad I could help y’all. If y’all have any other questions, just lemme know. Thanks for watching and supporting. 🙌🏽

I just tell all of my old heads to be prepared for a mentorship role. Those young airmen look to y’all for advice and guidance. Also, MTI’s and leadership kinda expect more outta y’all because you’ve lived a little. So just be prepared for a little more responsibility when coming in. Besides that, you got this. I’ve put in 39 year olds and they did great. 💪🏽💪🏽

I think this might help. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XsFP6ovRwCM.html

We have a few jobs that require a 6 year too. That additional 2 years is nothing. Don’t sweat it. 🤙🏽

Thank you so much. Glad I could help you along this journey. Ok, if you’re already an E-3, you’re probably gonna be ok with just a 4 year. Seems like that may help with your situation more than it would help a young single airmen, with no additional stripes. Either way, I think you’d be fine, but that 4 year may be better for y’all. Good luck. 💪🏽💪🏽

@@Jodywithawhy thank you 😊. Your feedback was valuable.

Omg I think this is my situation too! So happy to read your experience, I can think better, because my husband is in the army and I have my baby too.

How was the first year when you joined ?

@@Jodywithawhyif you go in as an E-3 can you make E-5 in 4 years?

Ayee. I’m glad I could help. Congratulations and good luck with everything next week. 🙌🏽🙌🏽

Let’s goooo. Good luck with everything. 🙌🏽

I leave April 6th good luck

@@FrescTV niceeee you too!

I leave April 27th good luck !

you’ve been in for three years now!! how do you like it?

Are you a SSgt yet? I feel like after I made SSgt it changed my perspective on the Air Force.

@@Jodywithawhy Nope, I've only tested once, didn't make it. To be fair though I didn't study. Missed it by 16 points with a 3 on my epr.

PDG advisor is the best way to go. It costs a little bit, but if you use it right, you’re almost guaranteed to make rank even with a 3. If you make SSgt next year, give that a go and see if that changes your perspective of the Air Force. Good luck. 🙌🏽

@@Jodywithawhy Thank you.

Aye congrats. Good luck on getting the job. 🙌🏽

@@Jodywithawhy just signed papers. Security Forces look out haha

Ayeee. Congrats again bro. I’m glad it all worked out for you.

My son is 18 and would like to do military police or something in that line he goes to meps this week any advice

So I joined the Air Force 2 years before my friend. We were both eligible at the same time to input cross training packages. Because I had two more years time in service it helped a lot for me getting picked up. I hope that makes sense. Also, in order to cross train and get orders to tech school, you’ll need a certain amount of retainability. Usually they want about 3 years retainability. When I got picked up, instead of re-enlisting I extended my contract to have the required retainability. Once I graduated tech school and officially changed jobs, I re-enlisted to get the bonus for my new career field. If there wasn’t a reenlistment bonus for my new career field, I would’ve just re-enlisted before I left to tech school. But because there was, if I had of re-enlisted before I completed tech school, I wouldn’t have gotten my bonus. So the extension made more sense.

@@Jodywithawhy thank you!

No prob. Thanks for watching. 💪🏽

So it’s a little weird. If you do 6 years, you won’t wear the rank and be paid for the rank until you graduate tech school or 20 weeks after basic training. Whichever comes first. However, they’ll date your date of rank for E-3 for when you graduate basic training. I hope that makes sense.

@@JodywithawhyWas wondering the same. I’m the same age right now and am wondering about how my ranking will work out. Thanks for this, made much more sense.

I can. Just give me some time. That’s actually a good topic. Thanks.

JodywithaWhy no, thank you 🙏🏽

I used to think that too, but after being in I definitely believe the 6 year gives you more bang for your buck. It’s definitely my opinion though, I know other people disagree. This is just how I feel. I think honestly it comes down to your needs and wants. So the 6 year may have been good for me, but the 4 year could’ve been better for others.

Do 4 so you can run out after you get stationed at a sh'thole like Eglan AFB. That place is the worst.

It’s actually one of the most common jobs available because it’s our biggest career field. You only need to score a 31 on the ASVAB for this job, have a valid drivers license, no major criminal or financial trouble, and no history of depression/anxiety/adhd. Good luck 💪🏽

@@Jodywithawhy You must also have color vision.

Did you join up? Security Forces is top 2 most available feilds right now.

If you have a bachelors you’d immediately come in as an E-3. The 6 year won’t give you any more rank or money because you’d already have the rank from your education. Since you’d come in as an E-3, you have to wear that rank for at least 28 months before you make E-4. There is something called airman below the zone, which can make you promote 6 months earlier. You can google that to learn more about how it works. Once you make E-4 and and have been in for 36 months, you can move out of the dorms. Sometimes earlier depending on how crowded your dorms are, or if you get married or something. There is no break in between tech school and basic, unless (and it doesn’t happen all the time) you’re in the guard. If you want clothes, you can have your loved ones mail them to you, or buy new clothes while in tech school. I hope this helsp

I felt the exact same way. Lol. But as time played out, I didn’t regret it. Hopefully you feel the same way in the future. Congrats and good luck. 🙌🏽

Honestly if you have your plan mapped out like you say, i would recommend you look into ROTC and see if they can help you get your degree. Then after you complete school, apply to become an officer. They’re always looking for pilots.

@@Jodywithawhy thanks, I’ll look into it!

It’s possible. It all depends on timing. I did a 6 year, so by the time I was eligible to cross train, the Air Force had a huge demand for Imagery analyst and huge bonuses. If I hadve cross trained at the 4 year mark, I wouldn’t have been able to collect a bonus. So it all depends on timing.

It will take anywhere from 22-28 months to make E-4. If you made it at 22 months, it’s because you made Senior Airmen (E-4) below the zone. That’s given to great airmen who displayed exceptional qualities as an E-3. I’m actually making a video right now about how to become an officer. I’m working with someone who successfully made the transition. It’s gonna take some time to get it done, but it’s in the works.

You wouldn’t see any change in pay with a civil service background.

You can’t come in the Air Force any more than a E-3. Even with a bachelor’s. The army does allow people to come in as an E-4 with certain education requirements. So you’d just wanna weigh benefits and see which one works better for you.

I’d say it comes down to how much time you have to wait. The officer side of the house is lengthy as far as recruiting goes. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, maybe the enlisted route would be the better option, and then commission later. But if you have time, and all the necessary requirements to have success in becoming an officer, then pursue it. Either way, you’d be good, but that officer side of the house pays substantially better. I actually made a video, where I interviewed an officer recruiter. He explains a lot that will help you with your decision. Hopefully this helps. Good luck. 💪🏽💪🏽 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MrvihY2AzTQ.html

@@Jodywithawhy ok perfect, I'll watch it now. I'm 31 years old, so I'm not trying to go in enlisted at my age. Seems pretty weird. I know people do it, but it's still strange to me

Our age cutoff is 39, so as long as you’re under 40 before you join, you should be ok.

You can try that approach and later try and commission as a physical therapist. You can also try this program. THE AIRMAN SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMISSIONING PROGRAM (ASCP) Active duty, enlisted Airmen may apply for the Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP). This program offers Airmen the opportunity to earn a commission while completing their bachelor’s degree in a variety of fields, including technical, nontechnical, nursing, pre-health and foreign language areas. Those selected temporarily separate from active duty Air Force to join ROTC and become a full-time student at a participating college. Participants receive tuition and fees scholarships for up to $15,000 per year, and a textbook allowance of $600 per year.

@@Jodywithawhy awesome! I didn't know about that second option until now, and it definitely sounds like the more logical way to go about reaching my goals!

No guarantee you’d be selected, so you gotta be rockstar while serving to have a chance. But if selected, this would be an awesome way to get your education and later serve as an officer. Good luck. 💪🏽💪🏽

This is gonna be lengthy. Lol. Air Force Reserve promotions are handled in a different manner then active duty promotions. The reserves have some time on grade/time in service requirements. However, largely reserve members are promoted by other means like unit vacancy. Except for these ranks, reserve promotion requirements from the ranks of Airman (E-2) to Staff Sergeant (E-5) don’t depend on unit vacancy. Initial ranks promoted by time in grade/time in service. To Gain Airman Basic (E-1) - Starting rank in enlisted reserves. To Gain Airman (E-2) - 6 months time in grade as Airman Basic. To Gain Airman First Class (E-3) - 6 months time in grade as Airman. To Gain Senior Airman (E-4) - 8 months TIG as Airman First Class, complete 3 skill level. To Gain Staff Sergeant (E-5) - 12 months TIG as Senior Airman, complete 5 skill level. Beyond initial ranks, the Air Force Reserve uses these means of promotion and requirements. Unit Vacancy Each Air Force Reserve base has a set number of people they can have for a given rank in a given job. When an airman in that rank leaves the base, then the rank slot becomes available for other airman to be promoted into if they meet requirements for that given rank. Sometimes it can seem impossible to gain the next rank if no one rotates through a base. Another way to make rank if you meet basic requirements, is to seek out another Air Force Reserve base where your next rank has an open slot in your Air Force job. Sometimes in order to make rank you have to move around or be willing to drive longer for weekend duty. Other Means Of Reserve Promotion The Reserves uses different forms of a promotion program know at STEP, Stripes for exceptional performer. Air Force Reserve Stripes of Exceptional Performers has two levels. STEP I is for promoting airman to the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Current Staff Sergeants are considered for this rank promotion to Tech Sergeant. STEP II is for promoting exceptional airmen one grade above their current rank. This promotion board is held once a year, and is used for reserve enlisted and officers. To be considered for the STEP II program an immediate supervisor has to nominate you and also have an endorsement from the unit commander. One requirement of STEP I and STEP II, have zero unexcused absences in the previous 12 months.

@@Jodywithawhy Thank You Sir! This really helps!

I honestly don’t. But I have dealt with the surgeon general. It’ll be the same process. Just gotta wait for the SG to look through all of your stuff. They’re basically trying to see if the reason why you were discharged had been fixed since the discharge. If they can see that, they should give you a chance. If the issue hasn’t been corrected, they’ll most like DQ you. I hope this helps. Good luck. 💪🏽💪🏽

@@Jodywithawhy ok so if I didn’t have any medical issues or behavior problems I should be good 🙏🏽 thank you

Yep. You should be good. Then get a good ASVAB and everything should be fine. Good luck.

They all range. It could be quick or long depending on how busy the investigator is and your background history.

What can you do with the money that will help you look like the best big bro?

I do believe so. I’m not 100% sure though. I think a reserve or guard recruiter will be able to explain it better.

Lol. You going hard for the guard. 😂.

@@Jodywithawhy no doubt. 4 10 hour day work schedule, agr pay on a federal employee work schedule, master in 8 years, AND NO MINOT OR CANNON, guard is the best.

I actually have an interview with the guard this Friday. Wish me luck. 🤞🏽

@@Jodywithawhy smart move man

@Cody my recommendation is to join the guard from the start.

I hear you. It’s not for everybody. I thought it wasn’t for me the first four years too, and would’ve got out if I only did four. I’m glad I did six, because it was the last two years that changed my mind. Not saying this would’ve applied to you at all. Just took me time to figure it out.

Same. Just doing my time now

It took me extra time to mature, a decent rank where you have privileges and are no longer the grunt, and enough time to see how the civilian world really is to decide to stay in. I'm not saying you need to do two enlistments to be able to decide 6, but what I am saying is the military is designed to reward you and increase your quality of life the more rank you get. In other words, it gets better and better.

@@Achievement_Unlocked_ lol ok I hope

Unfortunately no. All reservists come in with a 6 year contract. If you don’t have the right credentials for extra rank, you’ll be an E-1.

If you don’t have the necessary score for the new job you want, yes you’d have to retake the test.

They would get you bonuses when joining. Check this video out. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_Y71r5CMVGo.html

Yes you can. You wanna be boring with colors. Don’t wear anything that will draw attention. The TIs are waiting to yelll.

@@Jodywithawhy thank you so much for the quick response it is truly appreciated

Congratulations. You’re super smart. 🤓 When I recruited, you had to do 6 years for a linguist contract. I don’t know if things have changed since then, so I’d recommend you ask your recruiter. They’ll know all the small details like that. 💪🏽

@@Jodywithawhy Thank you so much!!

You do not need to do a 6 yr contract, but please keep in mind the 6 yr contract comes with a whopping $17K bonus. If you are going for the job anyways, and are interested in really utilizing job training like Jody explained, then a 6yr contract would be most beneficial to you.

He has a good chance of getting that job as long as his physical goes well. That’ll be the most important part.

Also 31 and plan on doing 6. Leave in 2 weeks

you can do that ?

@@CrackerBarrelkid555 yea, you'll get briefed after you get to your first unit.

@@mcs-21277 thank u so much for bringing this up i didn’t know this was a thing. plan on doing this now.

I honestly don’t know how their contracts work. I’ve never worked as an officer recruiter. I do believe their contracts are a bit different than enlisted though. Just not sure. An officer recruiter would be better fit to answer that.

What you read are the requirements to join. If you have 20 college hours, that’ll get you an additional stripe for E-2. 45 or more college credits will get you E-3

@@Jodywithawhy may I send you an email in regards to that sir? Just got a few questions about my transcripts.

Unfortunately you won’t qualify for this job. I have a video that shows all the jobs non us citizens can qualify for at the 2:48 mark. I hope this helps. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Rar4xlJH0JI.html

Thank you! Sorry I have another question my husband is in the DACA program, does that affect me when I’m trying to join?

I don’t think so. It could potentially delay your clearance, but it shouldn’t stop your process. The security investigator will just have more questions.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your time!

You won’t receive any extra rank or money for a 6 year if you are already going in as E-3. The only advantage of the 6 year for you at this point would be more experience, opportunities to travel and a better chance at cross training if you choose to.

Nope. It won’t do anything to accelerate your rank if you’re already coming in as an E-3

Thank you sir!