<p>I do not know what I can currently afford to pay for undergraduate schools. I am looking at a lot of personal "reach" schools with good intentions (such as Wake Forest, Johns Hopkins, and Boston University or College, depending on which is better for me). Is it possible to seek employment in the Air Force and go to school at the same time? What are NCAA rules (I plan to tryout for D1-3 soccer in these schools)?</p>
<p>Would it be very difficult to keep up with my education if I double major in some premed and political programs? Majors I am considering are Neuro, Biochem, International Relations...etc.</p>
<p>Are you talking about civilian or military employment with the AF? Guard would be your best bet if you’re wanting to go to school while still being in.</p>
<p>What’s the difference between civilian and military employment? Also, are you talking about Coast Guard or am I missing something?</p>
<p>It was unclear if you are talking about enlisting or being contracted for a civilian position. There are 3 different types of enlistment: Active, Reserve, and Guard. The last 2 being the better alternatives if you want to go to college right now.</p>
<p>Then I’ll think about doing Guard. Thanks.</p>
<p>Iamxero,</p>
<p>I believe gfountain1 means National Guard, not Coast Guard.</p>
<p>What is the difference between National Air Guard and Air Force Reserve?</p>
<p>Guard is funded by the state, Reserve is federally funded.</p>
<p>Why don’t you talk to recruiter to get the details on school tuition?</p>
<p>OK, here’s the “skinny”…</p>
<p>Let me start by saying that joining the military is not a “job.” It’s a commitment…a lifestyle…a calling.</p>
<p>A) There are three basic forms of military service in the US.
- Active Duty: Full-time service. Some duty stations in the military lend themselves to off-duty education. Realize that in all cases, your military duties come first-studies…not so much. If an airplane is down and needed to do a mission and you’re the one qualified to repair it, your butt will be in a hangar working on it until it’s fixed…period. That being said, it’s possible to get a lot of education credits while on active duty.</p>
<p>Soccer practice will have zero precedence over anything we want you to do for the military. The idea that you can do both is a non-starter.</p>
<p>You will be stationed where we need you…period. The military is not enlisting you to serve in location “X.” You are worldwide assignable.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Guard: My brother is DC Air Guard. This is kind of like having an 8-hour day X 5-day a week job, plus supporting weekend flying.</p></li>
<li><p>Reserve: One weekend a month plus two weeks/year. Plus possibly being deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan/Horn of Africa.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>If you are a good athlete and solid academic performer then you should apply for an appointment to one of the service academies. Then you can go to school full time and play soccer…possibly around the world. At the end, you owe us 4-6 years as a commissioned officer, but that is SUPERB training/experience for your follow-on career. There is a very good chance that the military will then also send you to medical school for free (with resultant obligation to pay us back with more time in the service.</p>
<p>DO NOT LISTEN TO RECRUITER’S PROMISES. EVERYTHING WE DO IS COVERED BY AN INSTRUCTION. IF IT’S NOT IN WRITING, IT’S NOT HAPPENING.</p>
<p>Recruiters go to the same training as used car salesmen. That is not a joke. Their job is to keep you in the office/on the phone/talking until they make the sale.</p>
<p>The Navy has done very well by me for 20 years, just realize that there is no such thing as a partial commitment to serving your country. ALL-IN or stay home :)</p>
<p>HoOkele, when you mean service academies, are you referring to something like the US Air Force Academy in Colorado? Thanks for the information. That’s pretty helpful. I like the sound that they may even make Medical Education free for me.</p>
<p>If BC is a reach there is a good chance the service academies would be reaches as well. To be a good applicant for academies you need to be well rounded - good student, good athlete, involved in ECs.</p>
<p>Just be carefull. As has been stated, the military is a big committment. Don’t do it just for money. If you want to do it for reasons other than just money, it can be a great decision.</p>