I served six years in the Marine Reserve and I have transferred to the ANG. I am an E-4 and should pick up E-5 within a year. Also, within a year I will have my BS degree. From what I have experienced in the ANG I really enjoy it, I even work with several people who were in the Marines with me. I can honestly see myself going for the full twenty or even a little more. Career wise, would it be better to stick with the enlisted ranks since I am already an E-4 or should I apply for a commission?

In the Air Force system, E-4 is basically given away...it means nothing in the way you are used to a CPL rank's meaning.

Being "already an E-4" is a Marine mentality carrying over. In the Corps, a CPL is a big deal...someone with a LOT of responsibility.

It doesn't mean the same thing in the Air Force system. Not at all. (Air Force people...don't get mad here...the Marine understands what I am saying...or he will).

If you are getting your degree, and you can see a good officer track that you'd like to take, then shoot for it.

I gave up a stripe to go blue from green (SSgt Army to SSgt AF...not the same). I won't see my E-6 for about a year in the AF system. If I were young enough to go for a flying officer track (I'm an aviation kinda guy...enlisted flyer)...I wouldn't think twice about it.

E-5 in the Air Guard is no great shakes. You were in charge of a LOT more in the Corps as a CPL as you will be in the ANG as a SSgt...trust me on this. No E-5 in the Air Force is trusted to take a DET on a trip somewhere off station...and I KNOW that Devil Dog CPL's can assume that level of responsibility (seen it happen in Korea...CPL took the "kids" over from Okinawa)

Not saying the enlisted track is not a good pace to be...I will probably make MSgt before I consider retirement, and I am in a job where rank isn't really a "status" issue. I have already resigned myself to completing an enlisted career...and I am only 4+ years ahead of you in service time.

Talk this over with some of the older farts in the unit (both O's and E's)...and some of the full time guys (AGR's and technicians). They will give you a better view of what the future career tracks may be able to offer you.

I know that's pretty vague...but I hope it helps.

BTW...wait until you make SSgt in the Air Force. All the Airmen will address you as "Sir"...and it will drive you FREAKING NUTS!!! I love talking to the young Marines here at Little Rock AFB, because they call me Staff Sergeant...not "Sir".

I tell them (AF kids) if they are going to verbally promote me...they need to make up the pay difference.

Thanks for the advice! I haven't been in that long but I was shocked at the downgrade in responsibility and to be totally honest a little peeved at the fact that E-3's don't pay you much mind. The whole going from NCO to non NCO thing was a major talking point between my recruiter and I before I joined, several Marines and other service NCO's who come in seem to have the same problem. That's when he mentioned going to OCS. It's a total culture shock actually, it's nice to hear from someone who has experienced the same thing. I went from being a training NCO responsible for almost 100 Marines to be responsible for no one and being the low man and the ladder; my office is fairly small. I'll see how things go between now and then. The only Officer jobs open right now and for the near future are Intel, my recruiter said my test scores were high enough to get any job in the USAF but IDK if Intel is the career for me. I have about a year to decide, maybe some other jobs will come along.

Going the officer route is your best bet, especially if you are planing to go 20+ years. The difference in retirement pay between an E-7 and an O-4 or even O-3 it pretty large. Plus it looks better on a resume that you are an officer.

I waited to long to get my degree and I passed the age cut off. It is one of my larger regrets in life that I wasn't able to become an officer. That is no know on the enlisted corp. I am very proud to be a SNCO but being an officer was a goal that I set for myself that I was not able to reach.

I am "sort of" in the same boat as you. I am currently an E-5 ANG guy with a bachelors degree and just re-enlisted for another 6 years. I have contemplated pouncing on a few officer positions here and there in the last year, but I had a coming to terms and decided I will only go officer if the job is right for me. If I am unhappy with my job, all the retirement pay in the end isn't worth it. If I am an E-6 when I retire and get 1/3 of what I would if I was an 0-4, it wouldnt matter as much if I knew I gave up the money for more great experiences. I guess you just have to ask yourself what you like to do and will you be able to spend ~14 more years in a position that pays well but is not what your heart desires. I do want to commission in the near future, but not if I have to be in a position where I don't feel like I am contributing to the overall mission as much as I need to be. It seems to me a lot( not all) of the officer positions lately fit this mold.

Thats all really information, thanks guys. You all make very good points. Especially waiting to make sure the job is right for you. Within the next year my unit is going through some major changes, this is going to bring about a lot of new jobs for both enlisted and officer. Hopefully by then I will have a more broader range of choices. to choose from. I've decided that if the job is right then officer I will go. Being an officer was always a goal of mine as well. But I will wait until I find a job that is right for me. The job I have right now is god and I work with several good friends, so I guess there isn't a rush just yet. Thank you everyone for you help!

As someone fortunate enough to have made Chief I obviously am enamored with the enlisted side. If I had finished my degree when I was young enough to get a commission I certainly would have considered commissioning for the right job. I have mentored quite a few young airmen who have become offices, and I'm extremely proud of them and the little part I might have made in their career. I do agree with the previous comments regarding status of a Staff Sergeant in the Air side,(12 years in the Army) however your leadership whould be working constantly to ensure that all NCO's have commensurate responsibilities. All of my Staffs must serve in a mentoring capaciuty and be responsible for a junior member and hold additional duties that require them to brief programs and track items. Of course I have a large squadron and it's tougher to find challenges for the younger airmen in a small shop, but not undoable if you really what them to have opportunity for growth.

quote:

Originally posted by lstgnfghtr:
In the Air Force system, E-4 is basically given away...it means nothing in the way you are used to a CPL rank's meaning.

Being "already an E-4" is a Marine mentality carrying over. In the Corps, a CPL is a big deal...someone with a LOT of responsibility.

It doesn't mean the same thing in the Air Force system. Not at all. (Air Force people...don't get mad here...the Marine understands what I am saying...or he will).

E-4 Corporal is an NCO grade in the Army and Marines. The first NCO rank and grade in the Air Force is E-5/SSgt. Back in the day when Air Force had E-4 Sergeant, this rank and grade was an NCO Rank and grade.

I served 21 of my 23 years in the AF holding NCO rank and grade.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: johca,

My Assistant TI in Basic was a Sergeant E-4 and I sure as hell got the impression he was an NCO. After I sewed it on it didn't seem quite so impressive, but I was happy to be one anyway. Sergeant Lewis had a better ring to it than Airman Lewis.

Could anyone possibly address this question? I am currently in the USAR, MOS 42A, and recently applied for an ART position in my civilian field of public affairs. I would LOVE to be an Air Force PAO even if it's only in a reserve capacity. What do you think my chances are? I have been told several times that the AF AC wasn't accepting prior service personnel into the public affairs field. Do you think I will have better luck with the ART program? Thanks for any help/insight/advice you can provide.

(Late posting, but for the interest and benefit of all)

The first mistake you made was to say "..even if it's only in a reserve capacity". The word 'only' tells me you probably will have a difficult time being a successful PAO if you were selected. There is no 'only'. You will be the office chief, reporting directly to the wing commander. PAOs get fired for poor performance and generally have to go into the IRR because when you apply for a reserve PAO position they will CALL (not email) the wing commander asking them why you left. Colonel's, especially wing commanders are schooled not to embellish someone who was fired because it is bad leadership.

quote:

Originally posted by novangel24:
Could anyone possibly address this question? I am currently in the USAR, MOS 42A, and recently applied for an ART position in my civilian field of public affairs. I would LOVE to be an Air Force PAO even if it's only in a reserve capacity. What do you think my chances are? I have been told several times that the AF AC wasn't accepting prior service personnel into the public affairs field. Do you think I will have better luck with the ART program? Thanks for any help/insight/advice you can provide.