Mistakes to Avoid
When Joining the Air Force
BONUS: 6 Mistakes to Avoid After You’ve ALREADY Joined!
Start your Air Force career off right.
Learn from us who’ve walked the path!
10 Mistakes to Avoid When Joining the Air Force
AND
6 Mistakes to Avoid After You’ve Already Joined
FIRST EDITION
By Josh Snow
Creator of ForeverWingman.com
© 2016 Forever Wingman
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
DISCLAIMER: The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD
endorsement. The content in this ebook don’t necessarily represent the Air Force/DoD positions, strategies, or opinions.
Hey there!
I’m Josh Snow and I am the creator of Forever Wingman. Thanks for downloading
this ebook!
If you haven’t guessed it yet, I am an Air Force Veteran and I have over 9 years of
service, both Active Duty and Reserves. When I first joined, it was by complete
chance that I ended up in a great job and that my career was so successful,
because I didn’t do an ounce of research.
You are already LIGHT YEARS ahead of me by taking initiative to read this ebook!!
If this resource was available to me when I first joined, it would have saved a lot of
heart ache while on my Air Force journey.
With that, always keep these points in mind along in YOUR journey. I hope to get
an email from you someday saying that they saved you some pain.
Take care and if you have questions along the way, reach out to me!
An Introduction
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
www.ForeverWingman.com
In this ebook, you’ll find 10 mistakes to avoid when joining the Air Force. These 10
things came from my own experiences, as well as conversations with people
thinking of, or who were in the process of enlisting. Learn from our mistakes!
These 10 mistakes will save you some major heartache in the future, but at the
very least they will minimize your learning curve while you are on the path of
enlisting in the Air Force. I’ve included an action step for each of the mistakes
listed. I encourage you take these action steps to heart, and if it is needed, take
the time to reflect on what is being presented. You don’t need to do exactly what is
being asked of you, but instead take the action step and make it your own.
These action steps are just one way that you are taking your career into your own
hands!
Also, I’ve added a BONUS at the end called “6 Mistakes to Avoid After You’ve
Already Joined.” The recruitment process is only one step, though a major one, in
your Air Force career. These 6 things will set you on the path for success. They
have come directly from my experiences while in and from many conversations
with other veterans and Air Force leaders.
Enjoy!
Overview
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
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I am an American Airman.
I am a Warrior.
I have answered my Nation’s call.
I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,
A Tradition of Honor,
And a Legacy of Valor.
I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice,
My Nation’s Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.
I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind,
I will never falter,
And I will not fail.
Airman’s Creed
Photo by Tsgt Manuel J. Martinez
This is extremely important. I’ve come in contact with more young people that talk
about how “disappointed” or “upset” their parents were when they told them about
their decision to enlist. What is even more upsetting to me is when I hear about
someone not joining because they don’t want to be separated from a boyfriend or
girlfriend.
Enlisting is a massive decision that you are making. The key word is “YOU.” The
decision to join is yours! Don’t be influenced in a direction that doesn’t seem right
to you. You are in control here.
Lastly, don’t let friends diminish the fact that you decided to join the Air Force and
not another branch. I’ve heard of people getting shamed saying they were only
joining the Air Force because they couldn’t hack the Marines. Believe me, many
Marines/Soldiers will tell you after they separate that they wish they would have
joined the Air Force instead! I’ve heard it more than once…
ACTION: Take time to consider all of your goals and write them down. By writing
them down, you are making them more concrete. Set realistic timelines then put
your head down and take one step at a time.
Not making decisions based on YOUR goals
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
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Mis
take
#1
“We have all been placed on this earth to
discover our own path, and we will never be
happy if we live someone else’s idea of life.”
James Van Praagh
Photo by SrA Stormy Archer
No matter what path you choose in life, you’ll find people who walked it before you
who loved it and some who hated it.
If you do your research, you are eventually going to find someone, usually a
veteran, who will tell you to run the other way. Listen to their story and read
between the lines. Every veteran has horror stories even if they loved it. Here’s a
fact…no matter where you go in life, bad things are going to happen to you. But
you already know that…it’s life right?!
Don’t let someone else’s bad experiences dissuade you…make your own
decisions!
ACTION: Remember, the Air Force isn’t for everyone! Spend some time to
determine if the Air Force or the military in general, is for you. Line the decision to
join up with your goals.
Not joining because of someone’s “horror stories”
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
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Mis
take
#2
“No one can give you better advice than
yourself.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Photo by SrA Joshua King
That’s right…this is a mistake. You need to know that the Air Force is the branch of
military service for you.
Every branch is different. If you want “combat action” then you should consider the
Marines or Army – not the Air Force. If the idea of living near the water or being on
a ship, then the Navy or Coast Guard is where you want to be. The Air Force, by
far, has the best quality of life, and in my biased opinion, some of the best jobs to
choose from.
ACTION: Take time to consider ALL of your options. Research each military
branch then list the pros and cons of each.
Here’s a good article with overviews of each of the service branches.
• What to Consider When Joining the Military
Not researching all of the military services as options
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
www.ForeverWingman.com
Mis
take
#3
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women
in the service of our country can never be repaid.
They have earned our undying gratitude.
America will never forget their sacrifices.”
President Harry S. Truman
Photo by A1C Kevin Tanenbaum
Just like every military branch offers different benefits, every component within the
Air Force offers benefits.
You’ll need to do research on all three components and bump the benefits against
your goals.
For example, if you’ve thought of joining but think going to college is the best
option, then you might consider the Reserve or Air National Guard to help pay for
it.
ACTION: Check out the following websites and just like you did above, list all of
the pros and cons of each.
• Active Duty Recruiting Site
• Air National Guard Recruiting Site
• Reserve Recruiting Site
Not considering Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard as options
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
www.ForeverWingman.com
Mis
take
#4
“A man who will not die for something is not fit
to live.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Photo by SSgt Lealan Buehrer
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test is the one major
way you have control over what job you get in the Air Force…so why would you
NOT study before you take it?
The higher your score, the more jobs that you are eligible for!
The minimum score to enlist in the Air Force is 36, but the recruit average is
upwards of 50. The highest of all the services.
ACTION: Check out these websites and lay out a plan for studying. Also, if you
don’t have a calendar yet, get one and schedule dedicated study time away from
distractions.
• Official ASVAB Site
• Mometrix Academy ASVAB Study Videos
Not studying for the ASVAB test
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
www.ForeverWingman.com
Mis
take
#5
“There is no elevator to success. You have to
take the stairs.”
Photo by A1C Kevin Tanenbaum
Learn this one quickly! Then when you have it down, pass it along to the next
person walking in the door at the recruiter’s office. Unfortunately too many people
just sign on the dotted line…don’t be that person. You have options…
Here’s the basics of Air Force contracts.
• You will sign 2 contracts, one for Delayed Enlistment Program and one for
your enlistment. The enlistment contract is what you need to make sure all
of your “promised” incentives are on.
• Everyone signs an 8 year contract. Whatever you don’t fulfill in your
service you will fulfill in the IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve, this means you
are a reservist but do not drill).
• 4 vs 6 year enlistments. 6 year enlistees are eligible for sewing on E-3 60
days or following tech school, whichever occurs first.
• Open vs guaranteed job. Open means that you agree to enlist without
being guaranteed a specific AFSC (job). You will be guaranteed a category
of possible jobs, but you won’t find out what it is until the end of Basic
Training. Guaranteed jobs are just that. You will receive you AFSC prior to
leaving for Basic Training.
Not researching enlistment contracts
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
www.ForeverWingman.com
Mis
take
#6
• Enlistment Incentives. These range from enlistment bonuses (usually
special tactics or hard to man AFSCs), College Loan Repayment Program
(CLRP), advanced rank, or buddy program.
ACTION: Check out these sources to get you moving. Don’t stop here though…it’s
in your best interest to keep going.
• Video on 4 vs 6 year contracts (Wild Blue Yonder has some other great
videos as well…check them out)
• Reddit thread about open contracts (the /r/AirForce page is great, but can
be a bit negative at times)
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
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“If we knew what it was we were doing, it would
not be called research, would it?”
Albert Einstein
Photo by SrA Joshua Smoot
There are over a 130 possible career choices in the Air Force. That is a lot!
Most of these jobs are going to be foreign to you which means you don’t
necessarily know if it could be a possible option. This is why you need to research
them ALL at least on the surface level.
Start the research PRIOR to you taking the ASVAB that way you have an idea of
what you need to make on it to open up job options.
ACTION: Start making a list of jobs (AFSCs) that interest you now! Write them
down and have a candid discussion with your recruiter. Some of them may not be
available if you are working on a short timeline to Basic Training.
Go the following page on the Forever Wingman website. Each AFSC has a
dedicated page with descriptions, ASVAB requirements, videos, articles, CCAF
Degree, and much more.
• Forever Wingman AFSC descriptions
Not researching all of the possible jobs in the Air Force
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
www.ForeverWingman.com
Mis
take
#7
“Choose a job you love and you will never have
to work a day in your life.”
Confucius
Photo by SrA Allyson Manners
This mistake is probably the most common. About 2 minutes after you walk into
the recruiter’s door, they’ll have you fill out a “prescreening”
form. It will end the enlistment journey of many because of things like legal issues,
they have kids, or too many/offensive tattoos.
Don’t let one night of craziness and bad decisions disqualify you from serving your
country. You’ll be treated like an adult from day one in the recruiter's office…might
as well start making the responsible decision now.
ACTION: Do some serious self reflection. Is one night of fun worth a lifetime of
regret?
Making yourself ineligible to join because of a momentary lack of judgment
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
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Mis
take
#8
“Integrity First,
Service Before Self,
Excellence in all we do.”
Air Force Core Values
Photo by TSgt Jason Robertson
In the Air Force you must be an officer to fly (exception is the new enlisted UAV
pilot program).
Generally speaking, the Air Force selects its pilots from the following officer
commissioning
programs:
1. Air Force Academy
2. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC)
3. Officer Training School (OTS)
This list is in order from the highest to lowest chance of being selected with the
most pilot slots going to the Academy and AFROTC. If the Air Force doesn’t have
as many pilot slots, then they will cut them from OTS first, then AFROTC.
ACTION: Determine if you truly want to be a pilot. If the answer is yes then start
planning how you are going to become an officer. Enlisting in the Air Force is not
recommended.
Thinking you’re going to enlist to become a pilot
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
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Mis
take
#9
“Be hopeful, but not naïve.”
Photo by SrA Victor J. Caputo
This mistake is probably the most important because it could have life and death
consequences…yours or someone else’s.
Though most of the Air Force’s jobs are support oriented, the fact remains that by
enlisting in the Air Force you are joining a fighting force whose mission is to kill
people and break things…and the Air Force is the best in the world at doing it.
If you think for a moment that you won’t be deployed to a combat zone or when
there you’ll be “behind the wire,” think again. Though chances are less in the Air
Force compared to other branches, Airman are leading convoys in combat zones,
they are pulling triggers, and sadly…they are dying.
ACTION: Think long and hard about what this means…don’t take it lightly.
Not understanding you are joining a military fighting force
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
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Mis
take
#1
0
“Let ever nation know, whether it wishes us well
or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any
burden, meet any hardship, support any friend,
oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the
success of liberty.”
President John F. Kennedy
Photo by Yasuo Osakabe
Let’s Review
10 Mistakes to Avoid While Joining the Air Force
Forever Wingman
www.ForeverWingman.com
Not making decision based on YOUR Goals
Not joining because of someone’s “horror stories”
Not researching all of the military services as options
Not considering Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard as options
Not studying for the ASVAB test
Not researching enlistment contracts
Not researching all of the possible jobs in the Air Force
Making yourself ineligible to join because of a momentary lack of
judgment
Thinking you’re going to enlist then become a pilot
Not understanding you are joining a military fighting force
Mistakes to Avoid
After You’ve Already Joined
www.ForeverWingman.com
1. Having the Wrong attitude
Attitude is everything! If you go into something thinking it is going to be
miserable, then you guessed it…it’ll be miserable. Fight to stay positive! It
is a daily battle.
2. Not protecting your reputation
Protect your reputation at all costs, and remember that the answer to most
situations is to keep quiet, or at least think long and hard before you
answer.
Also, humble yourself and realize that you are not the center of the
universe. Learn from your mistakes and do everything you can to not
repeat them. Be Teachable!
Lastly, always remember the image you project. Remember grooming, pay
attention to your uniform, and remember your customs and courtesies.
Mistake
s #1-2
6 Mistakes to Avoid After You’ve Already Joined
Forever Wingman
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“You may not be able to control every situation and its
outcome, but you can control your attitude and how you deal
with it.”
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin
it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
Warren Buffett
Photo by Michael Peterson
3. Not networking
Never burn a bridge because you don’t know if you’ll need to walk on it in
the future. Every job that I got after getting out was because I knew
someone. Some of those jobs came from people I knew directly in the Air
Force!
Your future self will thank you for spending a little time getting to know and
keeping up with people…your reputation will do the rest.
4. Losing sight of your goals and why you joined
If you joined to get your education then don’t forget that. School is tough
when you have a fulltime job, but it’s doable and others before you have
done it.
If you enlisted with the future goal of becoming an officer, then make sure
you are taking steps in that direction.
No matter your goals, always keep them in mind. The good thing about
goals is that they can change with time. If you need to reassess then do it,
but remember to be deliberate in moving forward.
Mistake
s #3-4
6 Mistakes to Avoid After You’ve Already Joined
Forever Wingman
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Photo by A1C Lane Plummer
“If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go with others.”
African Proverb
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
Japanese Proverb
5. Not taking your career into your own hands
No one cares about your career more than you do! If you are depending on
a supervisor to get you from point A to point B, then you are doing it all
wrong. YOU are in control!
Lean on your leadership and mentors, that’s what they are there for, but
take control of your own career. If you don’t know something then search
for the answer in the regulations or make a phone call to the source!
6. Not documenting your medical conditions/history
The old timers told me when I was a young Airman, but I brushed it off
thinking I was being a team player. If you have an injury/sickness, then go
to the clinic and have it looked at and documented. In your annual
physicals (PHA) be sure to mention all aches and pains, and be sure to
have it written in your medical records.
When you separate from the Air Force, then there is a possibility of
obtaining a disability rating which comes with many more benefits. You
may not feel that ache in your back is a big deal, but in 10 years, that ache
could be a much bigger problem. Document, document, document.
Mistake
s #5-6
6 Mistakes to Avoid After You’ve Already Joined
Forever Wingman
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Photo by TSgt Justin D. Pyle
“You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that
golden dream, you’ve got to get out there and make it happen
for yourself.”
Diana Ross
“Opportunities do not come with their values stamped upon
them.”
Maltbie Babcock
Let’s Review
Having the wrong attitude
Not protecting your reputation
Not networking
Losing sight of your goals and why you joined
Not documenting your medical conditions/history
6 Mistakes to Avoid After You’ve Already Joined
Forever Wingman
www.ForeverWingman.com
• Interviews with Airmen who have experience in the
career fields you want!
• Answers to questions from future Airmen just like
you!
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