Joining the United States Air Force (USAF) is a major decision, which should not be taken lightly. When you join the USAF, you are dedicating the next several years of your life to serving your country and the USAF. Hence, it is important to consider all aspects of what the Air Force has to offer you and what joining the Air Force entails. Make sure that you are joining the Air Force for all the right reasons.

Before taking any step

• Discuss your possible enlistment with friends and family.

• Discuss with people who are Air Force veterans. Listen to their personal experiences, but make your own judgments.
• Understand you may be devoting four years to an assignment away from your family and friends.
• Consider whether you want to take special training when joining.
• You have good chance of getting deployed overseas, when you join the Air Force.

So, make sure that you are ready and willing for that type of responsibility and stress.

How to Join

• Visit and talk to an Air Force recruiter to see what types of jobs are currently available and what the Air Force has to offer you.
• You can find a recruiter through the Internet.
• Ask recruiter about the age and other criteria required for joining the Air Force; ask as many questions as you can.
• Establish understanding with the recruiter and take thorough notes.
• Accept any literature or pamphlets that the recruiter gives you about joining.
• Ask a recruiter to arrange the ASVAB (Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery) test
• Your ASVAB scores are computed in four different aptitude areas: (Mechanical, Administrative, General and Electronics), which is generally called as MAGE.
• You will need a certain minimum scores on one or more of these aptitude areas in order to qualify for the job of your choice.
• After passing the test, make arrangements for taking the medical examination with the recruiter.
• Read the entire contract before signing your papers to join the USAF. Once you have signed, you are ready and committed to begin your new career as a member of the United States Air Force.