Navy or Airforce decision? Deployment question, any and all information is helpful!?

Question

So I am considering joining a military branch. I have narrowed my selection down to the Navy or the Airforce. I want to get my degree while on active duty, and if I enjoy my time I am planning on re-enlisting and becoming an officer. I do not want to join the marines or the army because I want to avoid combat as much as possible. I am not married, but I do have a boyfriend and we have decided that we are going to try to make it work as long as I don't get stationed very far away. This being stated, I want to spend the least amount of time deployed as possible. How long should I expect to be deployed in each branch? I, however, do want to travel. I just don't want to be gone for an entire year...All other information about the navy and airforce is appreciated, as well! Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

If you don't want to deploy, join the Air Force, however you can get stationed overseas etc., but you usually get some sort of say when picking your orders. You might be able to finish school in that amount of time, but most take a longer than 4 years to finish their degree, on the other hand, the military can help you pay for college which is a big plus.

Answer 2

If you don't want to get deployed then don't join the military do something else. In the military you can be deployed at any time for any length of time. There is not a wait to determine that until you look into what Rating (job) you want in the Navy. Some Ratings are gone more than others. The Navy you can expect to be gone for at least 75% of the year if you are on a ship. On ships you can be gone for a few days, few weeks, few months or over 6 months. If you are not on a ship then you will be either with a Squadron or on Shore Duty. Squadrons deploy with LHA/LHDs and Carriers, they are the staff with the planes and helicopters. You can be gone for a few weeks or a few months. Shore Duty is hard to get the first enlistment but does happen. It doesn't mean you will not deploy though, it means that you are based at a Shore command and most times you will be home every night. You will not have time necessarily to go to school and get a Bachelor's degree within 4 years you are looking at because of the demand of work and qualifications first. You will not get the GI Bill right away either, you will get Tuition Assistance to pay for classes and that is a maximum of $4500 per fiscal year. You can attempt CLEP which means you write the test and if you pass you get the class credit. If you fail the test you have to pay for it out of your own pocket. Some ship commands do have teachers on board for when you are underway. If you are going to be doing it online then that wont be possible while underway. There is internet service but it is strict on what you can and cant do. The military comes first and foremost, school comes second.



There is no guarantees where you will be stationed you can be placed in the US anywhere, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America or Australia. It again depends on the Rating that you choose. There is US Bases all around the world and if that is what is open when you are up for orders then that is what you take.



if you are serious about becoming an Officer then you do need a BA for it with a GPA above 3.5. It is possible to go from Enlisted to Officer but there is a maximum allowed each year and it is very tough to do. Lots of Enlisted personnel actually have Bachelors (even multiple) and Masters degrees.

Answer 3

Stay home. The military doesn't need or want you.



Think you're safe just because you're behind a desk? Air Force and the Navy deploy to combat zones. Their bases get blown up too. My buddy is an IT1 (Navy E6, pretty much a desk job), and his convoy barely made it past the gate when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate. And this was in the so-called safe zone of Afghanistan.



The Air Force has stood by the rest of the services too in these attacks. Fact is, you're not safe in the Army, Navy, Marine Corp, or the Air Force. We all go to combat zones, we all do our respective jobs, and we all get blown up. Some more than others. *looks towards the the Soldiers and Marines*



US Navy deploys quite often. It isn't unheard of to do 6 months out to sea, 6 months on shore, and maintain this cycle.



I think you have a lot of thinking to do, and a lot of growing up to do if you want to join the military. Personally, I'd recommend drinking several pints, and have a good long talk with your boyfriend, and your family. The military doesn't care about your wants and needs. It cares about the mission.

Answer 4

Yes, it's true that any branch can send you overseas on your first assignment. Your first assignment will come after you finish your schooling in whatever field you were chosen for. In the Navy, after schooling, you may go to a ship and go to sea for several months. But there will be port calls. In the Air Force, you may go overseas. It seems like everybody in the AIr Force was stationed in Korea or Germany at one time or another, much like the Army. The Air Force also deploys to war zones for 3 months or more but are not really on the front lines in most cases, like the Navy. The Marines and Army are deployed a lot as you probably have heard.

Answer 5

Sounds like you are very confused about military life . You can't pick,& choose your deployments. Your chances of getting a 4 year degree while on your first enlistment are VERY slim. The military is a very serious job to have . I put 21 years in the Navy ( Naval Aviation ). I think now, 9 months is the SHORTEST deployment they have. Remember, Recruiters will tell you ANYTHING, to get you to sign-up !

Answer 6

My sister is in the Air Force, she deploys every year for 6 months.



If your Air Force you are Army support

If your Navy you are Marine Corps support.



Both will deploy you a lot depending on your job.

Answer 7

Well i dont think the militarys right for u. u cant decide where u go or how long ur gonna b gone. but if u were gonna choose 1 id choose the airforce. they focus more on school and u dont get deployed as often.