You and I kind of have the same story. Parents were on the poor side and my high school grades were questionable. Did very good in math and science but told the English teacher “not only no but hell no on fourth year English. My senior year, math and science were too easy – they let me take analytical geometry and Trig at the same time. But alas I found drinking more enjoyable – Don’t ask. USAF made for a very simple choice. Enjoyed my career, but it was far from average. Spent 10 years at Chanute AFB (teaching Electronics) with a year’s vacation to Nam in the middle (and even that was a great tour of duty). Had a run in with a Col trying to make General – Short story they fired his ass, and I got shipped to Langley AFB. He never made his star but I made E9. My 2nd boss at Langley was this Major, who I also had a run in with. At one point He told me what he could do to my career (had not made E9 yet), As I left I slammed the door and Said to myself, “Yea fat chance – I’m on better terms with the vice commander than you are, Also It is hard for a Major to give a bad performance report and attached is a letter of evaluation form a Commander. Moral – don’t need to be a Kiss *ss, but need to be VERY good at what you do.
The Military is not for everyone, if problems at home are authority issue - the military is worse and you have to put up with some BS. - So unless you can adapt - Don't.
The USAF has changed considerably since I retired (1983). The initial tech school for electronics has drastically decreased the level of training. My initial tech school for meteorological equipment (3 level) was almost a year long (that was 6 Hrs a day/5 days a week). To top that off to make E6 you had to go to a mandatory 7-level school which was also about a year long. Just the Electronic Fundamentals was 17 weeks long. Equipment troubleshooting was taught to the component level, ie resistor, capacitor, transistor and IC. What I was seeing was that this training was being condensed in line with what I referred to as Black box repair – being able to troubleshoot down to a “Card” and replacing the card.
If you do decide on going into the USAF, Look for the Best career field in electronics (not necessarily computers. Working on computers is easy; it is the understanding of electronic fundamentals that is more challenging. The one big advantage that you will have is practical experience – that cannot be gained from a 2/4 year study program.
As to college, don’t waste time, if you join the military start taking classes as most bases have on-base classes. Work toward that degree and/or certifications, mine was basket weaving. Only ever took 7 classes (That’s another story LOL). A degree in any field coupled with Practical work can help open the door. My Son had a BS in microbiology and was accepted straight into the Decorate program (bypassing the Masters degree). After two years he told them to shove-it – had a run in w/professor. He is the IT manager at a large firm and has His own Home business (web design and maintaining off-site storage for clients). Programming and computer skills were primarily self taught.
The hard choice will be staying past 4, or 8, years and getting out or going for a retirement check at the end of 20/30 years. At 20 year point you are generally more hirable than after 30 year point.
For what it’s worth – Neither of my boys even considered the military. Asa completed two years at a community college then transfer to a local college for his EE (lived at home). Dale spent the first two years @ home, then move to complete his next 6 years. Although we helped, it was required that they also help pay their way.
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