Working in the army is a job of pride and dignity. It is of the highest honor. It is a source of valuable skills and experience and results in a very valuable career. According to a survey by Pew Research Centre, ‘The U.S. military continues to be among the most trusted public organizations in America.’ Certainly, there are many Americans who want to work in the army for the great prestige that comes with serving your nation. But to choose which branch of the military you fit perfectly can be a grueling task sometimes. We’re here to help you do exactly that! Here is the article titled ‘Air Force vs Army’.
The US Army has several tracts comprising the air force and the army. Both of them have some likenesses and some disparities. For both the army and the air force, you have to pass and score well in a recruitment test called the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery(ASVAB) test and get through the basic physical training. Only then you are eligible to join the army. Now that you’ve decided what career path you want to walk on, it’s time that you also decide as to where it will lead. This article sifts the differences and similarities of job requirements, benefits, salary, etc. of the two branches of the military- the air force and the army.
If you want some assistance in deciding which role in the military is your role, read the report till the end.
Requirements
The US military has some specific requirements given such challenging and demanding jobs. For either army or air force, you must fulfill all the necessary criteria to be fully eligible for the role. To dive into the details of both the branches’ qualifications or requirements, keep reading.
Age Requirements
Army
The age of the candidates must be 17 years or above. Candidates of 17 years of age must have their parents’ approval.
Air Force
According to the stratagems of the official website of the Air Force:
- You should not be younger than 17 years or senior to 39.
- You should not be younger than 18 years or senior to 39 to enroll as an Officer.
- You should not be younger than 18 years or senior to 48 to join as a Healthcare or Ministry Professional.
Citizenship Requirements
For both branches, an applicant must be a citizen of America or a permanent resident with a green card.
Educational Requirements
Army
The American Army has a very important role to play in making America the world leader today. It has played its role well in keeping America safe and sound in the time of war, and safeguarding and preventing it from any possible dangers otherwise.
According to MilitarySpot and Chron, the basic educational qualifications for joining the army are:
- You must pass the ASVAB or the American Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test.
- You must get through a Military Entrance Processing Station medical test.
- You must not have more than two subordinates.
- You must at least have a high school diploma.
- You must have at least 8 days of college merits that are mandated by the army to attend the Officer Candidate School, where you can also reap a commission.
- If you want to serve as a commissioned officer, you’ll need to pass a college degree generally from reputed and recognized universities like Reserve Officer’ Training Corps.
Air Force
The American Air Force consists of extremely vigilant and efficient pilots who protect the country in air and space. It is one of the seven branches of the American military, which has daunting tasks to undertake and tremendous roles to play at the time of war or every day to keep their nation safe.
According to the guidelines on the air force’s official website, basic educational requirements for joining the air force are:
- You can apply with a high school diploma or GED.
- You must have achieved 18 years of age or above.
- Your score in the ASVAB must be 65 or above.
- You must achieve 15 or more hours of college merit to qualify with an eligibility parallel to a high school graduate.
- To serve as an air force officer, you must have at least a 4 years college degree or should be within 1 year of achieving your bachelor’s degree.
- If you want to be a pilot, you must acquire a college degree from military institutes like the Air Force Academy or West Point.
- A college degree is a must to avail yourself of the benefits of Officer Training provided by the Air Force.
Testing Requirements
For getting into both branches you need to pass the ASVAB or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. The higher you score, the higher will be your chances to get recruited. The required test scores for both the branches are mentioned below:
Army
According to MilitarySpot, the basic educational qualifications for joining the army are:
- You must either be in high school or have a high school diploma or GED.
- If you do not have a high school certification and just a GED, some schemes can help you out.
- You must attain a minimum permitting total on the ASVAB test. The total must be 31 or higher.
Air Force
According to the guidelines on the air force’s official website, basic testing requirements for joining the air force are:
ASVAB
- To join the AirForce as a recorded airman, you must take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test.
- High schoolers or graduates must obtain a 36 AFQT all-around score as the minimum passing total and GED owners must accomplish a 50 AFQT.
AFOQT
- To enroll in the AirForce as an officeholder, you must qualify for the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT).
- This is a multiple-choice-based test identical to an SAT.
- The syllabus includes questions to assist the spoken skills, math skills, and aviation and navigation ability of the candidates interested in flying.
- The greatest percentage is 99 and the poorest is 1.
Physical and Medical Requirements
Army
According to MilitarySpot, candidates are tested on the following:
Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
The ACFT test marks candidates on speed, agility, balance, flexibility, and coordination. The test measures the fighting ability of the soldiers through war drills.
The following are the activities to be judged upon in the ACFT test:
- 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)
- Standing Power Throw (SPT)
- Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP)
- Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
- Leg Tuck (LTK)
- 2-Mile Run (2MR)
Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT)
The test analyses the ability of soldiers to perform physically demanding activities. This test prepares the soldiers physically and mentally for initial training.
The following are the activities to be judged upon in the OPAT test:
- Standing Long Jump (SLJ)
- Seated Power Throw (PWT)
- Strength Deadlift (SDL)
- Interval Aerobic Run (IAR)
Air Force
According to Military.com, the following are the physical requirements for joining the Air Force:
Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
It is a three-event fitness test to mark the soldiers on their physical strength and cardio-respiratory fitness. You need to pass the PFT to get through the boot camp and go for Advanced Individual Training. The three events in the test include:
- 1-minute push-ups
- 1-minute sit-ups
- 1.5-mile run
How to Join
Joining the US military can be a baffling and struggling task. From the highly competitive recruitment tests to the extremely strenuous training, the recruitment process can be a lot to take if you’re not prepared for it beforehand. To help you out here’s the how-to join guide to assist you in every step of your recruitment.
Army
- Meet the educational, age, and physical requirements. You may be asked to work actively for four years and inactively for two. You may also get transferred to a new area.
- Understand the army goal.
- Make sure you have no criminal history.
- Talk to an envoy of the US army to be directed in the proper path.
- Talk with a recruiter who will help you find your right position in the army.
- Ready your dissertations. Tell the recruiters about your medical and legal past and also mention if you want to pursue a career.
- Choose your career direction.
- Take the ASVAB.
- Go through your agreement.
- Attend introductory training
- Pack your backpacks to move.
- Follow training for 10 weeks.
Air Force
- Contemplate the provisions.
- Fulfill the fundamental prerequisites.
- Amass all the essential documents.
- Reach a recruiter.
- Visit the Military Entrance Processing Station
- Take the ASVAB.
- Pass the physical exam.
- Talk to your recruiter about your career choices.
- Enroll in the United States Air Force.
Roles
The military has very crucial and essential roles to play as they are the ones who are responsible for protecting and safeguarding the country against any danger that lurks over it. Hence, you need to know your role in whatever branch you may apply to.
Army
The army provides the widest range of roles in almost every field. Here are a few of them:
- The most prevalent of the roles are out there in the fields with soldiers fighting directly with the enemies and defending the country.
- You may sometimes be asked to safeguard the borders of some other nations who have an alliance with America in a time of crisis or if the situation at their borders is troublesome.
Air Force
The main role of the Air Force is to combat aerial attacks and dangers. The air force looks over the country and keeps a watch over anything that can be a probable threat. Some of the roles of the Air Force soldiers are:
- Flying fighter jets in wars.
- Providing aerial assistance for the battalions on land.
- Rescuing people in the time of natural disaster or calamity.
- Launching satellites and rockets into space.
Salary
The salary of the military personnel increases with higher ranks. Along with the basic pay, the soldiers also get additional bonuses and allowances.
Army
According to FederalPay, the General of the Army is the highest rank with a salary of $16,442 per month and an Enlisted Soldier is the lowest with a salary of $1,733 per month.
Air Force
According to FederalPay, the General of the Air Force is the highest rank with a salary of $16,442 per month and an Enlisted Airman is the lowest with a salary of $1,733 per month.
Perks
Joining the armed forces is one of the most promising and enriching careers of all time. It fills you with a connotation of dignity, chivalry, and esteem. This is a job that pays you back not just in monetary terms but also provides you with a wholesome experience. It doesn’t pay you back just for your tenure but for your life even after you retire. Here stand some of the perks of joining the United States Military:
Army
According to indeed.com and Chron, the following are the benefits of joining the U.S. Army:
- Skills and Training
The army teaches you abilities that you can apply in the real world. It teaches you endurance, willpower, determination, and endurance that help you in every facet of your life.
- Salary
You don’t just get your salary but additional allowances. Along with the basic pay, you also get the training pay, allowances, and bonuses. The all-around salary of army personnel is higher than that of a civilian.
- Educational Windfalls
The army has additional benefits if you want to attend a school or a college without the student loan deficit. The army helps you pay the bills for getting any degree that you want.
- Leadership Opportunities
The army instills in your tremendous leadership qualities that are required in various missions for you to carry out.
- Medical Coverage
The army provides medical coverage for the families of army personnel with little or no amount to be paid by the families.
- Home Ownership
The army provides the soldiers with loans to be able to buy homes at zero down payment.
- Retirement Plans
After 20 years of active service, you are eligible to get a pension from the army that is up to 50% of your salary for life. Army personnel also get to save a portion of their salary before they retire.
Air Force
According to the guidelines mentioned on the official website of the U.S Air Force, the following are the benefits of joining the air force:
- Security
The Air Force provides its airmen with amazing insurance facilities for them and their families. They get free medical and dental care, low-cost insurance, and full pay and compensation for sick days.
- Food and Dwelling
The Air Force looks after the housing needs of all its airmen and their families. Living expenses, resources, and upkeep are covered for soldiers living on-base. A monthly tax-free housing subsidy is provided to all the soldiers living off-base.
- Leisure and Travel
The airmen get 30 days of paid vacation. They can even use the Air Force aircraft to travel and can enjoy the hotel lodging experience at any base for a lower cost.
- Amusement
Many Air Force bases have facilities for recreation and fun like golf courses, swimming pools, art and craft galleries, etc.
- Tuition
The Air Force lets you enroll in the community college of the Air Force or you can complete your college education from any college through Air Force scholarships. You can also avail of 100% tuition assistance.
- Retirement
Airmen can retire after 20 years of service. In the Air Force retirement plans, there are no payment deductions. You can also redeem a portion of your earnings every month.
Closure
The US military offers a huge range of career options for almost every field of work. You can be a doctor, an engineer, a pilot, and more. To get into any of the branches, you must start preparing early for your written and physical tests. Be it the army or air force, you need to pass the ASVAB and get in touch with a receiver to help you on your journey. The rest all depends on you. With strong determination and severe hard work, you can have the golden opportunity to serve your nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is army training?
The army training is 10 weeks long. It includes three phases-red phases you need to know, the blue phase, and the white phase. The graduation is achieved in the 10th week. This regime is then heeded by Advanced Individual Training.
How do I find a recruiter?
To find the closest recruiting site, look for particular Services that might fascinate you. The recruiters may share a location. These recruiters can be from multiple branches. You should talk to more than one of them to get a fine understanding.
