A week into 2026, I decided to move forward with the decision I was thinking about for months. I went on the Air Force Recruiting website and filled out a five-minute contact form for my local recruiter.
At the time, this decision was met by confusion and fear by those around me. Although I had been thinking about this for a long time, the conversation rarely, if ever, came up amongst family and friends.
Most people were expecting me to go directly to college, a decision which, to be honest, I expected for myself as well. But throughout the process, I realized that I wasn’t going to college for the right reasons.
I wasn’t really driven by a clear academic goal or career path. College felt more like the default, and the only option.
Over time, the military began appearing more and more in my mind. But it still remained a big commitment I didn’t feel ready for. So I spent my time completing college applications, while doing an immense amount of research about the Armed Forces on the side. That research led me to the decision I made two days ago, where I swore an oath into the Delayed Entry Program, while I wait to be assigned a position.
But you may be wondering why I eventually chose the military, and why I decided on the Air Force.
Regardless of your interests, the Air Force can give you a chance at your career for free. There are over 200 career choices in the Air Force, ranging from healthcare and medicine, maintenance, repair, science, technology, aviation, logistics, administration, cyber intelligence, special operations and law. If you can imagine a career path, the Air Force probably has it for you.
You can also pursue free college courses while serving, using the numerous education benefits offered. And speaking of financial benefits, Airmen gain access to extremely low-cost health care, including dental and life insurance, alongside tax-free grocery stores and monthly food allowances.
The Air Force is often considered to provide a superior quality of life, with better housing and facilities and a more structured workday. Most bases have extensive amenities, including libraries, dining facilities, bowling alleys, playgrounds, hiking trails, swimming pools and golf courses. If you live on base, housing for single Airmen consists of college-esque dorms, and housing allowances authorize some Airmen to live off base as they choose. If you are interested in learning more about housing, you can view that information here.
Besides all of these benefits, joining the Air Force can offer you an opportunity to strengthen yourself, both mentally and physically. You can also see the world and get a headstart on your adult life.
The process itself certainly was not easy for me. After filling out the online form, I had to contact my current recruiter about five times before I received a response, and after multiple missed calls and attempts to schedule a chat, we finally met up.
After that, I had to go and get a new ID and social security card, which took about another three weeks. Then I had to fill out a huge number of forms and go through background checks. And most recently, I went to the Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS, where I basically spent two days waiting in lines and being examined by doctors.
But ultimately, the process has been worth it. At the end of MEPS, I stood with the other recruits and swore an oath into the strongest military in history.
Ultimately, I recommend that you put your assumptions about the Armed Forces aside and do your own research. Maybe you might also become a future Airman as well.
Aim High, Nitros!
