r/AirForceRecruits

Hi, I’ve been in DEP for over a year and my dream is to become a firefighter.
Since last month, my recruiter lost control over who gets what job because of the new system, so I got unlucky. This month was completely like a lottery system. I had a low chance of booking a job, so I just added 5 more suggested jobs from my recruiter, and I ended up getting Weather (1W031).
But I looked into the details and I’m really not a math/science person (I read that tech school is grueling), and being a weather forecaster has nothing to do with my dream, so I’m pretty lost.
I was born and raised in Japan, so joining the military was the only way to leave Japan for me, so I was excited. But at the same time, the fact that I couldn’t get Fire Protection (due to my vision limitation) or Dirt Boy really frustrates me, even though I am extremely physically fit.
I know I shouldn’t be selfish and I just have to bite the bullet, but it just seems unfair because the people who were waiting before me were able to get the jobs they wanted.
Should I just keep this or switch to Combat Medic (68W) in the Army?

Hello, I recently filled out my medical forms with my recruiter and I checked no on the drug use question. My recruiter told me to just check no since I haven’t used it a lot. Last time I used any was 4 years ago one time, and then a handful of times in high school (5-6 years ago). I have no plans on ever using it again and honestly feel dumb for using it at all in the past. I scored very well on my PiCAT and my recruiter told me if I checked yes it could affect the jobs I could qualify for and my clearance. Is that true in 2026? Reading older posts on here makes it seem like what he said isn’t the case. Surely saying no in my situation wouldn’t be the best course of action. I don’t want to be kicked out for lying in the future, so how do I go about fixing this?

Some people say it helps and some people say it doesn’t. Does anyone have insight on how useful the dream sheet is? I already know the locations of bases I can go to but how much does it actually help to put a base on there?

Hello, I once had a bad fever 2 yrs ago and got prescribed 4 different medicines for sore throat and coughing. I called my recruiter to tell him about the medication, so I don’t have any trouble at meps (Sep 2nd and 3rd). My recruiter told me as long it’s not anything life threatening, I’m good. But I just wanted to know, should I disclose it during my medical interview for meps in case it comes up on genesis?Or will I get pushed back from meps? Will disclosing at meps cause trouble for my recruiter?

I've joined the AF reserves in late December of 2025 and I still haven't gotten a ship date yet. I'm getting very frustrated as everyone that joined after me is getting a date or have already shipped. I know it depends on the job but my job only have 21 days of tech school so it can't be the reason. Plus some with the same job got their ship date within a month of enlisting. My initial recruiter was changed after they requested my first dates and so I'm not sure if that's the problem but every time I enquire my DT&F coordinator or the new recruiter I get that my dates have been requested and there's nothing else they can do. I'm not asking to ship right away I just need to know when I will ship so I can plan my life around it. I'm not sure if I can just keep on waiting any longer and I need to do something about. Please let me know if someone is in the same situation or if there's anything I can do about it.

I'm trying to join the Air Force; however, I was told they've increased the ADHD medication-free period from 12 months to 24 months. Is there anything I can do to get a waiver, or am I forced to wait another 12 months?

Im having a rough time understanding what exactly this job entails. As well as whether or not this job is good experience and/or sets me up for a civilian career in the future.

I went to MEPS and they said I needed medical records for sickle cell trait jump cut I sent my recruiter my info with the medical records then later she texted me saying MEPS said they needed more stuff CBC and hemoglobin but anytime I try to go to a clinic to get to work done they all say I need a blood work order but neither did my recruiter or MEPS send me one what should I do?

Is it true that a bachelors degree qualifies you for E-4 when enlisting? I’m currently between enlisting with the Coast Guard and going MST or Air Force and going Emergency Management (3E9X1)

Also curious about that AFSC and the kinds of training/opportunities it offers. I know MSTs include Federal On-Scene Response Coordinator as one of their quals as well as other ICS kind of stuff which I’m hoping to learn as I’m coming from a firefighting background

I’m a single parent with one child and essentially no support system, so my situation is a little different from someone who can just leave and have family watch their kid. I’m interested in hearing from people who have actually been in the Air Force as single parents, especially if you started out without much help.

A few things I’m trying to figure out:
1). How realistic is it to join as a single parent with only one child?
2). What happens during Basic Military Training? Where does your child stay and who is responsible for them?
3).How quickly does housing allowance kick in?
4). If your child has special educational/therapy needs, how does the Air Force handle that?
5). Are there resources for parents who don’t have family nearby?

And honestly, is this a terrible idea if you don’t have a village?
I’m not looking for a recruiter-style answer. 😂 I’d really appreciate hearing the good, bad, and ugly from people who have lived it.
If you’re a single mom/dad currently serving or you joined as a single parent, I’d especially love to hear how you made it work, what you wish you knew beforehand, and whether you would do it again.
Thanks in advance!

Signed by a tired of being poor mom 😂

For those of you who booked jobs, how did you know that you booked one? Did you get notified from the AimHigh app or did your recruiter just call you? Has anyone been booked a job this month?

I wanted to share my Air Force journey so far with anyone who's feeling discouraged.

Walked into the recruiter's office August 2025

MEPS September 2025

DQ'd at MEPS

First waiver submission October 2025

November 2025- April 2026: Continuous waiver information requests and testing

May 2026 waiver approved

August 2026 #1 Job booked for Nov

I know it's hard; I would spend countless nights sitting and reading this subreddit. Sometimes it helped; other times it stressed me out more. I turned down a lot of opportunities while pursuing the Air Force, and now I don't regret any of it. You got this; it takes time. Give yourself some grace and take a deep breath. Something I wish I had done more throughout this process.

I’m waiting for a waiver for my Anxiety Disorder. I have never been on meds, never went to therapy (I tried to get a referral for a different therapist but it got delayed too many times and got busy with school), no drugs/alcohol/weeds. I already did my psy eval and now waiting for the final decision. What do y’all think my chances are in getting in?

Anybody else shipping out for BMT on November 10th?
Also, if anybody has any info/experience with Electrical & Environmental Systems I’d love to hear about it! How’s the job, tech school, day-to-day?