Excellent Opportunities, Lots of Mediocre Workers - Engineer US Air Force Employee Review

4.0
Jul 3, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It is a great thing to work for the collective defense of the united states. The military really invests in its people and provides some great benefits and a pretty good salary. I have also been given access to some very interesting problems and some great insight into how decisions are made at the highest levels of government. I have generally been challenged by my leadership and given a chance to make a serious difference. In general, I feel air force supervisors care about the welfare of their people and try to work the system on their subordinates behalf. Moreover, the air force has several 'quality indicators' they use to select for promotion boards (such as top 10% at school, etc) and these are fairly merit-based. You can do some amazing travel and education opportunities. Not working for a profit-based operation is excellent. Some people spend 80-90% of their time learning and personally developing. Regardless of your career-field, you will always be training and getting some great opportunities to personally develop.

Cons

The air force is a large, large organization with a large body of mediocre people. I am proud to defend my country, but I am not proud to be associated with the level of skill that the Air Force hires. As an engineer, the Air Force is also not a place where I will ever rise to the top. The Air Force is an organization built to take care of pilots, particularly fighter pilots, and more in particular fighter pilots from the academy. When it comes to promotions, deployments matter more than job performance. This is not me.

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5.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Remote Option During my time in service at this base

Cons

No much room for growth since this base is mainly a MAJCOM

4.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Teaches you a trade while paying you. Social appreciation. Purpose. If you have no idea what you want to do with your life especially as far as a career goes, run to a recruiter. Regardless of whereever you come from a military career is your stepping stone into middle class and up living and career opportunity.

Cons

Every extra dollar you attempt to make beyond your rank will require more work than you will be paid to do. The real payoff monetarily you get from competing in the military will come in to play during your post life. Confidence, courage, accountability, etc are not standard attributes in people at all.

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