rex2ner,

I was in the Air Force for eight years. Unless they've doubled the pay rate for E-1s in the last couple of years you probably can't afford the WRX. The montly payment, unless you have a lot to put down, will be around 450 dollars or more. Then there is the insurance, and if you're under 25 and a single male it will be several hundred dollars too. Between the two you won't have much money left to get through the month.

Just to be sure, I looked up military pay rates on the Internet. A chart from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service shows that an E-1 with less than 4 months service makes $1064.70. I'm willing to be that's before taxes, too. With more than 4 months in, your pay goes up to a whopping 1150.80/month. An E-2 makes 1290 a month, and E-3s start at $1356.

So, unless you're independently wealthy or have really good dirt on someone who is, I say join the Air Force and save your money until you're a sargeant. There is another option - get the Air Force to pay for your college education and go in as a Lt. Butter bars (new lieutenants) start off making $2,183 a month, and they never get jobs like spending an entire day walking around picking up trash.

 

He means ROTC...Reserve officer training corps i think

So the catch is you have to be accepted to a 4 year institution.
Then ROTC pays for your college education. But after you graduate you have to serve for 4, 5 years in the specified branch.

Of course, it IS called "R Officer TC" so you get to start as an officer.

Actually several of my friend's do it. It's not so worthwhile for paying college as it is getting to start w/ officer pay as well as a college education for after the service, but if you go to USC, or Stanford, or Harvard, which cost 30,000, 40,000, 32,000 respectively, ROTC is a **** **** **** good deal. (But of course not that many people going to a private or IVy-league school want to get stuck in the military for 5 years after they graduate)

 

I'm in the marines and our base pay is the same. The answer depends on weather you want a used or new WRX. New? Most likely not but ive seen weirder. Used? Sure. But hows you driving record? Plus the flyboys pick up quicker than us so you could wait a year after you got in and got out of your schools, Save aboat load of cash doin it, and get a new one with a really low payment due to a huge down payment. its your call but your pickin the right service if you want good training and college money but if you wanna get in the shizzy you know who goes in first.

 

Yep, ROTC is what I meant by letting the govt. pay for college. With a wife and child you should get extra money for living expenses too.

Verc has a good point. If you go ROTC, not only will you be getting much more money, you'll also have a 4 year degree in your pocket. That way, if you decide you don't like the Air Force then your post-service employment opportunities will be a lot better.

Now, for signing up for 6 years to get that extra stripe at the beginning - sounds good in the recruiters office, doesn't always work out later on. If you decide that you hate it once you're in < I know, it sounds incredible but people have been known to change their minds once they're immersed in the situation. > then you're stuck until your enlistment is over.

And you might want to check the fine print on that pick-your-job-when-you-enlist contract. I'm sure that they've buried a clause that says if you don't complete basic training on time, or complete technical training on time, or the planets don't align properly then you'll be reassigned to what ever job they want to give you.

Last but not least, your plan to look for a used wagon is a good one.

 

To check out airforce.com.

USAF Retired (2E1X1)...

Wagon would be a good choice.

P.S. Definitely read fine printing when someone uses the word "guaranteed" on a document that you might sign.


'02 Platinum Silver WRX Sport Wagon