Is joining the Air Force or Coast Guard better for families

[RangerDuke08]

Originally Posted by Greenlabs

I stand corrected as the age cut off for Air Force is 28 even with a four year degree.
Officer is the only way up to 34 and have to be American citzen.

I am interested in finding out the answer as well. I was in the Coast Guard Reserves when I was a college kid. Though I grew up in an Air Force family out in Colorado (Air Force Territory). One of my best friends is actually 33 with a Masters in communications, she is in the same situation as your friend. She has a hard time finding a job, is bussing tables and has talked to an Air Force recruiters who is not really interested in taking her on their priority list due to her age. I told her I cannot imagine myself going back to the military at this age unless it was direct commission officer, I believe there is no DCO for the Air Force, except for JAG, Chaplains and Doctors. She is waiting for a position as a Public Affairs Officer in the Air Force and if not she has decided to join the Army next month, she turns 34 sometime next year. So what happened with your friend?

[NYChiefsgal]

I am a former Coastie. I also work with several Air Force retired personnel. I loved my time in the Coast Guard as did my brother who joined after me. I served on several bases and also on a high endurance cutter. The hardest part for me was the separation time from my family, but it was not as bad as the horror stories everyone always talks about. Most of the housing areas we stayed at from New Jersey to Seattle were pretty nice, and there is huge room for promotions in this service if you are willing to study and work for it. There are definitely fewer women than men, but as for this woman, I loved it. My husband was also a Coastie and he also loved it! We now have 2 daughters who are interested in potentially joining and we have told them that if they really want to go then go Coast Guard or Air Force in that order, and better to go in as an officer than enlisted. Just one final note.... I also have Air Force personnel in my family as well, and I did not come from a military family background.