| As much as we would like to believe that our Air | | | | active duty. The newer GI Bill, Post 9-11, offers the |
| Force service members are enlisting with patriotic | | | | ability to transfer these benefits to qualified |
| duty in mind, the benefits the Air Force offers plays | | | | dependents, such as children and spouses. |
| a large roll. The military offers many enticements for | | | | Tuition assistance, Dantes testing and other |
| those that want to enlist in the Air Force. They want | | | | programs are available to those that are on active |
| their Airmen and women to have the best and to be | | | | duty. Most Air Force Bases have an education office. |
| the best. They consider the Air Force enlistment | | | | Here those on active duty can sign up for classes |
| benefits a bonus to serving our great country. | | | | and be counseled on their educational goals. If they |
| One of the first things that come to mind is the | | | | apply themselves through classes, testing and credit |
| benefit of a job. Not only does the Air Force offer a | | | | for the Air Force training, many can leave active duty |
| job to many young men and women, but it offers | | | | with a degree in hand. |
| the best training to learn the job skills that will be | | | | Health insurance is covered. This includes vision and |
| needed. For any job that they offer, there is a | | | | dental. Those in the AF can be seen and treated at |
| school and training available. There are jobs in many | | | | any military facility. There is no co-pay or monthly |
| fields. Many equate to civilian jobs as well. Ones that | | | | charge. For the active duty member, it is a benefit |
| deal with airplanes, jets and helicopters are expected, | | | | provided. For their dependents this is true as well in |
| but there are also many available in the medical, | | | | most circumstances. For a small monthly fee |
| engineering and support staff field. | | | | dependents can also qualify for a dental plan. |
| Another benefit is pay. The Air Force offers very | | | | For those that are looking down the road and making |
| competitive pay. Each Airman qualifies for base pay | | | | the Air Force a career, there is a 20 year retirement. |
| according to rank and time in service. Then there are | | | | After 20 years of service, an airman can retire. They |
| different pays that they may qualify. If they have a | | | | will then qualify for retirement benefits. These include |
| family and live off base they are entitled to housing | | | | health, pay and other incentives. It is one of the few |
| pay. This pay is dependent on rank and where they | | | | jobs where retirement can happen at 38 years old. |
| are stationed. If they do not eat in the dining facility | | | | The airman is then free to pursue a civilian job. They |
| they are given pay for food. There are enlistment | | | | also qualify for preference for any Department of |
| bonuses, deployment pay, and family separation pay. | | | | Defense job. |
| Some of these benefits are also not taxable, which is | | | | The Air Force enlistment benefits are many and |
| also a benefit. | | | | varied. This only touches on a few of the many. The |
| Many enlist for the education benefits that are | | | | Air men prides itself on their education and benefits |
| offered. The GI Bill is a large motivation. For those | | | | for their personnel. They offer pay, travel, health and |
| that serve and participate in the requirements for the | | | | retirement and so much more. |
| GI Bill, they will receive money for college once they | | | | This article is based on publicly-accessible information |
| are no longer on active duty. Some benefits of | | | | and has not been reviewed or approved by any |
| various GI Bills are available to those that are still on | | | | military branch. |