Your First Paycheck
Generally, you'll get paid on the 15th of the first month. However if your information is entered into the Financial System later than the 7th, you should expect to get paid on the following 1st.
If you are claiming any dependents, your first paycheck will contain your base pay as well as your housing allowance. If you are not claiming any dependents, your paycheck will only contain your base pay.
The military prorates your first paycheck. For example, if you receive your first paycheck 30 days after you arrive, you will receive the full rate of the monthly basic pay in that paycheck. If, however, you receive your first paycheck two weeks after arrival, it will contain half of your monthly base pay, and half of your monthly housing allowance for those with dependents. Taxes and other deductions such as deductions for non-issue items will be taken out.
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.
The Air Force does offer bonuses for some jobs. However, the amounts vary and are based on the job and enlistment contract length. We do not list specific jobs or bonus amounts on the web due to the possibility of them changing from time to time. During your job counseling at the MEPS, you will be informed which jobs with bonuses you qualify for. Once you enlist, your contract will specify your authorized bonus amount. You are guaranteed this amount as long as you meet the requirements of the contract.
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.
The Air Force has Commissioned & Non Commissioned Officers ranks, better known as Officer and Enlisted. The following link will show the pay grades and rank insignia. Basically, the higher the number, the higher the rank.
Click here to view Enlisted ranks.
Click here to view Officer ranks.
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.
No, there are enlisted aviator career fields available. While you may not be a pilot, you can still participate in aircrew operations. The following are a few examples of those career fields:
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.
Technical Training Schools are located primarily at one of the four following bases:
The remaining are listed below, but only apply to a few career fields.
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.
Yes, but you must remain qualified to retain that reservation. Basically, once you have signed your contract at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and have sworn into the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), you have reserved that job, and the Air Force has taken action to hold that job reservation for you.
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.
Enlistment bonuses are one-time payments (lump sum) amounts that will be paid approximately 30-90 days after you successfully complete the training specified on your contract and sign in at your first permanent duty station.
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.
In most cases, learning and performing an Air Force job will qualify you for a very lucrative career after the Air Force as well. Most jobs in the Air Force have a closely related civilian career field and carry the same certification and qualification requirements.
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.
National Call to Service (NCS) is a congressional program that provides prospective applicants an opportunity for short-term enlistment. NCS enlistees will incur the same eight year Military Service Obligation (MSO) as traditional four and six year enlistees. Under the NCS program the enlistee will serve:
Incentives (payable on completion of active-duty obligation or entry into 24-month extension):
Qualifications:
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria (NO WAIVERS AUTHORIZED):
For more information on this subject, you can chat with one of our online advisers or click here to contact us and get in touch with your local recruiter.