Does rank matter when joining the Air Force?

Does it matter what rank you are when you join the Air Force? In this video I explain how to know what rank you'll be when you join the Air Force but also I explain some key differences between joining as an E1, E2, and E3. In the Air Force you can only join as an E-1, E-2, or E-3. This video will answer what rank will I be when I join the Air force, but also why your joining rank doesn't matter in the long run when it comes to signing a 4 year contract or 6 year contract in the Air Force.

Airman Vision is run by Kyle Gott. Kyle is an Air Force Veteran who served 6 years and honorably separated as an E-5 Staff Sergeant. He started making videos on this channel to document his journey joining the United States Air Force back in 2013 and continues to help set future Airmen up for success.

The videos on this channel represent the individual opinions of those speaking and do not reflect thoughts of the Air Force, DOD, or US Government.

[kevinarroyo]

I joined as an E-1 and signed a 4 year contract. Despite knowing I would be going up the airman ranks the slow way I just wanted more flexibility with my career. I’ve been in almost 3 years now and I found an opportunity(civilian side) to get into another field of work I prefer while utilizing my G.I. bill.

[davidoge]

Hi Kyle! Love the channel! It’s an outstanding resource. I wish it was around when I enlisted.
I signed a 4yr contract and had 4yrs of JROTC so I went in as E3.
However, no matter which you choose, remember to invest as much money as you can during the entire enlistment to build a healthy nest egg for your separation.

[MrZacSkellington]

I wish this was around when I joined in 2017. I'm a Staff now, and I really wish I had all the information at the time to actually make a better decision. Not sure I would have changed my mind, but i'm glad someone is helping clear the air for what recruiters may omit/not convey well.

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I’m leaving for BMT in June and I choose a 4 year because I’ve seen all of your videos and with my 4year JROTC experience I’m going in as an e3 so with my goals of becoming an officer possibly through the academy, the 4 years will be a better option for me. Also since I have the stage I love your videos and can you do a video of getting collage credits while in active duty. Thank you and congratulations McKenna on getting your dream job. I did too.

[thatniqqakevin]

yooo that meme when u clowned the ppl for singing 6 years 😂😂😂😂

[skylineleathercompany]

I spoke to the Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve this past Dec. Both offered me the rank of E4 right out the gate, because I have a bachelors degree. I chose the Air Force Reserve because the Army would require an age waiver. The only option was a six year contract. I will graduate BMT as an E3 and its my command’s discretion to move me to E4 when all my training is done. This is what I’ve been told. I’ll be going through BMT at 39 and then attending the Air Force’s fire academy. 🚒

[DruZii]

High quality video that should have a lot more views. Thank you for the information.

[chrisandrews]

0:31 I had none of these but still was able to enlist as an e3. It was part of a bonus offered for select afsc’s. This may have not existed at the time of this video though I am not sure.

[xlilz]

Hi, going in as an E-3 & just signed a 4yr contract as a linguist! There is currently an $18, 000 bonus if we do decide to go for 6yrs. Although my recruiter also encouraged that if we don’t want to commit now, the re-enlistment bonus would be “much higher” than the 6yr bonus. (Don’t know how true ofc but he sounds positive lol!)

[rupvictoria]

i joined the Air Force as an E-2 Airman thanks to two years of Air Force JROTC in high school 👍🏽🤙🏽

[wolfgang]

I want to make a small correction, they actually recently changed this. There are no longer any jobs that REQUIRE a 6 year contract, HOWEVER, if you're signing on as a linguist, like me, you have to do 6 to receive the enlistment bonus. But 4 years is still an option if that's what you really want to do, even though you'll spend about half your enlistment in training lol

[Bouncy-ball]

I remember watching these videos before I came in. I signed for 4 years and already re-enlisted. I put on staff in April and hit 5 years in May. Signing for 4 years puts you at the back of the line when getting out of the dorms, or anything with date of rank. That being said, I got my BOP and PCS’d earlier, and overall wouldn’t change it.

[ethanong]

I enlisted with the Air Guard and I did the 6 year. The reason being is that in doing this, I qualified for the Montgomery GI Bill. Which is the other side contrary to the post 9/11 Gi Bill. It’s definitely not as much compared to the post 9/11, but it gives a nice lump sum of money for me per month (rough $700-800 with the Montgomery and GI Bill kicker)

[MannyVegaNieves]

This is very strong and important information. You're setting so many people up for success

[Comtedefolie]

You can sign a 4 year contract for linguist

[yazmeenmoreno]

I'm joining as an E-3 with a 4-year airborne linguist contract. I believe a 6-year contract requirement no longer exists for any AFSCs.

[dakkarduelist]

I ship to BMT in April and I signed a 6 year contract because my MOS is Cryptologic Language Analyst. If I had gotten a different job I think I would have gone for 4 years just to have more options available a little bit earlier. Your videos have been really helpful and insightful, keep up the great work!

[sparescratch]

im in af reserve doing my first 6 yr contract it really does feel like my time goes by slow since its once a month/2wks a year, but I like my job in af reserve that blends in with my civilian job. In this day in age military should make a 5 year contract eh but it is what it is.

[peytonheadley]

Love your vids, I signed a 6 year myself and I’m stationed at Minot as security forces, and while you are absolutely correct in terms of money and rank signing on as an E-1, 2, 3 one thing I would add that may change things up or it may not is the time you have as a “first term airman” there are some rather okay incentives with being a first term airman that 6 year enlistees have more time to take advantage of. Love your vids brother! They saved my life for basic training almost 2 years ago no doubt!

[richardwolfenbarger]

I just signed my contract. I have a year left of my bachelors and I am starting as an E-4 and soon as I finish this semester and give my transcripts over I might be going to Airman Leadership School after tech school based off of my college credits to be an E-5. This is also with 2 years of regular ROTC and almost 100 college credits.

Air Force ROTC does not take everyone so I am going to the reserves until I can commission.