Choosing Between the Navy and Air Force

Joining the Armed Services is a life changing decision. Consequently it should

not be done on a whim. Selecting the appropriate branch often has a lot to do with family

heritage or life experience. Choosing between the Navy and Air Force was an important

decision I made over 20 years ago. The Navy was the right decision for me, and there

were many factors that helped me come to this decision.

The Navy and Air Force have many things in common, other than the blue

uniforms. Both services offer an opportunity to serve your country. Serviceman are said

to have signed an agreement to give anything, up to and including my life, for my

country. Serving the country does not involve great pay, however the navy does have sea

pay for deployed combat vessels. This amounts to a few extra hundred dollars per month,

depending on pay grade and time served. Both services require you to leave your home,

and almost everything you know. Serving in the Armed Services will provide you with a

lifetime of experiences and camaraderie that cannot be equaled.

The Navy is older than the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Navy

was founded 13 October 1775. The Air Force was broken away from the Army Air Corp

on 18 September 1947. The Air Force is the “new kid on the block” for obvious reasons,

ships, Marines, and armies pre-date airplanes and flight by several thousands of years.

The Air Force was broken away from the Army Air Corp to implement Strategic Air

Command (SAC) as part of the nuclear deterrence triad. The Navy mission has always

been to maintain and equip combat ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring

aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas.

 Many people do not realize the Navy services and operates more fixed wing

aircraft than the Air Force. Currently the Navy has 11 carriers (with 1 more under

construction) and their attached air wings, as well as shore-based aircraft. Aircraft

personnel are required to keep a heightened state of readiness at all times. There is a lot to

be said about the ability to station a combat ready airfield offshore of most of the

countries in the world. Aircraft carriers are small cities afloat. Carriers have a quarter acre

of flight deck, as well as over 5000 crewmen.

While both services require you to leave your home, your new home in the Navy

is usually very mobile. The first “cruise” I went on took me around the world. While this

seems terribly exciting, it does prove the fact that the earth is covered mostly by water,

and we spent many days “on-station” in the Gulf of Oman, maintaining the freedom of

the seas in the Persian Gulf. After forty-five days at sea (consecutive without a stop in

port) you are issued two cans of beer, which you can drink on the fantail during the

allotted time.

The Navy offers better training. Ships can only hold so many people, so these

sailors must be trained to maintain all aspects of materials and equipment readiness.

Damage control is also very important in the Navy. When you are at sea, you must fight

all of the fires and floods. There is no “911” you can dial. If this ship dies, so do you.

You can’t run away from a fire onboard a ship. If something is damaged in the Air Force,

they tend to fly in a “specialist”. This really isn’t practical in the Navy, because of the

logistics involved with serving two thirds of the entire planet. Navy training is thorough

and complete to maintain the tip of the spear for US foreign policy.
 The Navy offers faster advancement. When I was in the Navy, I was able to attain

the rank of E-5 in just two years. My brother-in-law was in the Air Force for twenty

years, and never rose above the rank of E-6. Rapid rate advancement in the Navy has to

do with the extensive training and experience. On a ship of 450 people, there were less

than 15 people that could do my job. When I took a test for rate advancement, I had done

and knew all of the requirements. The Air Force does not have this level of experience in

its ratings. The ability to bring in specialists reduces the requirement for knowledgeable

personnel.

The better training and advancement opportunities make the Navy the obvious

choice over the Air Force. The Naval traditions and heritage make it the premier Armed

Service. Seeing the world, and wearing blue “cracker-jack” uniforms that don’t resemble

a postman’s uniform are just plusses.