@marissa90 Pros: BAH/BAS are non taxable income. Healthcare is included. Moving expenses are covered if you PCS. Tuition Assistance and/or GI/Post 911 Bill to cover further education (bachelors , masters). Guaranteed income as long as you don’t get in trouble during times of economic uncertainty. Networking opportunities with people of various cultures, ethnicities, careers, industries. VA loan to purchase a second home with 0% down during historically low interest rates. Blended Retirement System leaves with you so your years in the Air Force aren’t wasted. Consistent pay increases based on Time in Service and promotion that is relatively easy to achieve (do your job and test well). Leave is awesome and we accrue a lot compared to most civilian jobs.
Cons: Could be stationed anywhere depending on your AFSC unless you go Guard/Reserves. Pay is fairly low starting out (E-1 thru E-4) with BAH being a big portion in some locations, but then you’re likely shelling all of that out to rent or dabbling in the current home purchasing whirlwind. Dorm life is lame and you get treated like an 18 year old no matter your actual age and maturity. Additional duties blow and take you away from doing your actual job that you signed up for. Random dorm-wide drug tests or all-calls for dumb shit someone else did. Shitty work hours depending on your AFSC. Working thru the holidays on occasion.
I know you only asked for pros and cons on pay but there’s a lot more to the USAF and military in general that makes or breaks it outside of pay. I’ve been relatively blessed with good locations and opportunities so I’m content with 20 years in the USAF. Others hated life and got out after 4-6 years, sometimes for lower-paying job opportunities because they hated how the military ran their life. To each their own, but for what it’s worth you’ll make way more if you finish your Bachelors degree and commission as an officer in the USAF. That’s what I would recommend.