cjgallen

Here's my current situation:

19 years old. Got my 2-year degree this past spring, got a full time job making $20k a year. Still going to school. Still live with my parents.

I want to join the Air Force for several reasons:
1. hate my current job, no satisfaction, pay sucks
2. job security, the civilian world is a scary place
3. serving my country, honor, blah blah
4. retirement after 20 years
5. other benefits

I plan on becoming an officer and doing 20 years or more of service. Looking at the pay charts, it seems pretty damn good, but it's not entirely about the money.

I want to finish my bachelor degree (in Mathematics), got about 2-3 years left if I load up on classes. I'm going to quit my job around December, it's too much time out of the week and I can't focus on school as much as I like. I don't need the money at this point, and paying for college isn't an issue.

I need opinions on the best way of joining.

The local college has an ROTC program, how can that fit in? (I don't know how that works)
How about Texas Air National Guard til I finish my degree? I'd be earning money and accumulating time in the service , but how would that fit in with school? (I know Bush didn't go to Vietnam when he was in, but could I still get shipped out somewhere?)
Or should I just hit the books, finish my degree, then join?

But the real issue: Is a military career for me? What exactly would I be doing in the Guard, and as an officer in the Air Force? I wouldn't consider myself a "leader," but I'm a damn hard worker. Would I still be successful? My biggest fear is that I'd join, totally hate it, get out, and then be back where I started. I don't want that to happen, so I want anyone with thoughts, opinions, or personal experiences to give me some input. I want to be certain I'm making the right decision. (I guess I should talk to a recruiter, heh).