The first notes made by any new music student are terrible. Some students make noises that are not too far off what the instrument was intended to sound like; while others create bone-chilling reverberations from Hell. That’s where I’m at now; the beginning. I know that, more than likely, my first few words (that will almost never be read) will be terrible. However, I also know that if I never start I’ll never know where those words will take me.
When I was a band director, my favorite thing about the job was to see those students that took the courage to begin, to start something new, turn their terrible sounds into art by the end of the year. For some, it was a struggle just to learn five notes that whole year. While others would get bored with their beginner books after the first few weeks. I commended them all for their efforts, because I knew there were those that will never get to experience music they way they did simply because they were too afraid to start.
When it comes to starting something new, reality has no equal to the demons of our imagination. I still struggle with this today as an instructor pilot in the United States Air Force. That’s why I’m starting now. I don’t know how much good I can do or value I can pass onto this world before I die, but I do know it will be far less then if I don’t get started trying new things. The only thing worse than the fear of starting, is never overcoming that fear and actually starting. Thank you to all my students past, present, and future that inspire me with your courage to start.
Elias Barry 
Hello, I enjoy your videos on the Air Force and wanted ask what made you choose air force over navy? I recently graduated with my bachelor’s and am single with no kids. I am wanting to serve as a pilot but undecided between Air Force and Navy. I am currently studying for the AFOQT and the Navy ASTB.
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Thanks for the kind words. To be honest, I never really considered Navy. The reason is because everyone I talked to who had anything to say about being in the military told me to 1.) Apply as an officer and 2.) Join the Air Force. I believe most of their reasoning stemmed from the control that various branches of the military had over quality of life. The specifics I heard about the Navy were that the deployments at sea were very rough on everyone.
As an instructor, I meet students from lots of different backgrounds and have talked with those that have switched from (mostly) the Army to the Air Force. They tell me that the on downside to the Air Force is that it is much more bureaucratic, but treats its members (especially officers) more like adults. The deployments and time gone from home are night and day compared to the Army.
I haven’t met any Navy students that have switch into the Air Force so I guess there must be something to be said about that. I think that either branch you choose can be great or terrible and really comes down to your mindset throughout your career. As a single person, it will be much easier to adapt yourself to either branch without having to worry about how your family members are able to fit into a new lifestyle. There are differences to how the Navy and Air Force conduct pilot training with both having pros and cons.
I believe you can find fulfillment in whatever path you choose as long as you truly leave everything on the table when you apply. I’m not very helpful when it comes to deciding between Navy and Air Force, but I’ve heard enough to be convinced that Army would not have been a good choice for me.
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I have always wanted to serve but never really knew in what capacity. I am a first generation college student. My parents always encouraged me to go to college but had no money to pay for it. I applied for grants, scholarships, and student loans to pay for my undergrad. I started college in 2014, worked hard for my degree and finished my courses in December of 2020 for a bachelors in biomedical science. I work full time at my local hospital as an ER tech and am a part time tutor for GED to people previously imprisoned stepping back into society. In college I thought I wanted to apply for med school and become a military physician. After working in an emergency department for three years I’m unsure that is what I want to do as a career. My brother is part of why I want to serve. He was aviation ordinance in the Navy and later served in Army special operations. We are not close because he is twenty years older an only my half brother (my brother from another mother). However, I have always wanted to serve in a similar capacity because I look up to my brother in a lot of ways. Since high school I have always heard about Air Force Para rescue. Having done more research I really like the Air Force personnel recovery mission (That Others May Live). Their are only three jobs I can see myself serving in the Air Force: Flight Surgeon, Combat Rescue Officer, Rescue Pilot. All three are hard and rewarding. I know the Air Force uses the HC-130J and the HH-60W for personnel recovery. I never thought about serving as a pilot until recently when my Dad and I talked about it. I have no flight experience but I if were to serve as a pilot I would want to be an Air Force rescue pilot.
I am 26 and have been bouncing around like a pinball deciding what I want to do in the next chapter of my life.
How much flight experience did you have when you applied to Air Force OTS?
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Thanks for your content Elias! They’ve been very helpful for me considering going into the military. I am going to take the AFOQT in a couple days to join as an officer in the space force, and I was wondering if we could chat sometime over a phone call. My wife and I have a couple questions about commissioning as an officer with a family and kids. Mainly, what does a say in the life look like in terms of family time and irregular schedules that come up due to military needs, and how weekends look, and if I’ll be coming home for dinner most days, etc.
422christopher@gmail.com
If not, I understand you’re busy with all your kids haha! Thanks for all the content you provide.
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