Pros
If you have no direction in life ,want to get some perspectiveand want a steady paycheck, a few years in the United States Air Force may do you some good. A few short years the Air Force will give the member a solid platform to leap into the work force. Wether you do a graceful "swan dive" or a humungous "Belly Flop" is up to you. Everybody who starts off in the Air Force has equal standing in their chosen career field and wether you excel or fail is up to you. The Air force offers great education benefits such as the standard GI Bill (around $34000) ,75% tuition assistance if you goto school while serving, The Air Force even has a competative Physicians Assistant program for those who don't want to be a Doctor but want to do more than a Nurse. While the pay is comparativly low compared to the private sector the Air Force makes up for it with Benefits and Allowances, one benefit is Medical care. The Air Force has decent medical and dental coverage which is good for a starting family. Housing is provided either on the military facility (on base) or you are given a housing allowance for residence off-base. Housing Allowances are based on rank and family size. If stationed overseas Air Force members with children have access to some of the best education facilities provided by the Department of Defense Education Activity (Good schools with good teachers) as well as a Cost of living allowance to help offset overseas prices. Foods and sundries are offered at the base Commissary and Exchange. Shopping for items from the base stores wields a significant savings to the purchaser There are many more perks that would take up more space than is available on this page. Promotability beyond the rank of E-4 is based on a standardized multiple choice test and yearly performance ratings. So if you stay sharp you will excel above others. The modern Air Force isn't a bunch of people in green running around being yelled at by somebody else in green. Work schedules vary depending on your job but for most it is a 9-5 1 hour lunch type of work environment full of professional caring people. An enlistment can be a 4 year to 20+ year journey, never forget that it will end sooner or later so hone your civilian job skills everyday and don't lose sight of why you joined in the first place. I have seen people totally immerse themselves in their work for 20 years only to see that they never devoleped any job skills for the civilian sector. Don't fall into that trap alway remember that someday you will have to set your Uniform aside for a suit and tie.
Cons
Depending on the career field you pick (and you can pick your career field , don't let anyone tell you otherwise) you could be deployed to dangerous localities and work some extreme hours or you can work in a nice air conditioned office from 9-5 equaly horrifying to some people. Extended time away from family and friends will happen (This is good and bad depending on your situation) People will tell you what to do alot and the "hurry up and wait" concept is still in full swing, but one should be a good follower to be a good leader. You will always run into the bad supervisor or leader but they will usually transfer out or you will within a few years