Is the service keeping the soldiers longer than their enlistments?
Called Stop Loss
They have been doing it for years.
BTW, I was in USAF and carried both a rifle & pistol...was listed by AFSC as a radio guy, did a lot more. So don't assume USAF means no gunplay.
There are NO 'rear areas' or "safe" places these days... a war zone is a war zone.
That said, he will likely get as much out of his time in the service as he puts into it.
Have fun.