Your husband’s experience is not too far off from my son’s. He enlisted out of high school. His fourth year, he was accepted to the USAF Academy prep school. The following year he was a cadet. Graduated in 2006. Was at Luke AFB before his pilot slot came open. Graduated from Columbus AFB last August. Hoped for fighters, but is now training to be a B52 pilot—and is now very happy with it. He’ll be 29 next month and will have 11 years in the USAF this August. Academy time doesn’t actually count toward retirement age, but I think it does count in total years of service. His 4 years of enlistment added about $500 to his starting pay as a 2nd Lt. I am so proud of him—so’s my whole family, especially my dad who was an enlisted man after between WWII and Korea. I’m proud of your husband! If you guys have been to Luke, you may have met him and his wife, Anne. They were there from September 2006 to June 2007.
Ahhh.... Luke AFB ... gets nice and warm there in the summer! While my DH has been there, he hasn’t been stationed there. (We’re in California....where it can ALSO get pretty hot in the summertime!) Your son will be in my prayers!