if you look at raw pay it's not that great to start. but look at pay equivalent bennefits, vha ( variable housing allowance) it is a variable amount that you get paid based on the local economies cost for housing that is if you don't live in the dorms. then there is cola ( cost of living allowance) again a variable amount based on the local economies cost of living. there is a food allowance or you get a pass for the chow hall. some of the things are based on your marital status, for instance if your single and just out of basic you will live in the dorms period, but once you get a few stripes you can elect to move off base and get the vha pay. As for getting paid more, ignore the fool who said the army gets paid more, his reasoning is based on specialty type pay which all branches will have, including the AF, the only difference is the army may have more job descriptions that are in a dangerous field and thus get the pay.

I spent 19 years as a dependant of the AF and would reccommend it above all others, but I would ask about what you like first. If you like to get up early to go run, do push ups, and all types of other exercises then go for the army, even if your a medic or motorpool mechanic you will have PT. but if this is not appealing then go AF, the AF figured out along time ago that if you need to get from here to a point 20miles down the road, that you can take a bus, eat on the way, and the troops will not be tired when they get there.

If you have the chance to be an officer, go for it. better pay, less grunt work, better housing on base ( most places).