I have been an enlisted member of the Air Force for almost 3 years in January. One thing I don't believe anyone has mentioned is when you talk to a recruiter they will give you a practice ASVAB. This will give you a good idea on where you stand and what kind of careers you qualify.
I am a meteorologist. It is not an easy tech school or jcareer but the people I work with a great. The majority of airmen do not get deployed from their first duty station, unless they go out of their way to volunteer in my career field. THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT CAN'T HAPPEN.
Trust me, I would prepare for basic but they WILL get you to their standards before the end of your 8 weeks. All tech schools varies in time and base you will have. Mine was 8 months in Biloxi, MS. If you are married you can have your spouse move down to your tech school and you can move off base or have on base housing if available after around a month of being there.
Make an educated choice, DO NOT join open general. Take the time to research every career you have an interest in, try to talk with people that are actually doing it.
Good luck.
