You can bet that a poor economy will drive many people into the military out of necessity. I got out of the military and into private practice just in time for the "Jimmy Carter Years"--and for those of you too young to remember, it was a depressed ecomomy, interest rates of 21% or better and high unemployment--and oh yes, complete disregard for the military. Sounds like the next four years with Obama--but back to the topic. You could only get into the AF at that time if you were in the top 10% of your class. So, if you think that the upcoming recession/depression will be a bad one, and from what you hear it will be--you might want to get those applications in early--and I'm not kidding. Been there, done that, as they say.