A+ is good to get you going.
Then maybe start working on the microsoft exams.
Once you pass one of them you are an "mcp"..microsoft certified professional.
MCSE is out there a bit....cuz its like 7 different mcp exams...so its expensive and youll need some experience to pass all those exams.
N+ is good for the basic networking stuff.
One slight downside to the A+ and N+ is that they r a lil more expensive that a single mcp is.
The A+ is actually TWO tests...or 'two halves'...an "os" half and a 'core" or hardware half.
So I am thinking that each test is like $200,lol. maybe Im wrong.
each mcp is around $125.
Sometimes you can get discount vouchers if you buy stuff like microsoft books or take certain classes etc.
There are lotsssss of good "cert" websites like
www.certmag.com
of course they are very "cert biased"..so take some of th ehype with a grain of salt...they want you to think a cert guarantees a sweet job, lol. It doesnt.
Good luck in the usaf..I did my 3.5 yrs back in the mid 80's. There are some tuff moments sometimes but if you stick with it youll enjoy the experience.
Plan ahead, make the most of it.
JP
hardware
prices 
