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Looking for advice on joining USAF
5/15/2011 8:50:42 PM
I'm seriously considering joining the USAF. I need any and all advice you all can give me. I'm just trying to get informed before I go talk to a recruiter, which I plan on doin very soon. Thanks guys!!!
5/15/2011 8:55:38 PM
i was a cop join the fire dept better schedual or a boom operator = flight status
5/15/2011 9:02:21 PM
What are your aptitudes and interests?
That would be a good place to start.
Electronics is what I have always been interested in, so when I joined it was for an electronics tech career field.\
If I had to do it again, I'd be more inclined to push for something on flight status. Boom operator, maybe. Probably not a loadmaster,
since that's just cargo shuffling with flight pay. Crew chiefs don't fly much but it may be very satisfying to work on aircraft systems,
and aircraft technical jobs lead to crew chief jobs.
Whatever, get in by any means and use the educational opportunities afforded you by the Community College of the Air Force, and any
other educational opportunities that are given to you. Use them, get your commission as an officer, and pursue an officer's career.
How well you do and where you end up is entirely up to you. It is entirely possible that enlisting in the USAF could lead you to
become a future astronaut.
CJ
That would be a good place to start.
Electronics is what I have always been interested in, so when I joined it was for an electronics tech career field.\
If I had to do it again, I'd be more inclined to push for something on flight status. Boom operator, maybe. Probably not a loadmaster,
since that's just cargo shuffling with flight pay. Crew chiefs don't fly much but it may be very satisfying to work on aircraft systems,
and aircraft technical jobs lead to crew chief jobs.
Whatever, get in by any means and use the educational opportunities afforded you by the Community College of the Air Force, and any
other educational opportunities that are given to you. Use them, get your commission as an officer, and pursue an officer's career.
How well you do and where you end up is entirely up to you. It is entirely possible that enlisting in the USAF could lead you to
become a future astronaut.
CJ
5/15/2011 9:06:57 PM
I wold like to do security forces or something similar.
5/15/2011 10:05:18 PM
That kind of limits you on long-term advancement. Pulling guard duty for a bunch of airplanes isn't exactly exciting and doesn't lead
to much opportunity for advancement to a really interesting position.
Being a patrolman isn't much better, career-wise. It make it pretty easy to get a job as a cop in the civilian world, though.
I recommend going in a technical direction. Something that makes for good employment prospects when you get out,
and gives lots of opportunity for advancement while you stay in.
Your recruiter will be able to show you some information on likely career paths, which will show you what a given entry job
is going to lead to if you stay in that career field as you advance. You should look at the higher levels of the career charts,
looking for positions you'd like to be in some day, and the charts will show you what entry positions lead in that direction.
If you want to be a crew chief, you won't get there by asking for security jobs. You'd ask for airframe & powerplant jobs instead,
which lead to crew chief jobs.
Don't think just about the first job in the service, but where that job leads to instead. Get the job that leads you where you want to go.
CJ
to much opportunity for advancement to a really interesting position.
Being a patrolman isn't much better, career-wise. It make it pretty easy to get a job as a cop in the civilian world, though.
I recommend going in a technical direction. Something that makes for good employment prospects when you get out,
and gives lots of opportunity for advancement while you stay in.
Your recruiter will be able to show you some information on likely career paths, which will show you what a given entry job
is going to lead to if you stay in that career field as you advance. You should look at the higher levels of the career charts,
looking for positions you'd like to be in some day, and the charts will show you what entry positions lead in that direction.
If you want to be a crew chief, you won't get there by asking for security jobs. You'd ask for airframe & powerplant jobs instead,
which lead to crew chief jobs.
Don't think just about the first job in the service, but where that job leads to instead. Get the job that leads you where you want to go.
CJ
5/16/2011 4:55:40 AM
Originally Posted By EastWestKy:
I wold like to do security forces or something similar.
I wold like to do security forces or something similar.
What is it about that job that you find appealing?
5/16/2011 8:33:34 AM
Originally Posted By ByNameRequest:
What is it about that job that you find appealing?
Originally Posted By EastWestKy:
I wold like to do security forces or something similar.
I wold like to do security forces or something similar.
What is it about that job that you find appealing?
If it's the playing with guns then look at combat control, pararescue, or TACP
5/16/2011 10:42:38 AM
I'm looking at the security forces because I'd like to work in some type of police agency, be it state police or sheriff or even a game warden, and this looks it would give me some good experience for that. I just want to serve my country. I've always thrown the idea around, I decided that I need to start actin on whatever I'm going to do because I graduate college in December.
5/16/2011 1:17:40 PM
Nothing wrong with Security Forces, especially if you’ve always wanted to know how many rivets a B-52 has or wondered how far below zero it gets in the winter in the missile fields of North Dakota.
My recommendation as a military retiree; do something that translates into opportunity in the outside world. I recommend intelligence and contracting as career fields since having a TS-SCI or contracting experience translates into quick employment on the outside.
5/16/2011 1:20:58 PM
Originally Posted By cmjohnson:
What are your aptitudes and interests?
That would be a good place to start.
Electronics is what I have always been interested in, so when I joined it was for an electronics tech career field.
If I had to do it again, I'd be more inclined to push for something on flight status. Boom operator, maybe. Probably not a loadmaster,
since that's just cargo shuffling with flight pay. Crew chiefs don't fly much but it may be very satisfying to work on aircraft systems,
and aircraft technical jobs lead to crew chief jobs.
Whatever, get in by any means and use the educational opportunities afforded you by the Community College of the Air Force, and any
other educational opportunities that are given to you. Use them, get your commission as an officer, and pursue an officer's career.
How well you do and where you end up is entirely up to you. It is entirely possible that enlisting in the USAF could lead you to
become a future astronaut.
CJ
What are your aptitudes and interests?
That would be a good place to start.
Electronics is what I have always been interested in, so when I joined it was for an electronics tech career field.
If I had to do it again, I'd be more inclined to push for something on flight status. Boom operator, maybe. Probably not a loadmaster,
since that's just cargo shuffling with flight pay. Crew chiefs don't fly much but it may be very satisfying to work on aircraft systems,
and aircraft technical jobs lead to crew chief jobs.
Whatever, get in by any means and use the educational opportunities afforded you by the Community College of the Air Force, and any
other educational opportunities that are given to you. Use them, get your commission as an officer, and pursue an officer's career.
How well you do and where you end up is entirely up to you. It is entirely possible that enlisting in the USAF could lead you to
become a future astronaut.
CJ
Shows how much you know about the job.
5/16/2011 2:20:50 PM
I've been with the Security Forces for 11 years now. I've loved it and hated through that time. It all depends on what I was doing and who I was working for at the time. Deployments were the best. You actually saw that your job had an impact. If you want to get in on this gig, just know what you're getting yourself into. Long hours, shitty work conditions, and you'll deal with people at their worst. However, you'll make some of the best friends you'll ever have, you'll also party pretty damn hard.
One thing that people fail to understand about our job is they think we won't be able to do anything after the military other than be a security guard or a cop. It's all how you apply yourself post military. I have friends who got out who are X-Ray specialists, congressional aides, businessmen/owners, and government workers/contractors. I've met more people who had these technical jobs in the Air Force who got out and were schlepping drinks or working retail. For instance my current boss was an F-15 crew chief who got out after his first enlistment. He couldn't find any mechanic jobs. Guess what he became? An E-4 in Security Forces.
.
OP: take a look at what the AF has to offer and research it thoroughly. When you decide to pull the trigger, get a guaranteed contract. Good luck.
One thing that people fail to understand about our job is they think we won't be able to do anything after the military other than be a security guard or a cop. It's all how you apply yourself post military. I have friends who got out who are X-Ray specialists, congressional aides, businessmen/owners, and government workers/contractors. I've met more people who had these technical jobs in the Air Force who got out and were schlepping drinks or working retail. For instance my current boss was an F-15 crew chief who got out after his first enlistment. He couldn't find any mechanic jobs. Guess what he became? An E-4 in Security Forces.
.
OP: take a look at what the AF has to offer and research it thoroughly. When you decide to pull the trigger, get a guaranteed contract. Good luck.
5/16/2011 2:23:08 PM
Originally Posted By cmjohnson:
That kind of limits you on long-term advancement. Pulling guard duty for a bunch of airplanes isn't exactly exciting and doesn't lead
to much opportunity for advancement to a really interesting position.
Being a patrolman isn't much better, career-wise. It make it pretty easy to get a job as a cop in the civilian world, though.
I recommend going in a technical direction. Something that makes for good employment prospects when you get out,
and gives lots of opportunity for advancement while you stay in.
Your recruiter will be able to show you some information on likely career paths, which will show you what a given entry job
is going to lead to if you stay in that career field as you advance. You should look at the higher levels of the career charts,
looking for positions you'd like to be in some day, and the charts will show you what entry positions lead in that direction.
If you want to be a crew chief, you won't get there by asking for security jobs. You'd ask for airframe & powerplant jobs instead,
which lead to crew chief jobs.
Don't think just about the first job in the service, but where that job leads to instead. Get the job that leads you where you want to go.
CJ
That kind of limits you on long-term advancement. Pulling guard duty for a bunch of airplanes isn't exactly exciting and doesn't lead
to much opportunity for advancement to a really interesting position.
Being a patrolman isn't much better, career-wise. It make it pretty easy to get a job as a cop in the civilian world, though.
I recommend going in a technical direction. Something that makes for good employment prospects when you get out,
and gives lots of opportunity for advancement while you stay in.
Your recruiter will be able to show you some information on likely career paths, which will show you what a given entry job
is going to lead to if you stay in that career field as you advance. You should look at the higher levels of the career charts,
looking for positions you'd like to be in some day, and the charts will show you what entry positions lead in that direction.
If you want to be a crew chief, you won't get there by asking for security jobs. You'd ask for airframe & powerplant jobs instead,
which lead to crew chief jobs.
Don't think just about the first job in the service, but where that job leads to instead. Get the job that leads you where you want to go.
CJ
No, it doesn't. When I left Active Duty I was 24 years old, had 4 years time is service as a cop (USAF Security Forces), 2 deployments (1 of which was Iraq) and a shitload of experience. I hadn't been through the academy so no department would touch me but regularly hired 21 year-olds that lived with mom and dad and put themselves through the academy.
5/16/2011 5:33:17 PM
I generally tell people to avoid Security Forces like the plague. It gets a lot of Open General and reclasses from PJ/CCT/SERE/TACP.
It is definitely not one of the more glorious or admired positions, but definitely a necessity. Yes, I do agree that deployed is where you actually feel like you are doing something productive.
What is your education level? The highest enlisted rank you can enter in as is E-3.
I've made the most of it and am working on a retrain to something with flight pay. PM if you have any specific questions.
It is definitely not one of the more glorious or admired positions, but definitely a necessity. Yes, I do agree that deployed is where you actually feel like you are doing something productive.
What is your education level? The highest enlisted rank you can enter in as is E-3.
I've made the most of it and am working on a retrain to something with flight pay. PM if you have any specific questions.
5/16/2011 6:31:07 PM
My suggestion being someone who just finished enlisting in the Marines. Do as much research into the USAF as you possibly can, MOS's tests you need to take what basic is like. Talk to people who are presently enlisted vets, and people who are going through the same process. im not sure if the Air force has something like the Marines do Leatherneck.com helped me out a lot because that is all that post there are Marines, Wannabes, Poolees, and Marine Family members. All I am waiting on is my MOS contract and for 20111114 so I can ship to MCRDPI
My recruiter told me to make a Pro and Con of joining the Marines or just the Military in general. As your rents and family if they have any questions for you to ask, and ask all the questions you can. Even if they are silly questions ask them thats what you are trying to find out is if this is something that you want. This is also the only time really you can negotiate anything so if youc an possibly get rank or anything like that search into that stuff too.
Also get out of your head that your recruiter will lie to you or force you into any thing or that the military NEEDS you. First the recruiter may tell you some small lies or some false truths thats just kind of a given but given the state of the union they dont need to tell you bold face lies anymore. Everything in todays military is Voluntary if you have had ADHD and they tell you when you go to MEPS that they only knwo what you tell them, (which depending on what it is you have or may need a waiver for they will tell you) and you omit whatever it is you have that is on you. Also the military does not NEED you they have lines out the freakin door of people waiting to enlist so dont pretend they need you. Especially as seeing the government is going broke and they are starting to scale back the military.
My recruiter told me to make a Pro and Con of joining the Marines or just the Military in general. As your rents and family if they have any questions for you to ask, and ask all the questions you can. Even if they are silly questions ask them thats what you are trying to find out is if this is something that you want. This is also the only time really you can negotiate anything so if youc an possibly get rank or anything like that search into that stuff too.
Also get out of your head that your recruiter will lie to you or force you into any thing or that the military NEEDS you. First the recruiter may tell you some small lies or some false truths thats just kind of a given but given the state of the union they dont need to tell you bold face lies anymore. Everything in todays military is Voluntary if you have had ADHD and they tell you when you go to MEPS that they only knwo what you tell them, (which depending on what it is you have or may need a waiver for they will tell you) and you omit whatever it is you have that is on you. Also the military does not NEED you they have lines out the freakin door of people waiting to enlist so dont pretend they need you. Especially as seeing the government is going broke and they are starting to scale back the military.
5/17/2011 5:56:01 PM
My suggestion is any of the 1A/1U AFSC's. Having been maintenance that worked very close with Security Forces for 4 years, I wouldn't recommend either.
5/17/2011 6:06:18 PM
Originally Posted By cmjohnson:
That kind of limits you on long-term advancement. Pulling guard duty for a bunch of airplanes isn't exactly exciting and doesn't lead
to much opportunity for advancement to a really interesting position.
CJ
That kind of limits you on long-term advancement. Pulling guard duty for a bunch of airplanes isn't exactly exciting and doesn't lead
to much opportunity for advancement to a really interesting position.
CJ
I was able to parlay my four year enlistment in Security Forces into a number of very interesting and rewarding jobs and am now three years into my dream career. Nothing wrong with that AFSC at all. You have a much wider spectrum of jobs than most folks in the .mil, deploy quite a bit, and, unlike most of the rest of the AF, occasionally feel like you're actually in the military. Yep, you'll burn up a lot of 12 hour shifts sitting in a truck with some asshole wondering when your chow's going to arrive. All jobs have a downside.
5/21/2011 10:33:50 PM
Totally agree with Mett-t. I'm a 21R but see SFS on a daily basis and they do a variety of things. Their job translates into many .gov jobs. I know a few that went into mid-high level positions in TSA, DHS and even the private sector. Does anyone know how much someone makes for being a body guard to a teeny bopper for the weekend? Any intelligence agency (CIA, FBI) and federal or local law enforcement would look at previous experience in the military doing similar work.
5/21/2011 11:58:47 PM
What you need to know about the AF. Need to know about BMT?I can help you with that. Need to know about certain jobs. Can't help with that just yet. Want to know about Tech school. I can help you with that. All depends on what advice you want. Most go as open general (active duty) Reserves and Guard have like locked slots (afsc). If you go open general you wont learn about your career till the end of BMT. Same go for bases. You get a wish list of jobs etc etc but it comes down to the Air Forces needs at that time. Heres a quick tip about BMT. Shut your mouth and just do what your told. If your called upon by a MTI... Your heels better come together and "sir Trainee (your name) reports as ordered" after it. You wont regret it. You'll hate yourself and everything around your for the first... 2 weeks. 
5/22/2011 12:04:26 AM
Originally Posted By cmjohnson:
What are your aptitudes and interests?
That would be a good place to start.
Electronics is what I have always been interested in, so when I joined it was for an electronics tech career field.
If I had to do it again, I'd be more inclined to push for something on flight status. Boom operator, maybe. Probably not a loadmaster,
since that's just cargo shuffling with flight pay. Crew chiefs don't fly much but it may be very satisfying to work on aircraft systems,
and aircraft technical jobs lead to crew chief jobs.
Whatever, get in by any means and use the educational opportunities afforded you by the Community College of the Air Force, and any
other educational opportunities that are given to you. Use them, get your commission as an officer, and pursue an officer's career.
How well you do and where you end up is entirely up to you. It is entirely possible that enlisting in the USAF could lead you to
become a future astronaut.
CJ
What are your aptitudes and interests?
That would be a good place to start.
Electronics is what I have always been interested in, so when I joined it was for an electronics tech career field.
If I had to do it again, I'd be more inclined to push for something on flight status. Boom operator, maybe. Probably not a loadmaster,
since that's just cargo shuffling with flight pay. Crew chiefs don't fly much but it may be very satisfying to work on aircraft systems,
and aircraft technical jobs lead to crew chief jobs.
Whatever, get in by any means and use the educational opportunities afforded you by the Community College of the Air Force, and any
other educational opportunities that are given to you. Use them, get your commission as an officer, and pursue an officer's career.
How well you do and where you end up is entirely up to you. It is entirely possible that enlisting in the USAF could lead you to
become a future astronaut.
CJ
Are you seriously dispensing advice here?
Please leave that to the people who actually served and have relevant experience.
5/22/2011 9:42:43 AM
Originally Posted By nobenz:
Totally agree with Mett-t. I'm a 21R but see SFS on a daily basis and they do a variety of things. Their job translates into many .gov jobs. I know a few that went into mid-high level positions in TSA, DHS and even the private sector. Does anyone know how much someone makes for being a body guard to a teeny bopper for the weekend? Any intelligence agency (CIA, FBI) and federal or local law enforcement would look at previous experience in the military doing similar work.
Totally agree with Mett-t. I'm a 21R but see SFS on a daily basis and they do a variety of things. Their job translates into many .gov jobs. I know a few that went into mid-high level positions in TSA, DHS and even the private sector. Does anyone know how much someone makes for being a body guard to a teeny bopper for the weekend? Any intelligence agency (CIA, FBI) and federal or local law enforcement would look at previous experience in the military doing similar work.
I agree. I have worked with Security Forces folks for the last 13.5 years (Not a cop myself). For 8.5 I worked with some pretty good guys and gals who were Instructors on Fort Dix. We taught contingency skills, convoy ops, Phoenix Raven, Phoenix Readiness, and anything else needing taught. The last 5 years were spent babysitting cops in the Missile Complex. They can do a bunch of different things other then watching the grass grow.
Here is a guy I worked with at Fort Dix for a few years. (MSgt Newman)
5/24/2011 2:48:27 PM
What ever you do... DO NOT GO 'OPEN GENERAL'. Also, pick a career field which will educate you on a career path that will be desireable when you leave the .mil. You may stay in 20 or get out at 4, but have a plan in case of either.
