Re: Joining the Air Force in a few months

**War.mongeR1** · 01-28-2009, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Portable.Cougar

I was a 2A5X1 g

Crew Cheif on a heavy

Really? That's awesome! I loved it when we had flying crewchiefs on board. Being a C-5, those guys were instrumental in keeping the mission moving forward. And you're right, I've also heard that ammo and sp jobs are NO fun at all.

**Barrel Chest** · 01-31-2009, 03:10 PM

I am very good with computers and I like alot of hands on work, so I chose careers based on what I like to do. If you have any computer oriented jobs that would be great!!

3C0X1-COMMUNICATIONS - COMPUTER SYSTEMS OPERATIONS (G-60)

3C0X2-COMMUNICATIONS - COMPUTER SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING (G-60)

3C2X1-COMMUNICATIONS - COMPUTER SYSTEMS CONTROL (E-67)

1C3X1-COMMAND POST (G-48)

3C3X1-COMMUNICATIONS - COMPUTER SYSTEMS PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION (G-58)

1N0X1-INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS (G-55)

2E2X1-ELECTRONIC COMPUTER AND SWITCHING SYSTEMS (E-67)

**AFsoccer** · 02-06-2009, 12:24 AM

Barrel Chest,

First off, thanks for considering military service. I was in the Air Force for 9 1/2 years and am now in the Reserves. I think you'll really like it, but before you sign up for a career choice I would ask that you think about these things:

How much do you think you'll enjoy the skills of that job?
The career book and online research should give you a good idea of what job(s) might fit your personality and abilities. This is probably the most important because if you're in a job that doesn't make you happy in some way, none of the other stuff will. In your profile you state that you love guns. If that's the case, then answering phones and setting up briefings in the command post probably won't do much for you.

Will I ever be home, or on the other extreme, will I ever get out and see the world?
Some jobs deploy too much and that makes it really hard on the individual and family. However, there are also jobs that are only found at one or two bases, so you probably won't get to see much of the world (and sometimes these bases are in less-than-desirable locations). Obviously if you want to study and take classes, the stationary jobs (like space and missiles) will be great, but I have friends that hated not being able to live overseas or sitting in a window-less silo for hours and hours. As warmonger said, online courses are readily available, so as long as you have an internet connection and self-discipline I'm sure you can make it work.

How will the skills help you outside of the military?
I know you said you want to become a pilot, but that is an extremely hard career to get picked for, even if you accomplish all of the prerequisites (get a baccalaureate degree, test well on the BAT, get great recommendation letters, etc.). So ask yourself what else you'd like to do and have a back-up plan, especially if you don't want to stay in the Air Force if you don't get picked to be a pilot. The Air Force is probably one of the best services when it comes to providing training in skills that you can use in the civilian world later. I was an air traffic control officer and we had a hard time keeping enlisted controllers in the Air Force. Don't get me wrong, the vast majority loved their job (and loved to tell Dirtboy where he missed a pebble), but the FAA offers them the same job for $80,000 a year (starting). So not only did most of them enjoy their time in the military, but they received training that set them up for a job later.

I really feel like I was lucky because I managed to find a great balance of all three of the above. 1) Being an air traffic control officer provided a good mix of technical hands-on, leadership, mentoring, management, and teamwork. 2) The career field is found at almost every Air Force base because if there's a runway, there's a control tower. 3) And finally, I received awesome training and experience, which ultimately set me up to be hired as an Airport Manager at a civilian airport.

Just some things to think about in your career selection.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

**Barrel Chest** · 02-06-2009, 01:09 PM

Thank you very much AF, I also sat down and had a interview with my recruiter and he told me about the online classes alternative. He told me that since I know alot about computers it wouldn't be wise for me to do a computer job since I wanted to be a pilot. So he told me to look into the aircrew positions offered which will help me get a experience of what life in the air is like. I have listened to him and took his advice. He corrected me and told me that on my application I would have to put down 5 choices of jobs that I want with the 1st one being the top priority. Hopefully if I become a fighter pilot during my time in the USAF, during my transition to civilian life maybe I can become a test pilot for one of the top aircraft companies or even fly commercial jets

1. 1A7X1 - AERIAL GUNNER
2. 1A0X1 - IN-FLIGHT REFUELING
3. 1A3X1 - AIRBORNE MISSION SYSTEMS
4. 1A2X1 - AIRCRAFT LOADMASTER
5. 1A4X1 - - AIRBORNE BATTLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

**Arganosh** · 02-06-2009, 01:23 PM

Ask the recruiter about guaranteed bases. When I went in years ago they had a list of jobs where you could also pick the base you wanted.

**Barrel Chest** · 02-06-2009, 01:30 PM

Yeah they give you a list of 8 local and 8 overseas bases and you get to pick I think 6 of them where you desire to be stationed at.

**Lorax74** · 02-06-2009, 09:12 PM

A base wish list is just that, a wish list - they will put you where they need you. In my unfortunate case, they needed me at Lackland - ugh! I have no regrets and I'd do it again in a heartbeat I also loved San Antonio...

**Barrel Chest** · 02-07-2009, 10:11 AM

These are my asvab scores from 12th grade and I was wondering with these scores, will I be good to go or will I have to retake when I head out to the MEPS. I didnt really study for the ASVAB at my school since it was a spur of the moment thing but I will be studying from now until im ready to take the ASVAB, so if these scores seems lower than normal, forgive me

Career Exploration Scores

Verbal Skills - 50
Math Skills - 49
Science and Technical Skills - 49

ASVAB Tests
General Science - 47

Arithmetic Reasoning - 49

Word Knowledge - 46

Paragraph Comprehension - 57

Mathematics Knowledge - 50

Electronics Information - 53

Auto and Shop Information - 51

Mechanical Comprehension - 47

AFQT = 43

**CingularDuality** · 02-07-2009, 10:12 AM

Those are your percentile scores?

**Barrel Chest** · 02-07-2009, 10:16 AM

No those are my 12th grade standard scores, do i need to list the percentile scores?

**CingularDuality** · 02-07-2009, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Barrel Chest

No those are my 12th grade standard scores, do i need to list the percentile scores?

Either that or provide a context for "12th grade standard scores". Everyone is going to know the context for percentile scores for your demographic, and most military folks will know the context for a GT or GCT score. Those will be the most useful in this discussion, I think.

**Punisher** · 02-07-2009, 10:40 AM

Ugh... the Chair Force? The Air Farce? :P I'm kidding. We had a guy we were ragging on who's family member was in the Air Force (us being all Marines). I will admit that if you want an organization that has the latest and greatest gear the Air Force is it. Us Marines were like the red headed step children that ate moldy bread from a bowl under the stairs. :P

But out of your options... the one that stood out for me as the most interesting was:

2M0X1-MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS ELECTRONIC MAINTENANCE (E-67)

But then I liked blowing crap up. I was a machinegunner that mainly used the MK-19 (automatic grenade launcher) with close support Javelins and TOW's (and AT-4's in the rear of my truck for backup use).

What I see from your choices that don't sound good to me personally are:

2A3X1- F-15/F-111 AVIONIC SYSTEMS (E-67)
2A3X2-F-16, F-117, CV-22 AVIONIC SYSTEMS (E-67)

They sound like the same things... with model variations. But when it comes down to it, these systems MAY phase out and you'll be moved to a new job. Of course the military gets butthurt about moving on (Marines were using Vietnam cammies up until 2004, and still carry old M16-A2's). But there's always the off chance that they MAY get rid of some models and it would suck to be in a position like that.

At least with the first one I mentioned... (the missile maintenance) there will always be a need for button pushers and fixers of the buttons/projectiles. There will always be a new missile technology added in and you'll be needed to fix it.

Of course being Marine Corps I'm not all in the know when it comes to Air Force tech or MOS choices. But I will tell you from experience... MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR CHOICE IN YOUR CONTRACT!

Sorry for the CAPS but it needs to be said. I was "told" that I could "get" something when I got to my School of Infantry, that was nowhere near the case. The instructors even called my recruiters who said I should have gotten the MOS, but because it wasn't in writing I defaulted to something else with a "Tough luck pal". So whatever you decide to do, make sure it's set before you go.

What's cool about the military and I'm sure most if not all of this has been said already... you can cross change your MOS. I think they call it a "Lat move" now. It means you can move to another MOS after a certain period of time. This is good if you pick an MOS you're not entirely happy on and you can switch later. I found myself happy with my "choice" in the end so it worked out. I actually was better off because I had more training than I would have had I gone to the other MOS first. Not only that but I also ended up getting trained by one of the greatest minds in the Marine Corps. Most people wouldn't know him but he was my Gunny and ended up being Battalion Gunner before I left (his name was Vitale). He basically wrote the book on Anti-Armor.

But anyway... good on you for enlisting. I'm glad to see people carrying the torch of freedom through service. One day it might not be a voluntary thing... so it speaks volumes for those that sign up today. Everyone from the trigger man, to the stock crew to the truck driver are important in the fight. Good on you for your choice of the Air Force (I don't know what their hoo-ah type roar is if they have one... so I'll give you a Marine one) Hoorah! Good luck on your travels if you go overseas (anything is possible with the needs of the military even if they say you wont deploy), and keep your damn head down, and eyes forward.

**Barrel Chest** · 04-27-2009, 03:07 PM

I have a appointment on Friday at the Air Force. Is their anything I should know about the recruiter's tricks so I dont get screwed over? The recruiter told me that when I come in on friday he will get my information and then I would have to wait a week to take tests. Then I will be on like a waiting list or something

**KoopaTroopa** · 04-27-2009, 08:35 PM

It's your choice, of course, but I reordered your list. Keep in mind that this is from the point of view of an Army infantryman, not a Chair Force slob.

1. 1A7X1 - AERIAL GUNNER
2. 1A2X1 - AIRCRAFT LOADMASTER
3. 1A0X1 - IN-FLIGHT REFUELING
4. 1A3X1 - AIRBORNE MISSION SYSTEMS
5. 1A4X1 - - AIRBORNE BATTLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Mission/battle management systems sounds like those poor bastards sitting in front of a monitor on an AWACS tracking little icons on their screens. Basically a desk job in an airplane. Aerial gunnery sounds AWESOME! I bet those are the lucky guys that blow up stuff from an AC-130. Loadmaster goes before a refueler since loadmaster sounds a lot more involving and active. I'd be afraid that an in-flight refueler basically sits around on the plane and flips a switch when the jet connects to the fuel boom. *yawn*

**Skud** · 04-27-2009, 09:53 PM

I suggest NOT enlisting into a maintenance field. Crew chiefs get all the ****, and there's a lot of hierarchy and nasty career progression. Tie that to a lot of stubborn airmen at your shop and you're in for a rough first couple of years.

I am an A1C in Weather, finishing up my tech school.

3CO is what I should have done. 3CO is stationed here in my dormitory. 3CO basically sets up, maintains, and regulates network and cyber based systems. Out of all the jobs you listed, 3CO communications is the MOST desirable. Tech school is fast paced, at 4 months long. (Also, they don't have to wear blues

that's a big plus...)

Shoot me a PM about enlisting. I just went through the process myself not too long ago (Hard to believe I left home in October.)

I can pretty much answer your questions

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