Air Force AFSC/Job Selection Help?
I am turning 17 this august and still am in high school, therefore i am planning to enter the air force through the softbook program. I have talked to my recruiter and even though I am dying to be a firefighter in the AF, I know the job is very hard to get a spot in even though I volunteer now at a station will have have FF I and FF II cert. by the time I graduate next june.
Anyways I need to pick 4 jobs as a member of the Softbook program. One is for sure fire protection apprentice. I do not like to do paper pushing jobs or sit in an office all day. I like to do hands-on, challenging, and interesting NON-COMBAT jobs. More than anything though, I like to help people and to make a difference. I also want something that has a good translation to civilian life.
I was thinking possibly as the other three:
Chaplain Assistant(I dont know much about this, is it or is it not a combat job?)
Aerospace Maintenance/ Jet Mechanic/Crew Chief
Emergency Management/Readiness
Aerospace Propulsions Systems
Air Traffic Controller
Security Forces
Integrated Avionics Systems
space systems
aerospace physiology(I know nothing about this job)
SERE,EOD and PJ [probably more of impulse choices]
If I had to pick today i would put:
Fire Protection apprentice
Crew Chief/aerospace maintenance
integrated avionics systems
Chaplain Assistant
Thank You and God Bless.
BTW, What is harder to become SERE, EOD, or PJ
PS: I have also thought about the coast guard as an AST (Aviation Survival Technician) and more minor as Damage controlman
Also I have have thought about going into Intel, as one day I would possibly want to work in the CIA.
Chaplain Assistant – there are usually one or more chaplains assigned to a base. You will simply be his or her assistant – this is definately not the kind of thing you have in mind.
Aerospace Maintenance/ Jet Mechanic/Crew Chief – I did this on F-15’s. Great job, lots of hand on but can get tedious and monotonous unless you volunteer to go TDY frequently.
Emergency Management/Readiness – As readiness you would be in an office more than you like. You would probably be writing policy, developing evacuation plans for the base, helping to evaluate excercises, and training troops on Nuclear, Chemical and Biological warfare.
Aerospace Propulsions Systems – jet engine mechanic. You’d be the guy the crew cheif called if the engines didn’t work.
Air Traffic Controller – high stress job, probably wind up sitting down more than you’d want to.
Security Forces – really a lot more boring than people would think. Not a lot of crime on a military base (especially AF). You’d wind up patroling the flightline, the perimeter and the front gate. While deployed you would be doing the same thing.
Integrated Avionics Systems – more electronics than mechanics. These are the guys that I used to call if I got an indication that there was something wrong with the avionics – they would come out, pull a box out of the nose cone and take it back to the shop to work on it.
space systems – FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON’T PICK THIS! I’ve only met a few people in Space Systems and they all work at missile bases in the middle of NOWHERE. The generally do not deploy frequently. I really don’t know what they do but one guy I met spent so much time alone in a bunker that he had HORRIBLE social skillls. He had volunteer to deploy with the Army to get out of his "hole in the ground."
aerospace physiology – This job is more in the medical career field.
SERE,EOD and PJ [probably more of impulse choices] – EOD has a 85-90% wash out rate. As a crew cheif I met several guys who had washed out of PJ school and SERE school and got transferred to being crew cheifs. As a PJ you will not spend a lot of time at home – one of the girls I was deployed with had been married for 3 years and spent about 6 months of time with her husband. Immediately after she returned to the states her husband was deployed for another 6 months. SERE is actually an instructor position. You will be training aircrew and intel troops on Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape. Public speaking is part of it – I knew one guy who got washed out because he couldn’t give a 5 minute speech without cursing.
I think your work as Aerospace Maintenance would be a good choice for hands-on work as well. Some other choices to consider, Air Traffic Controller; this would allow you to work closely with flights and logistics, with fewer paperwork than other jobs. Security Forces wouldn’t be a bad choice either. Chaplain’s Assistant is a non-combat job, but it would consist of more work with the clergy than with the Air Force directly, which is something to consider.
Above all, I think it is honorable that you wish to serve your country. You’re 17, so another option you should definitely consider, is applying for the AFROTC (Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps) program. If accepted, the Air Force would pay full tuition for college, and you could emerge an Air Force Officer.
Best of luck in your endeavors, I hope you get the FF job you are seeking.
References :
I can deffinitely help you with this. I have been in the AF for 3 years. As an Air Traffic Controller, which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE! I’ll go down the list explaining each one..
-Chaplains are officers that help military members with troubles, and usually implement religion and/or spirituality into their counseling. You would be their assistant. You will never fight or see combat, but a chaplain’s assistant is NOT a non-combatant.
-Aero maintenance / mechanic– unless you’re a hardcore gearhead and love working extremely long hours in all weather conditions (outside) I’d stay away from this one.
-Emergency Management/Readiness- you would spend most of the time in a warehouse, making sure deployment gear is ready all the time.
-Aero propulsion- jet engine mechanic. see above.
–
Air traffic controller.. I’ve been doing this for over 3 years, and I love it. But the schedule sucks (nights, weekends, holidays, etc) and it is the most difficult and stressful thing I have ever accomplished.
As a Radar Controller, I’m responsible for 10 airports, HUNDREDS of lives (mostly civilians) and millions upon millions of dollars in aircraft.
A lot of people cannot handle the pressure, or the training .. in my experience 75% from the start don’t make it.
–
-Security Forces- you’d be a cop on base. and deploy a lot, but it’s noble and a tight-nit group. a great choice if you like wearing a gun and body armor.
-Int. Avionics systems- work on high tech sensory and navigation equipment inside aircraft. I have a buddy doing this for the Navy and he seems to like it.
-Aero Physiology- you’d be working at the hospital, handling medical records and general work for doctors who see members on Flying Status, like me
SERE- you’d eventually be an instructor for a crazy survival course.
EOD- Bomb squad baby. this job is your best chance at getting killed in the Air Force. you disable and blow up bombs.
PJ- Pararescuman. You get to wear a maroon beret, and put yourself in harms way (think Navy Seals) rescuing people in enemy territory or captured.
Hardcore = PJ > EOD > SERE
Go Air Force!
References :
the last 3 years of my life.
This website lists the Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC)
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforce/...
You might find a career field that interests you for an enlistment or more
This website lists the job descriptions and qualification factors
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjobs.htm
This website describes the career fields broken down by Aptitude Area (Mechanical / Electrical / Administrative / General)
http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/en...
This website lists AFSC / Job Title / Technical School Location / Length of School
http://www.usafdep.com/techSchool_locations.php
This website will give you an overview of the Air Force Lifestyle
http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/en...
Here is a website for the Air Force Pre Boot Camp Workout Schedule
http://www.military.com/military-fitness...
Here are three websites that explains Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) broken down for each WOT (Week of Training)
http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/en...
http://www.airforcebasic.com/
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airforcej...
All Active Duty Air Force / Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel (regardless of their selected career field) go through the same basic training program.
Feel free to check out my profile as I have answered a number of Air Force related questions of one form or another over time
References :
USAF Vet
96 – 06
im currently attending school to for fighter crew chief across the street from me are the heavy crew chiefs. Its pretty cool going to the hangers everyday and getting to put your hands on jets. As far as combat goes you will never see it but you will always train for it. Even working on the flight line. Dont pick security forces they deploy ever 6 months and work crazy long hours and you will probably see combat. Air traffic control is a good way to go but a lot of people fail the tech school for that job. Aerospace propulsions is really cool to i would try to get that job. As far as fire protection goes that will be something you will wait a long time for.
References :
Chaplin assistant
Emergency Management Readiness
The other career fields get deployed alot and your going to be away from family alot.
References :
Chaplain Assistant – there are usually one or more chaplains assigned to a base. You will simply be his or her assistant – this is definately not the kind of thing you have in mind.
Aerospace Maintenance/ Jet Mechanic/Crew Chief – I did this on F-15’s. Great job, lots of hand on but can get tedious and monotonous unless you volunteer to go TDY frequently.
Emergency Management/Readiness – As readiness you would be in an office more than you like. You would probably be writing policy, developing evacuation plans for the base, helping to evaluate excercises, and training troops on Nuclear, Chemical and Biological warfare.
Aerospace Propulsions Systems – jet engine mechanic. You’d be the guy the crew cheif called if the engines didn’t work.
Air Traffic Controller – high stress job, probably wind up sitting down more than you’d want to.
Security Forces – really a lot more boring than people would think. Not a lot of crime on a military base (especially AF). You’d wind up patroling the flightline, the perimeter and the front gate. While deployed you would be doing the same thing.
Integrated Avionics Systems – more electronics than mechanics. These are the guys that I used to call if I got an indication that there was something wrong with the avionics – they would come out, pull a box out of the nose cone and take it back to the shop to work on it.
space systems – FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON’T PICK THIS! I’ve only met a few people in Space Systems and they all work at missile bases in the middle of NOWHERE. The generally do not deploy frequently. I really don’t know what they do but one guy I met spent so much time alone in a bunker that he had HORRIBLE social skillls. He had volunteer to deploy with the Army to get out of his "hole in the ground."
aerospace physiology – This job is more in the medical career field.
SERE,EOD and PJ [probably more of impulse choices] – EOD has a 85-90% wash out rate. As a crew cheif I met several guys who had washed out of PJ school and SERE school and got transferred to being crew cheifs. As a PJ you will not spend a lot of time at home – one of the girls I was deployed with had been married for 3 years and spent about 6 months of time with her husband. Immediately after she returned to the states her husband was deployed for another 6 months. SERE is actually an instructor position. You will be training aircrew and intel troops on Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape. Public speaking is part of it – I knew one guy who got washed out because he couldn’t give a 5 minute speech without cursing.
References :
7 years enlisted AF