joining usaf
This is what I did for 6 Years and loved it 2A6X2 - AEROSPACE GROUND EQUIPMENT-http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob2a6x2.htm
Siplified, you work on any equipment aircraft requier to run systems while on the ground. From heaters to 60,000 psi x3, hydralic power systems (used to jack up the plane, operate the landing gear flaps etc.)
Lots of travel if you like, (Equipment goes wherever aircraft go) and many of the things you will learn correspond to automotive applications, heavy transportation= Semi's, Trains, ships etc. And of course civilian aircraft.
Good luck!
Siplified, you work on any equipment aircraft requier to run systems while on the ground. From heaters to 60,000 psi x3, hydralic power systems (used to jack up the plane, operate the landing gear flaps etc.)
Lots of travel if you like, (Equipment goes wherever aircraft go) and many of the things you will learn correspond to automotive applications, heavy transportation= Semi's, Trains, ships etc. And of course civilian aircraft.
Good luck!
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: MN
As you can see, anyone who's been there has their own idea of the perfect job. If you would like advise, we need a better idea of why you are joining and what you want out of it (education benefits, steady income and benefits for a few years, job training, or maybe a military career).
For me, I felt that the AF revolves around the flight line and everything else is just there for support, so I chose to be a crew chief on F-16s. If you want a challenging job where there is no room for error look at Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD).
If you just want to go to school while you are in pick an office job such as finance; they generally only work a day shift and that gives you the ability to take night classes (security forces, aircraft maintenance, fire/rescue, and command post are all examples of jobs that maintain 24 hour crews and may change your shift periodically causing challenges in attending school while you are in). I heard about a services guy who worked at the base gym passing out towels and basketballs that was able to complete a 4 year degree during his 4 year enlistment because he could read at work and had a set schedule.
The best job is different for everyone. You need to give us an idea of what you are looking for.
For me, I felt that the AF revolves around the flight line and everything else is just there for support, so I chose to be a crew chief on F-16s. If you want a challenging job where there is no room for error look at Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD).
If you just want to go to school while you are in pick an office job such as finance; they generally only work a day shift and that gives you the ability to take night classes (security forces, aircraft maintenance, fire/rescue, and command post are all examples of jobs that maintain 24 hour crews and may change your shift periodically causing challenges in attending school while you are in). I heard about a services guy who worked at the base gym passing out towels and basketballs that was able to complete a 4 year degree during his 4 year enlistment because he could read at work and had a set schedule.
The best job is different for everyone. You need to give us an idea of what you are looking for.
been working propulsion on C130's now for 25 years or so. Still like the job, still get to go places(in the desert now) and the pay is not too shabby either. I did active duty and reserves and have been an air reserve technician for quite a while on the civilian side. I double dip my paycheck here and there to make extra cash for the Camaro. I usually go to Alaska every couple of years, Hawaii the opposite years, we work storms out of St. Croix during hurricane season and all points in between. Even spent a little better than a month in Guam last year(made BIG bucks on that one too!) It's all in what you want to do and how patient you can be to get there. Do four, get the GI bill, get some direction. If it sucks, get out. If it doesn't work towards a future either way. You have nothing to lose and a great future to gain.
12 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
been working propulsion on c130's now for 25 years or so. Still like the job, still get to go places(in the desert now) and the pay is not too shabby either. I did active duty and reserves and have been an air reserve technician for quite a while on the civilian side. I double dip my paycheck here and there to make extra cash for the camaro. I usually go to alaska every couple of years, hawaii the opposite years, we work storms out of st. Croix during hurricane season and all points in between. Even spent a little better than a month in guam last year(made big bucks on that one too!) it's all in what you want to do and how patient you can be to get there. Do four, get the gi bill, get some direction. If it sucks, get out. If it doesn't work towards a future either way. You have nothing to lose and a great future to gain.
12 Second Club
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Goldsboro, NC
This is what I did for 6 Years and loved it 2A6X2 - AEROSPACE GROUND EQUIPMENT-http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob2a6x2.htm
Siplified, you work on any equipment aircraft requier to run systems while on the ground. From heaters to 60,000 psi x3, hydralic power systems (used to jack up the plane, operate the landing gear flaps etc.)
Lots of travel if you like, (Equipment goes wherever aircraft go) and many of the things you will learn correspond to automotive applications, heavy transportation= Semi's, Trains, ships etc. And of course civilian aircraft.
Good luck!
Siplified, you work on any equipment aircraft requier to run systems while on the ground. From heaters to 60,000 psi x3, hydralic power systems (used to jack up the plane, operate the landing gear flaps etc.)
Lots of travel if you like, (Equipment goes wherever aircraft go) and many of the things you will learn correspond to automotive applications, heavy transportation= Semi's, Trains, ships etc. And of course civilian aircraft.
Good luck!
Tate
TECH Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 453
Likes: 14
From: Utah
I am an A-10 Crew Chief 2A373 I can tell you that I like my job most of the time but I work for the air force (lots of long shifts/weekends) If I could do it all over again I would pick a job that makes the air force work for me. Meaning hours that I can go to school and a job that I can make good money when I get out. Being maintenance, security forces...ect. high tempo jobs like that when you get off work you just want to chill because you are dead tired. So school after work is really hard. But best advice I can give you don't settle for what a recruiter tells you. Dont sighn a paper until you get the job you want. After you sighn that enlistment paper your *** belongs to the AF.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
nothing in maintenance.. you'll regret it.. i did it. Security forces sucks... For money when you get out, NDI- Non destructive inspection.. They make a **** ton when they get out. For badassness, TACP...
I missed ya buddy! How was the desert?? You back yet?
I was hoping you two would chime in there after I posted that.
Combat Control. You are assigned to a Special Tactics Unit and typically go help sieze enemy airfields and then are the ATC on the ground for aircraft to land and all that junk. You will also go to JTAC school so you can call in CAS as well.
I was hoping you two would chime in there after I posted that. Combat Control. You are assigned to a Special Tactics Unit and typically go help sieze enemy airfields and then are the ATC on the ground for aircraft to land and all that junk. You will also go to JTAC school so you can call in CAS as well.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Travis AFB, CA
Make sure you get a guranteed job! One that you really want!.....I came in wanting to get Fighter crew chief something that excites me!, but got stuck in propulsion.....it sucks, I have no interest in it and its boring. It will make your life alot easier, I just want to get out. I hate my job!
Oh yeah....dont sign for 6 either its not worth it, if you end up wanting to retrain or get out because you can do that sooner with a 4 year contract compared to a 6.
Oh yeah....dont sign for 6 either its not worth it, if you end up wanting to retrain or get out because you can do that sooner with a 4 year contract compared to a 6.
