Military Hotrod Club - Soon to be Airman, What AFSC?

I've been talking to a recruiter and took my practice ASVAB today. I got a 74 with a pounding headache and also despite not having done anything with my brain in the past two years.
He was really impressed and made it sound like this is the highest he has seen in a long time. (No surprise, to be nice he is in one of the less fortunate areas of town.) He said this opens me up to anything except GeoSpatial..which is actually one of the things I'd like to do, so it looks like I'll be doing a lot of studying. As far as interest's go obviously since I'm on this forum mechanical-based jobs are all their (Aerospace propulsion, anything involving air-bound vehicle maintenance/ repair). I've also looked into the fabricating part of repairing the aircraft, but it doesn't really seem to be my cup of tea.
So I guess my real question here is, Airman, what is your AFSC and give a few reason of the good's and the bad's involved, I am joining and don't plan to get out anytime soon. Btw possibly seeing some combat, i.e. Aerial Gunner and Security Forces isn't out of the question either. I know I'll get the few who say "oh it's your choice and do what you want." but I'm just getting ideas.
Thank you for your service and time Airman and other Armed Forces Members.

If you're anything mechanical, you're fucked, Aerial Gunner almost no one gets, Security Forces you're fucked but it's easy as shit.

I'm Munitions and It doesn't take a genius to do it but the work place sucks, I'm also a Security Forces augmentee so I work with them quite often and I like it more than my own job.

The jobs people seem to love are the more "Operational" jobs, like In-flight refueler, loadmaster, AWACS, etc.

I've been in for 3 years, maybe some of the SSgts and above could give you their input.

EOD. Shoot me or EODguyJake a PM if you want to know more about it.

Operations are where its at....Loadmaster or Boom operator will get you in the door. Avoid AWACS or Joint Stars back-ender jobs.

If your in the AF...why not do something with airplanes?

That's my thought process anyway. I vote FE, Load, or Boomer.

Agree with ops jobs. Load master will take you all over the world and get you some extra pay. Real SF troops have access to some cool training and jobs. And yes its pretty easy stuff if your not the cerebral type.

stay away from 2a5x1....just sayin lol

My AFSC was 2a5x1....lol


But 5 weeks into BMT I was separated due to a past medical problem I had, that I later turned out shouldn't have caused me to be separated so I get to go back soon and do BMT from the start all over yay! Granted it was nothing hard but still...:jest:

Anyways, lots of great jobs listed some which are hard to get and have LONG waiting list and the AF is cutting back more and more each year so you should consider yourself lucky to get ANY job before basic while I was at BMT MOST people were in Open fields with no jobs yet. Though one guy in my flight was Aerial Gunner...I was jealous.

combat medic

I was 3E7X1, Fire Protection

They are on the constrained jobs list that came out, so are Security Forces

http://www.military.com/news/article/air-force-news/af-officials-announce-constrained-jobs.html

Im an MTI currently here at Lackland. Get a hold of me if you have any questions. I might be able to assist you.

Your best source of info will be to take these guys, and people around your area/home base, up on their offer to speak directly about the fields they've been in and around.

If my field (9S100) had anything entertaining to discuss, I would try selling it, but it's pretty education-heavy to get through training (electronics, physics, math, etc.), then a crap shoot for various assignments in our different specialties. I'll probably be doing some SF augmentee duty soon, too, but their overall experience is a bit more than our limited interaction.

The meat of the AF is what is mentioned above, with various plane-related jobs that you can get into. That's if you want something "old school AF" as folks outside see it, because there's a ton of career fields that don't directly interact with flying/flightline operations as well as the many that do.

As I said, the job-specific info each person can offer, is going to be your most solid source to help you decide... plus you'll want to have a list of a few jobs you're willing to sign a contract for, to help your chances of shipping to BMT in the near future with less waiting.

Good luck, and enjoy the experience if you come in.

haha...lol combat

As a 1A371(airborne mission system specialist) AMSS with 14 yrs active duty. I can say with 100% confidence look into any 1AX(3,4,6,7,8) specialty. It would make you an enlisted aviator which means 1. Your job is to fly on planes 2. You get flight pay starting at 150 a month all the way to 400 a month depending on how many years you have flying just for doing your job. I dont know of any maintainer, cop, or jet mechanic who gets paid extra for doing their job. For me that was a major factor. There are other career fields that recieve special/hazardous duty pay but I couldnt begin to list them as I am not that in the know. If I had to do it all over again I would try to be a boom operator or a loadmaster. Just for the simple fact they go more places around the world that any AWACS/J-STARS/or RJ will ever get you. Additionally a lot of the 1A carrer fields will either have a enlistment or re-enlistment bonus sometimes both. One thing to remeber if you sign up for somthing you dont like you can always retrain at the end of your first enlistment. If you want some more info about being an enlisted aviator let me know.

I almost forgot. DO NOT ENLIST UNLESS YOU HAVE A GARANTEED JOB!! The last thing you want is the Air Force to pick one for you.
because a 12hr shift standing behind a plane on the flight line with an M4 counting rivets fucking BLOWS!

I am not Military but I am an Aircraft Mechanic. I dont know how they do the scoring in the tests anymore but I would say reach as high as you can in a skill set that will get you a job when you are done with your enlistment. I will do you no good to work on Ejection Seats if you hope to be an Airline Mechanic in the future!

The other thing is to set a goal of being a Crew Chief so you get training on the WHOLE system instead of just say munitions!

Third, study your ass off and make use of the available training and most important DOCUMENT ALL OF YOUR TRAINING! I dont care if you pick up FOD on the ramp, document it that you did! It will help you big time when trying to get your service time signed off as experience!

Joe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLuhOhkUykM

I am not sure if this was made on your behalf but have a listen!

Joe

avoid the 2M0 field. unless you LOVE snow

haha...lol combat

Ignorance is bliss. :D

I was a 2A373 (F-15 Crew Chief). If you like doing mechanical work this is a great start. Due to my experice as a crew chief I was able to get my FAA Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic Certificate. Also I got my Associates Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology through the Community College of the Air Force. While doing all of this I went to college and recieved my Bachelors in Aviation Management. I am now in the Army (not recomended) and am a Maintenance Test Pilot on Blackhawk Helicopters. My point is that just entering into that AFSC opened up a whole world for me in aviation and I am very marketable after I leave the military. EOD, Boom Operator and stuff like that is cool but has no real place (or at least low demand) in the civilian world after your military career.

If you like mechanical stuff and want great training that is worthwile after the military something like and aircraft mechanic is a great choice. Just my $.02

My point is that just entering into that AFSC opened up a whole world for me in aviation and I am very marketable after I leave the military. EOD, Boom Operator and stuff like that is cool but has no real place (or at least low demand) in the civilian world after your military career.


Respectfully, you don't know what you're talking about in regards to EOD.

If I was enlisted, I'd be a Load or Boom fo sho.

I'm 1W0X1 - Weather. The tech school is one of the longer ones at 8 months and you have to go to a hub after that (sucks) but overall not a bad career field. It seems to be one of those career fields that attracts a smarter crowd so you'll definitely have to study when it comes time to test for that next stripe but even so we have one of the higher promotion rates in the Air Force.

If I could do it all over again though I'd probably go with a finance job. Monday through Friday and an 8 hour work day--sign me up. I like my job but it does suck never getting those family days or holidays when it seems like most of the other career fields do. The important thing is to pick something that interests you though.

I am a 2a571 and I got paid 150 a month for being a flying crew chief

As a 1A171 Flight Engineer I pull $350 a month on Flight Pay. Granted I have been flying for 14 years. Baby Booms and Loads start at $150 and go up from there. The money is in PerDiem and Tax related benefits.

Respectfully, you don't know what you're talking about in regards to EOD.

I do know what I am talking about. I said some are low demand jobs. I realize there are SWAT positions and various other government positions. How often do you train for EOD situations in the civilian sector compared to how many times you do the actual job? As and aircraft mechanic you actually DO your job on a daily basis and there are MANY cities with MANY airports and that creates a demand! Also many vietnam era mechanics are retiring which also drives up the demand. I was merely suggesting an AFSC for the young man based on probability of having a career field outside of the military. To each their own though. Also, don't get me wrong there is a need for every job in the military (well almost) and I am glad some one is usually there to fill it!

I Recently booked loadmaster and I can't wait. I ship for basic on Feb 28. Everyone I have talked to says to go for an aircrew position if you can get it.

I Recently booked loadmaster and I can't wait. I ship for basic on Feb 28. Everyone I have talked to says to go for an aircrew position if you can get it.

Thought you were already gone. Good Luck!

I'm not EOD but would have to agree that this is a skill that is in high demand outside the military.

I was an enlisted mechanic and saw many buddies jump to the airlines in the late 80's and then saw most of them get laid off. It's a good job once you get some seniority, but be ready for the lay-offs. I was an electrician who was assigned as a Crew Chief without being in that specific career field and also had the opportunity for an A&P.

My job in the AF falls in to "combat support". I'm a C.E. troop and I deal with water treatment, waste water treatment, natural gas, liquid fuels, and fire suppression system, 3E471.

I like my job why? Because as you can see my job doesn't deal mainly on ONE thing. When I retire from my mil career, I can virtually pick any of those things that I got trained on either for a water treatment plant operator or wastewater treatment plant operator, a plumber, a pipe fitter or a fire system/natural gas/backflow technician.

Medical group have some great opportunities also, there are always sick people out there.

If you like mechanical things, aside from fixing planes there is LRS. They do deal with from Fuel tanks to fixing GOVs like HMMVs.

AF doesn't only deal with just planes... :rolleyes:

Thought you were already gone. Good Luck!

I'm not EOD but would have to agree that this is a skill that is in high demand outside the military.

I was an enlisted mechanic and saw many buddies jump to the airlines in the late 80's and then saw most of them get laid off. It's a good job once you get some seniority, but be ready for the lay-offs. I was an electrician who was assigned as a Crew Chief without being in that specific career field and also had the opportunity for an A&P.

Not quite yet, but counting down the days. I'm ready to get it over with. Haha

stay away from the 2w1x1. it sucks

avoid the 2M0 field. unless you LOVE snow

I used to be a 2mo and you can only be based in the northren tier ie wyo, north d, Montana. If you are single and want to see and do things don't do it.

Every cop I know hates SF. I'd say boom or load would be what i would do if I had a chance to do it all over again.

Contracting can be a cake job and pays a crazy nice re-enlistment bonus. You can get out most times and re-hired to work in the same office but make more pay and not be an "airmen".

I'm in the Intel world and its not bad. There is a huge push for intel right now. They are increasing the ISR budget 30% while almost everyone else is cut. The females aren't bad here either.

A cake job that has great hours and lots of perks is anything in the med field. Medical you get holidays off. Lots of women and you work a 9-5 type job. I

've worked almost every holiday since i've been in and I work 12 hour days now with no brokes some days. As a 2m0 I would work 16 hour days some times no breaks, ohh and outside in the fucking frigid wyoming winter. Do your research just saying. Please don't sign up to a Cop.

I'm a 2F071 (Fuels) troop. We do everything from pump JP-8 onto aircraft, store fuel, clean fuel, do lab work, maintain our own refueling trucks (which I like) and then we also have cryo which deals with liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen. There's a lot that goes into it and doesn't really get a lot of recognition. It's easy and I love it and the deployments are abundant which I like. I'm up to 4 deployments now. The shops are big and you get to meet a lot of different people, its kinda like a big family and everyone looks out for one another.

Currently I'm a Training Instructor at Lackland, on a 4 year and 3 month controlled tour.

haha...lol combat

typical.

1C2
1C4
1T2
3E8

haha...lol combat

Yeah, we all know AF doesn't see combat at all, right. I mean PJs, Combat control, Security Forces and those planes/ helicopters are just for show.:eyes:

Hell, my supervisor E-6/TSgt is deploying with the Marines this summer to a FOB (can't tell you the approximate place OPSEC) Afghanistan. I volunteered to go but they wanted a grade of E6.:eyes:

I do know what I am talking about. I said some are low demand jobs. I realize there are SWAT positions and various other government positions. How often do you train for EOD situations in the civilian sector compared to how many times you do the actual job? As and aircraft mechanic you actually DO your job on a daily basis and there are MANY cities with MANY airports and that creates a demand! Also many vietnam era mechanics are retiring which also drives up the demand. I was merely suggesting an AFSC for the young man based on probability of having a career field outside of the military. To each their own though. Also, don't get me wrong there is a need for every job in the military (well almost) and I am glad some one is usually there to fill it!

Security Clearance and technical expertise opens many doors with federal jobs. UXO work is in high demand in and outside the US. GS/Contract work on literally every base, Police Dept Bomb Squads are almost always hiring.

Mathematically speaking we have much better chances of getting hired due to our very small numbers vs the demand for our qualifications. Aircraft MX folks are literally a dime a dozen.

I'm not trying to push EOD on the OP, just wanted to clear up a bit of mis-information.

im 2a5x1 also, stay away from it. although i love my job compared to ALS!!!!! my advice would be CE or OPS like others have said already. Im really liking the AF right now they decided it was cool if i put on Ssgt before my 4 year mark. lol.

I'm in 1C7x1, Airfield Management. It's a cake job. We inspect the entire airfield, file flight plans, monitor air traffic in and out of the base. Half desk job, half outside job. It's a great job but I've been on night shift for a long time where you work alone and nothing whatsoever is going on. I'm bored as hell, but I watch a lot of TV and surf tech a lot :)

Did 8 yrs as ground radar repair...believe it is a 2D field now. I loved it, got to learn electronics, work with cool test and repair equipment, and still got to do some decent wrenching on equipment. Then I got cross trained...rather than the AF pick me a job based on ASVAB scores I got a hold of the enlisted classification guide and looked up all the jobs and read up about em.

Ops had some cool stuff...maint well I did that already...medical/legal/contracting didnt seem interesting to me...

I ended up picking electronic intel (1N2X1)..found a field that fit my interest, got to deploy, never did the same job twice and did 14 yrs of that stuff!

Pick a job based on what you like, if you don't like it cross-train. Never pick a job just based on bonus pay...if $ is the only reason you are there you might not be happy when the $ is gone.

And oh yeah...contracting...damn good money on the outside, but I'll stick with intel on the outside for now

some guy who retired last december

Tough question.

First things first, do you have a family? (wife, kids etc?) Reason I ask is because the AFSC's are all split into "bands". What used to be AEFs or "buckets". A,B,C and D . My career field is 2T370 (2T351) Vehicle Maintenance. We are unfortunately in D band. 6 months deployed, 1 year home station. That 1 year or "1 year" home station does NOT include ANY extra predeployment training etc. So if you going on a 6 (or longer) deployemnt and theres 5 wks training before hand your time away from the wifey, gf, car whatever is really more like 7+ months. Also keeping in mind that just cause you hit that 180 day mark or however long DOES NOT mean you leave that next day! lol trust me!

Anyways now with ROE's outta the way, theres alot of good AFSCs to get into that'll only open more doors outside of the military. My AFSC, Vehicle maintenance (VM) like alot of jobs is a thankless kinda job. I describe it to others like, "VM; We Un-fuck that which has been fucked" People REALLY don't give a shit about their organizations vehicles/trucks/equipment. Not gunna single anyone out, just kinda accross the board...If you like playing with your car and hot rods as a hobby STAY AWAY! It'll only burn you out and drive you away (no pun intended). If you ABSOLUTELY LOVE turning wrenches, trouble shooting schematics, getting dirty, putting coveralls, working on Ford/Navistar International 6.0 turbo diesels and HATE even the remote thought of a desk job and the likes of check us out.

If I could do it all over again, I think I would have gone into Metals Tech. Very cool! They have a bad ass shop at Charleston, all kinds of CRAZY stuff and CNC machines etc. Its a VERY good career to be in for the post-military life.

Just my $.02


USAF VMX: We take it in the ass, so YOU don't have to! :nono:

I'm a 3S0-Personnel so I have the typical day job but I am thinking I'm going to retrain if I re-enlist next year. Best decision I ever made going into the AF my only issue is being Mil to Mil and assignments = you get screwed.

Other then that...great oppertunity.

if you go vm, stay away from main shop style vehicles, fire truck is where its at, i came in as a refueling maints vm troop, now im running a fire truck shop and love it, waiting on refueling to come back to vm, i turn wrenches and have built a project vehicle at every base ive been to, deployments just make getting the big costly parts faster for me, over seas is where its at, been in england for a long time now

Stay away from aircraft mechanic on fighters (2A3). That is unless you like to work 60+ hours a week and a constant deployment schedule. Plus side to that coin is you will never work with better people in your life.

http://signatures.myarmedforces.com/images/14/33475/military_signature.png (http://www.myarmedforces.com)

Yeah, we all know AF doesn't see combat at all, right. I mean PJs, Combat control, Security Forces and those planes/ helicopters are just for show.:eyes:

Hell, my supervisor E-6/TSgt is deploying with the Marines this summer to a FOB (can't tell you the approximate place OPSEC) Afghanistan. I volunteered to go but they wanted a grade of E6.:eyes:

I think your(USAF) and our(USMC) idea of "combat" varies slightly...and we have our own planes and helicopters.

As for your TSgt, he should feel honored at the opportunity to tag along. Deploying with Marines to a FOB in Afghanistan isn't a big deal, to us.

I would look into contracting 6C. Also you might want to check out the re-enlistment bonus for that AFSC and others ones. If your ASVAB is high; find an area that will pay for your skills after you get out or retire from the Air Force. I did my 20 with areas in operational and support. Always plan for the future. Most of important of all, finish your education when you are serving. Good Luck

Stay away from 2A5X1. It's one step above being an indentured servant at times. lol.

I used to be a 2mo and you can only be based in the northren tier ie wyo, north d, Montana. If you are single and want to see and do things don't do it.

Every cop I know hates SF. I'd say boom or load would be what i would do if I had a chance to do it all over again.

Contracting can be a cake job and pays a crazy nice re-enlistment bonus. You can get out most times and re-hired to work in the same office but make more pay and not be an "airmen".

I'm in the Intel world and its not bad. There is a huge push for intel right now. They are increasing the ISR budget 30% while almost everyone else is cut. The females aren't bad here either.

A cake job that has great hours and lots of perks is anything in the med field. Medical you get holidays off. Lots of women and you work a 9-5 type job. I

've worked almost every holiday since i've been in and I work 12 hour days now with no brokes some days. As a 2m0 I would work 16 hour days some times no breaks, ohh and outside in the fucking frigid wyoming winter. Do your research just saying. Please don't sign up to a Cop.

Well I didn't make it to the last page before I saw this so please forgive me if someone else has already chimed in.

I am gonna go out on a limb and say I am probably the only 6C0X1(contracting) on this forum (not many of us AF wide). While it is true that our re-enlistment bonus is the best in the military (yes that includes EOD, pararescue, tacp, and all the other hard charger jobs) it is a very demanding career field. I saw someone list tempo bands a-d but we are tempo band e. Meaning we deploy for 6 months and are home for 6 months. I have been deployed to Afghanistan and been informed I was going to iraq on the next cycle before I even got half way through. Part of the reason for our large bonus is the fact that we are so under-manned. It is not uncommon to be carrying the workload of 5 people at any given time.

Don't want to ramble too much about it here but if you have any questions, let me know. I love my job and wouldn't want to do anything else in the military.

Dirte

Hope I didn't sound like a jerk, that wasn't my intent.

Dirte

2A6x6 here, Elec/Envir Aircraft Tech. !

My job is Aerospace Propulsion think its 2a6x1. Im fresh out of tech school so i cant really say if its good or not but i think im going to enjoy it. Im here in idaho now on rec. duty but ill be heading to Charelston SC this saturday.

Im an MTI currently here at Lackland. Get a hold of me if you have any questions. I might be able to assist you.

Im about 90% sure i seen your car while i was at basic. Great looking car for sure.

Charleston AFB = C17's !

My job is Aerospace Propulsion think its 2a6x1. Im fresh out of tech school so i cant really say if its good or not but i think im going to enjoy it. Im here in idaho now on rec. duty but ill be heading to Charelston SC this saturday.



Im about 90% sure i seen your car while i was at basic. Great looking car for sure.


Charleston is AWESOME! I absolutely LOVE it there. Bout to leave the sanbox myself, what kinda car you drive? Prob see ya around the base. Check out Carolinahorsepower.com covering the carolinas....

I am a 1A371 as well... If you can, stay the hell away from anything that will pull you toward AWACS!!! I don't know anyone that is in it that still enjoys it. I am working on retraining to be a loady (1A2X1) as we speak. Just my .02

to be honest with you, if you want to be around and work on and in aircraft, Air Force is not your best bet, surprisingly enough. The AF is a huge organization and very few of them actually have little to do with birds in flight. Marine Corps is the easiest to get an aviation job (mechanic, flight crew, ect). After that is Navy of all things. Army has the ability to go with helicopters, but that the jobs come and go pretty quickly. I would get a copy of Kaplan ASVAB study guide (sounds like you have been out of HS or college for several years) and try and push your score into the 80s or 90s. The higher the score, the more opportunties as far as jobs go. That is assuming that the jobs are open, everything is very tight right now for all the services, with many of the kids waiting 6 months to a year to go to boot camp because we are that back logged. That is also assuming that you do not get disqualified at MEPS (medical is the big one, it would blow your mind some of the minor stuff or things you have never even heard of that ends it for kids trying to get in).
Now if you just like the idea of the air force, that it is kind of chill and you can get paid and wear a uniform, then go for it - you will have a blast. If you are looking for specific challenges and job fields, not the best route.

Stay away from aircraft mechanic on fighters (2A3). That is unless you like to work 60+ hours a week and a constant deployment schedule. Plus side to that coin is you will never work with better people in your life.]

My son is planning on joining in the AC area because he wants to fly. His big thing is now he want to be an aerial gunner. Me, being retired Army and in a few special jobs, I didn't see too many AC130's covering our asses.

But he wants to get some enlisted experience and more hands on of what he wants to fly before he decides if it's truly for him. He'll be doind college this summer, then his senior year in HS next year, he'll be continuing college courses the earn an associates before joining.

BTW, Kalipitt, he wants to go to Hill AFB. He was born in Layton while I was stationed in Korea. My Mother-in-law lives in SLC.

Damn, forgot I even posted this. I guess this is kind of an update.
Long story short, took my ASVAB and did all sorts of packets for the AF, then he finally weighed me in and told me I would need to lose 25-30 lbs just to contract. Now, I'm 6'5" and not a fat guy at all, I was 3rd team all state in two sports, so that gives you an idea of my build. About a year ago I looked into the Marines and didn't sign up for family issues at the time, but ended up calling up my old Marine Corps recruiter and got signed up with them. I got an MOS I'll love ( 0231 Intel Analyst) and that can parlay into the civil world. Thanks for all the posts guys and sorry about no response, my laptop broke and iPhones are a bitch to use on here sometimes.

As a 1A371(airborne mission system specialist) AMSS with 14 yrs active duty. I can say with 100% confidence look into any 1AX(3,4,6,7,8) specialty. It would make you an enlisted aviator which means 1. Your job is to fly on planes 2. You get flight pay starting at 150 a month all the way to 400 a month depending on how many years you have flying just for doing your job. I dont know of any maintainer, cop, or jet mechanic who gets paid extra for doing their job. For me that was a major factor. There are other career fields that recieve special/hazardous duty pay but I couldnt begin to list them as I am not that in the know. If I had to do it all over again I would try to be a boom operator or a loadmaster. Just for the simple fact they go more places around the world that any AWACS/J-STARS/or RJ will ever get you. Additionally a lot of the 1A carrer fields will either have a enlistment or re-enlistment bonus sometimes both. One thing to remeber if you sign up for somthing you dont like you can always retrain at the end of your first enlistment. If you want some more info about being an enlisted aviator let me know.

I almost forgot. DO NOT ENLIST UNLESS YOU HAVE A GARANTEED JOB!! The last thing you want is the Air Force to pick one for you.
because a 12hr shift standing behind a plane on the flight line with an M4 counting rivets fucking BLOWS!

if you get one thing from all this, read the bold above again.

Not going to read all the posts. But i went open mechanical and landed a job i actually wanred before basic. I am non destructive inspection (NDI). Its a fun job with a great tech school location (pensacola, fl). Also makes good money civilian side. If you got any questions feel free to hit me up.