McNasty

iTrader: (1)

I'm trying to see exactly what I want to do, currently I work as a mechanic, was going to school for reactor operations for a nuclear plant, long story short I hated it and now at a cross road. Looking like air national guard or air force right now, still not 100 percent sure.

I'm curious about how well someone in aerospace propulsion and or maintenance would be able to carry it over into civilian life, workin at an air port, etc. I'd like to stay on the mechanics side, it's just what I enjoy, and from a little looking around, they tend to be paid fairly well. I'm not gonna brag about myself, but I feel more than confident about the asvab, and am comfortable working on a lot of other things.

Any tips pointers etc that I should be aware of or possibly other options? Thanks for the time.

bobbo489

iTrader: (1)

Ok, so Jet Mech or Crew Chief. Well if you want to not have to sit around the plane all day every day, dump toilets, change light bulbs, change windshield wipers, and vaccuum the plane then you want to do Jet Mech, however if you like those things then Crew Chief(they also get to do other things like change tires, do basic aircraft maintenance).
When the problems are part of other systems then the respective specialist(Jet Mech, E/E, GAC, Comm/Nav, EW, Hydro) is called out to come fix the problem.
In all honesty though, I would say that if you don't like being out in the elements all times of the day then you really don't want ot have anything to do with fixing the aircraft, I am currently aircraft mx(EW) and am finally training out of it.
As for transferring out to civilian jobs, after tech school you are just your core credits away from an Associates from the AF, once you are in and done with your upgrade training you can start working towards an A&P license(Airframe and Powerplant).

oange ss

iTrader: (50)

like most things in life, it is what you make of it. If you like turning wrenches and getting dirty while sweating or freezing your *** off then Acft MX is for you. The upside is you'll get to see the world, if you're in to that kind of stuff (when/where depends on the unit/mission you will be assigned). Good luck

Daddy

iTrader: (2)

Former 2A674 here. Loved it for about 7 years until I got to Little Rock. Hated it then. I retrained out into flying. Best job in the AF is flying. Period.

hawaiifiveoh

How much harder is it to get into a pilot seat then most jobs?

bobbo489

iTrader: (1)

To be a pilot, you have to be an officer, which means a 4 year degree first, or go to the academy. Then you join go through officers version of basic, and then go to training. If you want to fly but don't have a 4 year and won't be getting one then there are many other jobs. Check usmilitary.about.com and look at the afsc's that are 1A, mainly 1A0, 1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1A4, those are all flying jobs, then there is the ground flying, 1U0.

sneaky7980

iTrader: (15)

What didn't you like about LR? I'm looking at the new reserve unit as a crew chief.

And to the OP. What good/bad you might have as crew chief will vary greatly depending on airframe, location, management, mission, ISO (indoors) or flight line (outdoors predominatly) just to name a few factors. I've been a crew chief for 12 years now some of it has been awesome some was terrible. Lot of variables.

I've been active duty, active air national guard (AGR), a full time technician ( paid hourly) and just a guardsman (weekend warrior) as a flying crew chief and along with working in a hangar for a few years. Pros and cons.

Example;

Pros - I've been to the north and south poles many times. I've even had to chase penguins out from under my jet! Pretty damn cool i think.

Cons - I've been to the north and south poles many times. ITS ******* BRUTALLY COLD. Try taking your gloves off to do some safety wiring when its -80 out.


My point is like others have said, It is what it is and it's what you make off it.

So take all of this advice (mine included) lightly.

minytrker

iTrader: (13)

Former C-17 crew chief, here. Being a crew chief and in the military is about 95% of what YOU make of it. Your in control (well your attitude is) on how much you will enjoy any career in the military. Your air frame and where your stationed will dictate your schedule for the most part. Being on C-17's was a very cool plane to be on, as a FCC (flying crew chief) I got to the see the world and alot of thing 99% of the people never get to see. The downside to that was I gone all the time and lived out of a suitcase.

Pro's:
get to see results of your work (fix plane it flys mission)
get to work out side not stuck behind desk
possibility to see world
special ops, presidential support, lots cool opportunities out there

Cons:
work outside (all year long)
24/7 365 days a year operation (work holidays and different shifts)
lots of 12 hour shifts
lots of baby sitting planes
hard to go to school (can be)

I enjoyed it alot and got to see and do alot of cool things flying but alot of that was just being at the right place at the right time. Alot of things have also changed over the years so I dont know how it is now. I was in from 98-08. IMO there are much better careers to go into especially in the AF. I had a neighbor who worked 7-3 M-F had every weekend and holiday off. He got deployed one time in four years for 6 weeks. He worked in a AC office and never got help over or worked 12 hour shifts. We were both E5's making the same money but I worked every holiday, nights, and got held over all the time. He couldnt even comprehend my schedule. It all really boils down to what you want to do. If you want to turn wrenches and work outside and hate sitting at a desk doing paper work then my neighbors job would suck to you but he loved it.
Being a crew chief can help you for a future in the aviation industry BUT its all up to you, the AF doesnt require A&P. After I was a 7 level I was able to get my tickets to go take the test for my A&P just by getting a recommendation letter and taking my training records. If you have any specific questions shoot away.

Tracked350Z

But how much more awesome is it to see something like this. I'm deployed right now and we just installed an engine from Dyess last week. So ^ this guy built the motor < this guy just installed to kill the bad guys. Sad thing is, 4 days after we installed the engine it began to consume oil so it's headed back to dyess for another rebuild.

The job is a lot fun and rewarding but definitely has its perks. However, working on the line as jets (2a6x1) is a lot of fun. Lots of good people in the AF.

camarorokr

Haha that's awesome. I've been trying to get deployed ever since I got my 5 level but no luck yet. Are you from Dyess or Ellsworth?

McNasty

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all the replies guys, I'm fairly sure I want to get into the propulsion side of things, but I'll have to see how it goes when I get to that. It might sound crazy, but I'm really not too interested in traveling all over. Not that it would bother me, I'm just sayin workin in one area would be the ideal situation. Anyone else have any other suggestions to look into?

Tracked350Z

Ellsworth. Good luck, shouldn't be too hard.

usafws6

iTrader: (10)

dont go jet mech, theyre currently overmanned "here at travis anyway". which means you wont get a re-up bonus when the time comes. im a kc10 chief, 12s, holdovers, call ins, etc are a normal thing for us. ill be cross training away from planes next year.

Tracked350Z

Not to mention we're on the CJR right now, which means most people who are about to enter their window for reenlistment is probably going to be denied. The entire AF is overmanned with 2A6X1's.

barkerracing59

Ok here's my thing I am a 2A571 and right now it sucks there's a reason they are giving crew chiefs bonuses to try and get us to stay in the job. The job isn't hard at all its all the higher ups that make a easy as **** job and make ur life suck.

I have been on 135's in grand forks and at RAF Mildenhall, gotta say greatest plane and place ever, now on 17's (pos) and 5's (better than what you think) at ramstien and its not always ur attitude that dictates how the job is there's a lot of people that can and do make ur life shitty.

Do not go to a en route. I loved being a FCC on 135's and when ur on the road you are on the road not like the pre-madonna's (17). I was cut trained hydro and jets so crew chiefs its what u wanna do. Sorry bout being negative but I don't like what I am doing now basically gas and inspections and just getting **** on.