Enlisting in the USAF

[Viggen 643]

As some of you may have read on facebook, I've been to the Air Force recruiter's office twice now. First time went bust because I didn't have my diploma yet. But now that I've got the diploma, I went back on Wednesday to try again. I took a practice ASVAB and talked to her about AFSCs. I know that everyone says that recruiters are liars but she seemed rather down to earth and shared some of her experiences.

 

I've just gotta get my Mitchell Achievement in CAP so I'll be an E3 out of basic and lose a couple pounds before MEPs. Hopefully that won't be too far away.

[macelena 1,070]

Congrats Viggy, good luck.

[Nesher 628]

Good luck man, stay safe

[+Dave 2,322]

Viggy

 

PM me.....we should talk.

[Slartibartfast 153]

Good luck...

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

[ShrikeHawk 384]

Great to hear, man.

[+streakeagle 867]

If they sounded like they were lying, they wouldn't be very good recruiters ;)

My Navy recruiter was very honest about almost everything, but he did distort his answers on my questions about the typical daily work schedule on a submarine. He gave the ideal, best case answers that made it sound like you could relax and enjoy the ride after putting in your 6 hours. He left out the drills, clean ups, training, qualifications, etc. that made it difficult to get the rest needed to stand a good sonar watch. Of course, as you get more senior, there were times when I was 6 hours on, 18 hours off, bored silly, and unable to sleep. Whereas, the days I went 9 hours on and 9 hours off made sure the time went by faster.

 

But of course, a lot of the USAF types are 9-to-5-ers with a nice base to live and work on

Edited June 13, 2011 by streakeagle

[+Veltro2k 6,351]

Vig being a 10 year USAF vet the first thing I want to say is Congrats on your decision , but I want to give you some good advice summed up in 2 words..."Guaranteed job" If you enlist make sure you go with a guaranteed job ( in writing) or you’ll end up a cook or heating and AC guy. You will hear many times the phrase "AF needs come first" I signed up as a MP and ended up a Nav and radio specialist on a F-15 because I scored high on the electronic part of my test. So instead of staying in sunny Texas for tech school I ended up in freezing loury AFB Colorado.

[serverandenforcer 33]

Do not go in "Open General". Do not go in for Security Forces. Do not go in for Services. Get a job that can get you extra pay... like flight pay, hazard duty pay, etc... A load master, crew chief, and boom operator are one of those jobs that can get you extra pay. EOD can get you hazard duty pay, but don't choose that if you like having your 10 digits on your hands. Intel is cool, being a MC for predator operations is cool, but you'll be getting paid as much as the next guy. If you're really crazy, and want something that puts you in the s**t, and only if you can be really physically fit (and I mean really physically fit) go TAC-P or PJ's. Heck, even combat weather can be a cool gig.

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

Or......... just join the U.S. Army. All jobs are cool and you also get to shoot at stuff!

[Stingray72 6]

Veltro, you got picked up to work on one of the finest aircraft in the world, it happened because you were smarter than most, and then yo complain about moving to CO where the air is actually clean and the are for real good looking ski bunnies to go with real powder to ski in? WTF lol, I woulda picked that over guarding the gate anywhere in TX. It sucks not getting your own way eh?

 

I would never pick security either, but here it is Viggen, the most important piece of advise, in my own humble opinion, and this is the first time I have ever given advise on here, and I will only do it again in the same circumstance....

 

Keep an open mind.

 

I don't know where you are from or what you like to do, but don't turn your nose up at anything because it does not sound appealing at first glance. When I first came in the Coast Guard 15 years ago they had dream sheets, and there was a block that said "least desired district", and the USCG wold try hard to send you everywhere else but there. Mine was 17, Alaska. In 2002 I was up for transfer and really wanted a buoy tender out of District 7 (Florida, Caribbean, etc...). My detailer said "Yo! You got a buoy boat, but it's in Alaska!!" I was devastated, had been in for 5 years, all of it underway, top priority due to my sea time, and this happens to me??? Let me tell you, the three years I spent in Alaska was the greatest tour of my career. I did and saw a lot, met a wonderful woman, learned how to work on engines with a friend, shot guns, shot animals, killed beers, blah blah blah. I had no idea when I got my orders for AK that I would be saying all of the nice things about the place I wanted to go least of all in the entire Coast Guard. This is what I mean by keep an open mind. Sometimes the places you want least are the greatest, and most times where you want to go most are your worst times, least that's how it seems to the sailors I talk to.

 

Good luck!!

 

~Rob

 

ps, if you end up at Dover AFB lemme know, next time I am home on the eastern shore of Maryland I'll head out there and we'll have a beer. It's like 40 minutes from my mom's house.

[JediMaster 451]

What? Don't go in for Services?!? Don't you mean "Force Support"? :)

 

Besides, what can be better than making people ID cards?!?

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

I can answer that. Making some other poor SOB die for HIS country.

[JediMaster 451]

But that won't give a retiree access to the BX or the gym or library!

[Viggen 643]

Figured I should make an update. First thanks for the kind words and support. Unfortunately, this summer turned out busier than I had anticipated, and I wasn't able to get anywhere with my enlistment. I'm disappointed because I had planned out a workout routine as well. Not to mention now I'll probably end up at basic in the summer. I'll be calling the recruiter tomorrow to schedule another appointment after a hike. Borrowed the "ASVAB for Dummies" book from a friend of mine and have been studying when I get the chance. Not really worried about that. I mean hell, I didn't study for the SATs and still scored well.

 

On the plus side I am scheduled to go for my Mitchel review board in September.

 

@ serverandenforcer, I know you told me two or three times to not do Security Forces but I still am interested in it. Seeing them at Cheyenne and talking to them at Schriever didn't help.

Edited August 30, 2011 by Viggen

[JediMaster 451]

Go for Logistics!! Moving crap from point A to point B, moving it back again, figuring out where the hell it went because it was SUPPOSED to go to point B but it sure as hell didn't go THERE, so where DID it go?

[krgf15 1]

If you have a thin skin, DO NOT be a fighter crew chief LOL. I had ten years on F-15E's at Elmendorf and Mountain Home, and now I am about to hit my 13 year mark. Unfortunately, I am on the inferior F-16 at Eielson as the Phase Dock Chief. Aircraft Maintenance is a very gratifying job, but it can be very hard work, with alot of long hours. But there are alot of other great jobs, just not the kind that make you perfect like being an F-15 crew chief does :)

[busdriver 35]

Unfortunately, I am on the inferior F-16

LOL...too funny.

[hotrodss 0]

Hey Viggen, congrats on future your enlistment to the Air Force! I hope things eventually workout for you. I spent 21yrs in (5ys active duty & 16yrs in the Air National Guard) I retired in Oct 2010, it was the best time of my life, I made great friends & went on some awesome deployments...I still miss being in & wearing the uniform. I was in a Logistics Sqd. (Transportation), I went in "open general" and like Veltro2k said " AF needs", so I was "assigned" to transportation. In JediMaster's reply...I've been in those situations TOO MANY times to count!! Stingray72 is right "keep any open mind". Anyway, I'll keep this short, no matter what job you do remember one thing when you fill out your "dream sheet" for assignments, go overseas!!! You'll love it!!! Have fun.

 

Shawn

[+Jug 99]

As some of you may have read on facebook, I've been to the Air Force recruiter's office twice now. First time went bust because I didn't have my diploma yet. But now that I've got the diploma, I went back on Wednesday to try again. I took a practice ASVAB and talked to her about AFSCs. I know that everyone says that recruiters are liars but she seemed rather down to earth and shared some of her experiences.

 

I've just gotta get my Mitchell Achievement in CAP so I'll be an E3 out of basic and lose a couple pounds before MEPs. Hopefully that won't be too far away.

Congratulations. You obviously have the determination, now all you have to do is keep a clear head and a focus on your mission. You serve at the pleasure of your country and the needs of the AF come first. It is all about attitude and professionalism. You will do well and a grateful nation thanks you in advance.

Edited September 5, 2011 by Jug

[+Veltro2k 6,351]

Veltro, you got picked up to work on one of the finest aircraft in the world, it happened because you were smarter than most, and then yo complain about moving to CO where the air is actually clean and the are for real good looking ski bunnies to go with real powder to ski in? WTF lol, I woulda picked that over guarding the gate anywhere in TX. It sucks not getting your own way eh?

 

I would never pick security either, but here it is Viggen, the most important piece of advise, in my own humble opinion, and this is the first time I have ever given advise on here, and I will only do it again in the same circumstance....

 

Keep an open mind.

 

I don't know where you are from or what you like to do, but don't turn your nose up at anything because it does not sound appealing at first glance. When I first came in the Coast Guard 15 years ago they had dream sheets, and there was a block that said "least desired district", and the USCG wold try hard to send you everywhere else but there. Mine was 17, Alaska. In 2002 I was up for transfer and really wanted a buoy tender out of District 7 (Florida, Caribbean, etc...). My detailer said "Yo! You got a buoy boat, but it's in Alaska!!" I was devastated, had been in for 5 years, all of it underway, top priority due to my sea time, and this happens to me??? Let me tell you, the three years I spent in Alaska was the greatest tour of my career. I did and saw a lot, met a wonderful woman, learned how to work on engines with a friend, shot guns, shot animals, killed beers, blah blah blah. I had no idea when I got my orders for AK that I would be saying all of the nice things about the place I wanted to go least of all in the entire Coast Guard. This is what I mean by keep an open mind. Sometimes the places you want least are the greatest, and most times where you want to go most are your worst times, least that's how it seems to the sailors I talk to.

 

Good luck!!

 

~Rob

 

ps, if you end up at Dover AFB lemme know, next time I am home on the eastern shore of Maryland I'll head out there and we'll have a beer. It's like 40 minutes from my mom's house.

Sting, I didnt mind working on the Eagle..loved it. Tech School started at the end of november...nearly froze the uevos off.Colorado is beautiful great air but cold as hell in the winter... Ski bunnies ? Just local ugly airwoman LOL..anyhoot in tech school all I was worried was passing each Block as they were called..studing till midnight preparing for those end of block exams,watching an episode of Dr, Who and hitting the bed for some more studing early in the morning before classes...we were 80 when we started and only 32 of us graduated ,,

Edited September 6, 2011 by Veltro2k