Careers in the US Air Force

©2006 Institute for Career Research

BEYOND PILOTS, A RANGE OF OVER 150 CAREER SPECIALTIES FROM ENGINEERING TO COMMUNICATIONS, AVIONICS TO BAND

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Enlisted personnel: $25,000 to $65,000 annually Officers: $40,000 to $180,000 Physically fit Strongly motivated Ready to take risks Think quickly & react calmly Able to take direction & orders Able to react & respond on a moment's notice

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Support & handle much of the day-to-day operations Oversee many of the base's functions, such as ordering & allocation of supplies

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Keep records for vehicle & aircraft logs & maintenance

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Specialize in aircraft systems

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Handle routine air transportation duties Transport troops & material goods to other bases or combat zones

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Oversee the operations of all technical aspects of base life

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High school diploma or equivalent Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp.(JROTC) Program Reserve Officer Training Corp.(ROTC) Program Officer Training School Air Force Academy

Benifits Training Promotions Travel Job security Retirement packages

Pay scale Strict regulations Must be physically fit Air Force will also dictate where you live Air Force requires you to commit to specific lengths of duty You can be called out of regular duties to support

war efforts at anytime ●

All over the world

The image many people have of the US Air Force is one of valiant pilots using high-tech aircraft to protect the US in times of war and to enforce peacekeeping duties in times of accord. That's not an inaccurate picture of today's Air Force, but it is a far from complete picture. For every pilot taking to the skies in an space-age jet, there are thousands of people managing every detail that leads to the pilot's takeoff, and these people are working all over the world to keep Air Force bases running smoothly and efficiently. The Air Force provides a broad range of opportunities, everything from administrative to training to medical to engineering types of careers, with the majority of these going to people who will never need to enter an airplane's cockpit. Many people do not realize the wide variety of skills necessary to manage such a complex operation, and consequently they may be missing out on a worthwhile career path. The Air Force offers positions for service through enlistment or through officer's programs, as well as civilian roles. People looking for work that will allow them to advance in their careers and continue their education would do well to consider opportunities offered by the Air Force, which offers a number of advancement possibilities and continuous training. The Air Force also offers excellent benefits and retirement programs, along with skills that transfer well into the private sector. While a number of people sign up for the Air Force as a temporary stage in their career path (to help finance further education or to take a break between high school and college), there are many thousands of people who have made work in the Air Force their life's career. The well-defined career roles, strategies for advancement and disciplined environment are appealing to them, and they feel their skills are being used in a highly productive, respected manner. The Air Force may not be for everyone, and this report will examine both the positive and unattractive features of such a career. But like any other career, you do not have to sign up for a lifetime commitment at the outset, but can take a few years to determine if you and the Air Force are indeed a good long-term partnership. Whatever you decide, you will have gained valuable experience and expertise in your chosen field while learning more about how this organization works overall. The Air Force is different than the civilian world - there are clearly defined paths to advancement, and the military hierarchy and discipline may not suit everyone. But you may find yourself working with some of the best people in your field with hands-on opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge base. Joining the Air Force may be just what you need to develop a lifetime career in which your ability to succeed is limited only by your willingness to work hard and continue learning. Reading this career guide carefully will give you a broad overview of the opportunities, requirements, and pros and cons of such a career. You Can Start Exploring This Career Today It's never too soon to start pursuing a career with the Air Force. If you're in high school, talk to your school's guidance or career counselor and consider taking a personality inventory, which is designed to help you narrow down the types of work best suited for you. Because there is a broad range of opportunities, being able to concentrate on a few good choices rather than all of the options will save you time and frustration. The next step would be to talk to someone in the Air Force. Perhaps you know someone currently working in an Air Force position; that would be a good resource to start with. If there is a recruiting office near you, make an appointment to talk about the different opportunities and what it would take for you to build a successful career in the Air Force. The recruiting station will be staffed with current Air Force employees, who can help answer your questions and concerns. They will also, along with your guidance counselor, be able to recommend the best way to use your high school curriculum or planned college curriculum to advance your career. Explore the extensive information available on the Air Force Internet site, which gives detailed information on

different bases, job opportunities, and potential for growth. It's important to remember that entry level Air Force staff, whether enlisted or officer, do not always get their first choice of base assignments, so do not set your heart on a specific location. You will be assigned based on your skills and experience more than your preference for assignment. Don't neglect your schoolwork; education is an important function of Air Force careers, especially for long-term employees. Those interested in promotions or officer schools should consider becoming involved in extracurricular activities that offer leadership roles, such as student body government or heading committees or organizations. Being able to demonstrate leadership capabilities will help you pursue the kind of career you will want. Finally, don't neglect your physical fitness. Whatever type of work you take on with the Air Force, you will be expected to be in good physical shape, even if your work keeps you behind a desk all day. Start now with a training program to develop your strength and stamina. Of the military organizations in the US, the Air Force is relatively new. Unlike the Army and Navy, which have been in existence for over 200 years, the Air Force was not officially created until 1947. Its roots reach only to the beginning of the 20th century, when Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first fully functional airplane. As early as the Civil War, hot air balloons had been used in combat, but their lack of control and speed made them unreliable and easy targets. It wasn't until 1907 that the Aeronautical Division of the Signal Corps was established to develop research and training in the area of airplanes. Initially the development of aircraft for military purposes was slow to gain approval and attention. When the US joined World War I in 1917, the Signal Corps tried urgently to assemble thousands of airplanes to work with France against Germany, but by the time the war ended in 1918, only 740 planes had been built, and most of those had been built in Europe, not the US. Recognizing that the Signal Corps was unable to handle the massive task of building a strong military aviation fleet, the government dissolved the Signal Corps and created in its place an Air Service with two components: one branch was civilian, with the primary responsibility of working with manufacturers of airplanes, and the other a military organization to train potential pilots. As its prototype, the US looked to Britain's Royal Air Force, which had demonstrated that aircraft could indeed be used in military applications with success. However, while the RAF had already been created as a military service separate from Britain's Army and Navy, the US was slower to make that distinction. The Air Service was initially a branch of the Army. Its mission was to serve whatever aviation needs the Army had during wartime. Supporters of a separate Air Force, which would have greater bombing capacity and independent control and command (like that of the RAF), fought against Army factions which wanted to keep the Air Service strictly as a support organization. During the 1930s, more support developed for building a combat air force, initially under Army authority. But as World War II began to appear on the European horizon, air combat was clearly to become much more significant than it had been in World War I. Even before the US involvement in the new conflict, reports from Europe stressed the importance of aircraft and their superior striking ability. The RAF was the leader of the Allied air group and growing rapidly, and US military personnel began to expand efforts to grow their own air corps. Under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur, the fledgling US air combat units moved into the Pacific region to counter Japanese attacks against Pearl Harbor. The strength of the American air units eventually overpowered the Japanese, giving pro-Air Force factions in the military the ammunition they needed to push for a separate military branch after the War. The overall War Department opposed such a move, preferring to combine all military operations together in a single unit run by the War Department, but the Navy in particular fought such a grouping, resulting in the 1947 National Security Act, which kept the military branches separate and formally recognized the Air Force. The next phase of growth was stalled by lack of funds in post-War America, causing a competition for prominence and appropriations with the Navy, which was also interested in developing an air combat unit. But as the prosperous 1950s arrived, more funding allowed both branches to expand their aircraft numbers and bases. While bombers were the airplane of the future in post-World War II America, the increasing Cold War tensions with Russia led to the Air Force development of ballistic missiles. By 1960, the Air Force was the leader in

bombing and land-based missile capabilities, with the Navy handling submarine-based missiles for the complete triad of land, air and sea battles. The US involvement in Vietnam and Korea saw more development of high-tech aircraft. Following those wars, the Air Force set as its goal the development of a combat-ready unit. When the Selective Service (draft) was ended in 1973, the Air Force, and the other military branches, had to change recruitment tactics to attract an all-volunteer force. Reserve forces were strengthened, and women were more actively recruited to keep combat-readiness at necessary levels. During the 1960s and early 1970s, the Air Force was an important personnel source for NASA. The space agency needed highly trained pilots who were not only able to fly planes but able to endure a variety of physically grueling missions in experimental air and spacecraft. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 brought another change to the focus of the Air Force. Its peacekeeping status had been mostly a Cold War function, but the breakup of the Russian states and the dissipation of those Cold War threats brought a new reality to the Air Force. Initially some areas were downsized, as nuclear forces were reduced. Reducing both budget and numbers of troops, the Air Force in 1992 reorganized into two distinct branches: the Air Combat Command and the Air Mobility Command. The first has a military and war focus, and the other works to support troops and handle airlift missions of all kinds. During the early 1990s, other parts of the world began to gain attention from military quarters. In 1991, events in the Persian Gulf, specifically Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, brought a US response, including Air Force participation that was deemed highly successful. In 1992, actions in Bosnia were also successful. The terrorist attacks of September 2001 drew the Air Force into Afghanistan, along with the US ally, Britain's RAF. Moving from Cold War preparedness into more active status is a direction that will likely continue for the foreseeable future.

The air force encompasses over 150 career paths for both enlisted and officer personnel. With bases around the world and a wide variety of specialties, the demand for skills is far-ranging. For anyone who thinks the Air Force is only for pilots, this may come as a surprise. While flight skills and related occupations are a core service of the Air Force, it's by no means the only type of career available. An overview of the types of careers is provided here, but there are many subgroups and specialties available as well. If you don't see your specific career interest, but see a related category, contact an Air Force recruiting office. It's likely that your interests match a career path in one area or another. Enlisted Enlisted personnel provide the support and handle much of the day-to-day operations of Air Force bases. Soldiers during wartime, their roles are integral to the smooth functioning of the bases during times of peace. Many enlisted careers start as apprenticeships, offering on-the-job training in highly specialized or technical fields. Should enlisted personnel find a career in which they excel, they may have the option of entering officer's training to develop a leadership role in that specialty. Administrative If administrative duties sound like those of an executive secretary, then you're only seeing part of the Air Force picture. Certainly secretarial functions are part of this category, including the management of paperwork and files. Administrative positions will also oversee many of the base's functions, including ordering and allocation of supplies, keeping records for vehicle and aircraft logs and maintenance, management of personnel records and schedules, preparing schedules for training and aircraft flights, accounting and budgeting, oversight of radio, television and satellite communications, mail service, human resources, chaplain duties, even Air Force band membership data. Personnel in these areas are responsible for keeping records at every level, noting every detail of life and work on base. Operations/Support Those working in operations and support duties are critical to the ongoing success of every Air Force base, and this category has a large number of career opportunities in a wide variety of functions. Included are the people responsible for maintaining and repairing aircraft, vehicles and spacecraft (mechanics), installing and maintaining communications cables and development of satellites, maintaining missiles and missile sites, and maintenance and disposal of munitions.

People in operations and support also train and teach apprentices in the finer points of working with survival equipment and techniques, handling of explosives and liquid fuels. Besides military applications, operations and support personnel also train in the areas of installing and maintaining electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration power systems and utilities. They also work on roads, pavement and construction projects. Apprenticeships are also available for beginning work in biomedical equipment management, aeromedical training (for medical personnel on board flights), and physical therapy training. Additional career paths include: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Apprenticeships in disaster preparedness Health services management Public affairs and relations Mental and dietary health practices Medical laboratory training Dental work Financial management

Operations personnel on air bases also have the opportunity to apprentice in all areas of airport management, including air traffic control, in-flight refueling, airborne battle management, and data and radar reading capabilities, as an introduction to intelligence work. Systems The Air Force is highly reliant on technology to keep its missions running. Apprentices in the systems areas will find themselves working on some of the most advanced systems in the world, everything from computers to electronics to satellites to radar. Careers in this area include: ● Specializing in aircraft systems, both engines and onboard computers ● ● ● ● ●

Weather systems to study and predict weather trends Avionics sensors and guidance systems Radar and radio communications systems Computer, imagery and telephone systems All aircraft, spacecraft and weapons-related systems

Officers Enlisted personnel work under the management and direction of Air Force officers, who have advanced education and training in specialized skills and management techniques. They develop base policies and implement orders, overseeing the base and its personnel to make sure every aspect of base life is running as smoothly and safely as possible. Officers would be comparable to management and executives in the private sector. Flight Flight officers are pilots and navigators. That sounds simple enough, but there are a variety of pilots within the Air Force, each with a specialty and focus. Pilots include: ● Generalists, who handle routine air transportation duties ● ● ● ● ●

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Airlift pilots, who transport troops and material goods to other bases or combat zones Bomber pilots, who handle missions involving the dropping of bombs Fighter pilots, who handle in-air combat Helicopter pilots Experimental (or test) pilots, who have the risky assignment of flying new aircraft that may be hazardous to check its performance Trainer pilots, who handle in-flight training of new pilots Reconnaissance and intelligence pilots, who handle highly secretive information-gathering flights

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Tanker pilots, who handle in-flight refueling

Navigators are flight officers who monitor the plane's bearings, plot courses, report deviations, and assist the pilot in all aircraft functions. Together the pilot and navigator are responsible for the overall performance of the aircraft and all related reports. They handle preflight checklists and report any problems to the relevant personnel. Working with NASA, flight officers may also train to become astronauts, working with the space program in its ongoing exploration of space. Technical Technical officers oversee the operations of all technical aspects of base life. Engineers may oversee the design, construction and ongoing maintenance and refurbishment of all base buildings, roads, utilities, technical and computer systems and infrastructure. Communications officers oversee the vast communications systems, from radio and television to satellites and radar. Scientists in a variety of disciplines, both technical and medical, conduct research to expand knowledge and solve known problems. Maintenance officers are responsible for the highly specialized aircraft maintenance and repair as well as munitions and missile maintenance, including space-related craft and weaponry. Weather officers oversee the weather prediction and study centers, an important role in an industry so dependent on weather for successful missions. Non-Technical Non-technical officers oversee the operations of base operations not directly related to technical systems. These officers are the managers of the enlisted administrative staff, and they manage all logistic matters on base. These include: ● Ordering and allocation of goods and personnel Organization of transportation and resources ● Recruitment ● Mission support Human resources development, implementation and ongoing management (such as benefits policies) Intelligence officers, who oversee the highly sensitive intelligence matters Foreign policy, including foreign base operation and local liaisons ●

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Air battle and management officers, who work with pilots and troops to plan and deliver air battle plans. Specialty Specialty officers are those whose specialized, non-technical education provides expertise in areas critical during times of both war and peace. The largest part of this group is made up of healthcare providers, with medical officers ranging from family physicians to specialists like pediatricians, neurologists, geneticists and a variety of surgeons. Medical staff may be assigned to a base for general medical care, or they may be working in research units to develop more extensive knowledge and possible advances in medical care. They may also be assigned to combat units, able to assist with combat injuries and illnesses. Mental health is a growing area in the Air Force, with psychologists, social workers and mental health advocates becoming standard parts of base healthcare. Dental care is included in this area as well, with both general dentists and specialists such as orthodontists covering a wide range of needs. Non-medical specialties include combat officers, who strategize plans for combat missions and logistics officers, who oversee acquisitions and personnel matters.

Financial officers oversee budgetary and accounting offices and contracting matters (in conjunction with the logistics officer). Chaplains oversee religious services and programs on base. Public affairs officers act as a liaison between the Air Force and the civilian community, both domestically and internationally. The Judge Advocate officer is a legal function, offering lawyers an officer role while continuing to practice law on behalf of the Air Force and its personnel. Special Investigations officers handle internal Air Force investigations as a method of checks and balances. The band officers are members of the renowned Air Force Band, and they are responsible for managing the band's schedule of rehearsals and performances, the logistics involved in meeting their schedules, and establishing policies and directions for the band.

The air force has bases all over the world. Where you will work will depend on what your specialty is, and to some degree, on what your preference is. In the early part of your Air Force career, you will be assigned wherever you are needed, with your preference playing little part in those choices. Long term Air Force employees have more input and choice, but the final decision will rest with your commander. What that means is that you may work anywhere from Alaska to Texas, or from Germany to Panama to Japan. You may live in hot, humid climates, or frozen, frigid areas. You may work in remote areas far from major cities, or you may be near bustling urban centers. The local landscape may be spectacularly beautiful, or it may be flat and featureless. English may be the primary language, or you may be one of the few people speaking it. The civilian population may welcome the American presence, or they may resent our intrusion. The bases may be large and high-tech, or they may be older and smaller with a higher priority on keeping a minimum military presence intact than in developing technological capabilities. In other words, there are wide ranging opportunities for places to work within the Air Force. For some in the early stages of a career, the likelihood is that you will experience a wide variety of settings, as the Air Force has a strong record of moving people from base to base. Some people move frequently (even more than once per year), while some stay on the same base over several years. Your skills and promotions will dictate your destinations. Within base assignments, you may enjoy the climate-controlled comfort of working in office buildings, research labs, medical facilities, NASA complexes, or you may be exposed to the elements by working outside at air fields. Pilots on combat missions may be sent to remote military locations with minimal amenities, and they may be flying under all conditions - snow, rain and wind - not to mention facing enemy aircraft. Working abroad and interacting with the local population can provide an interesting and stimulating cultural exchange, but it can also be uncomfortable, depending on the politics of the time and place. In some international areas, Air Force bases are welcomed as a sign of safety and prosperity (as military families bring money into the local economy both through living expenses and tourism), but in others, they are not as welcome, and local residents may be unhappy or hostile about the Air Force population in their midst. Opportunities to work in interesting locales do exist within the Air Force, as long as you understand that patience, hard work and seniority are necessary to achieve your personal preferences. In some cases, your highly specialized skills may prevent you from working at bases you'd prefer, simply because those skills are not required there. Being open to alternatives and not setting your heart on specific locations is the best approach to planning your Air Force career.

I Am a Technical Officer in Engineering "I come from a large family, not very well off financially, and I desperately wanted to be one of the first in my family to go to college. I've always had an aptitude for technical things, and I excelled in science and computer classes in high school. I wanted to become a mechanical engineer, but the costs of college were intimidating. With student loans, I felt I'd be in debt forever, or be forced to make job choices based on what I'd earn rather than on what I would do. But it was either seek out loans or not go, as far as I could tell, so I signed on the dotted line and started my freshman year. Not long after school started, I started dating a guy who was a member of the Air Force ROTC. I used to tease him about his haircut! But as he explained the benefits of ROTC to me, I found it very interesting. He still had to take out student loans, but not nearly as much as I did, and he was guaranteed a job with the Air Force right out of college. He wanted to become a pilot and felt that the Air Force was his best opportunity. I'd never thought about joining the military, but as I explored the possibility, it seemed more and more exciting and realistic. As an engineer, there were a number of avenues I could travel with the Air Force, and not only would I receive tuition assistance during undergraduate studies, I could potentially work on a master's degree with assistance later. My dad was a veteran (Navy), and I knew he would be surprised but pleased with my choice. After talking to a female ROTC recruiter, who convinced me that the Air Force was a good career choice for a female engineer, I took the qualifying written and physical tests. Fortunately, I've always been in good physical health, and I'd been on the track team in high school, so the required ROTC physical training wasn't quite as grueling for me as it was for some of the other cadets. I can't say I loved the early morning regime of ROTC (up at 5 a.m. for drills before class), but the commitment was a small price. Initially, I thought I'd serve my mandatory four years, then rejoin the private sector. When I graduated (with honors), I'd hoped to get an assignment at a base somewhere warm and sunny. Imagine my shock when I was assigned to Minot, North Dakota! Not exactly a beach assignment. To be honest, at first I was really upset about it. But once I got there and got to work, I loved my job. The people were friendly, the work was exactly what I'd hoped I'd be doing with my engineering degree, and I was able to enroll in a master's program in engineering in Grand Forks, commuting on weekends to work on my degree. I kept in touch with some of my engineering friends from college who'd gone on to work for private companies, and I found that the work the Air Force gave me was much more advanced than they were getting. I was developing and implementing plans for rebuilding part of the base while my friends were basically watching more experienced engineers work. I loved the responsibility, even though it was stressful at times. The boyfriend from college was long gone (I later heard he was not selected as a pilot, which must have been disappointing for him), but in Minot I met the man who would become my husband. He was a bomber pilot, running B52 flights across the country. Together we took advantage of the Air Force's liberal housing policy to bank a lot of our earnings, and we took advantage of standby flights to visit those beaches that didn't exist in Minot. When my four years were up (he had more time committed than I did, since he's a pilot), I barely had to think twice about continuing. I could go to work in the private sector and maybe make more money, but my skills are highly respected here, and I'm enjoying challenges and projects that would take me years to be eligible for outside the Air Force. We're still in Minot, although we've put in for a transfer. As much as I love my work, I'm still not wild about winter." I'm a Medical Officer "I'm the first in my family to join the military. My parents were not excited about my choice; I grew up during the Vietnam years, and my parents were opposed to that war, so when I decided to join the Air Force, I met with some resistance. But as a high school kid who didn't have much to offer (or so I thought), the Air Force in the 1980s seemed like a good choice. I never did take the Cold War very seriously, and as soon as I graduated from high school, I enlisted. It was a shock. I thought I was in good shape, but boot camp taught me how very wrong I was. The intensive drilling, the verbal onslaught, the physical and mental overloads almost did me in. But I discovered something about myself - I have a stubborn streak a mile wide. I was not going to give up; I wasn't a quitter.

After basic training, I had dreams of becoming a pilot, but knew I'd have to complete college and officer's training. While trying to figure out what to do, I was assigned a post as an aeromedical apprentice, working with the base flight surgeon. I saw other recruits, big strong guys, turning green at some of the things we saw during medical work, but it never bothered me. The surgeon noticed my ability to stay calm and focused, and he suggested I consider pursuing a medical education. I'd never considered that I could do something like that, after all, it's a daunting program to start. But again, I don't like to quit, once I've decided on something. Working with the Air Force, I was able to enroll in an undergraduate pre-med program at a nearby university. It was quite a haul, working and taking those courses. But my Air Force unit was very supportive, and I graduated with honors before applying to medical school. I thought about specializing, but I knew there was a shortage of good general practice physicians in the Air Force (and I was going to owe them a few years for all this education and training), so I decided that would be my career. When med school was behind me, the Air Force put me to work, and I haven't looked back since. I've worked at four different bases, the first two assigned to me, and the second two by my request. I married an Air Force navigator, and while I'm proud of her, I have to admit I worry that one day I'm going to be performing emergency life-saving procedures on her. But I try not to focus on that, thinking of what a great job she does and how much fun we have when we take off for the great unknown on Air Force planes for our vacations. It's likely that I'd earn more money if I worked outside the Air Force, but I've been with the military a long time now, and I like the hierarchy. Besides, the civilian world has its own set of challenges for a doctor, managed care and health insurance restrictions, for example. Being an officer as well as a doctor and having several years of Air Force commitment under my belt, I earn a very comfortable living, especially with the many perks involved. I plan to stay through my 20 years until retirement, before considering joining the civilian world."

Pursuing a career with the Air Force can result in a long and satisfying work life, for the right person. While the military offers topnotch training and educational opportunities, as well as the potential to excel in your chosen career field more quickly than in the private sector, it also requires different personality types and skill sets than more traditional careers. The person most likely to succeed in the military will be someone who is strongly motivated, both self-motivated and motivated by external controls. Being able to react and respond on a moment's notice to do whatever job needs to be done without becoming confused or distracted is a critical ability. Air Force personnel need to be able to assess situations and be ready to step in, and they also need to be alert and prepared for instructions from higher ranks. Thinking quickly, reacting calmly even in emergencies, and being able to implement orders responsibly and efficiently are important qualities in any Air Force role. Taking direction and orders is a key factor. The Air Force military hierarchy requires its personnel to accept and act on orders, no questions asked. This is not the type of organization that will tolerate people questioning authority or disregarding orders, even if someone believes they have a better way of solving a problem than their superior officer. There are times when that's accepted in the private sector; in the Air Force, it's not likely to be considered appropriate. It's also important to be ready to take risks. Because many personnel may be involved in military actions, including administrators, leaders, medical personnel and troops, you must be able to draw on personal reserves of courage and stamina while facing difficult action scenarios. As your Air Force career progresses, you will receive promotions that will require you not only to take orders, but give them. It may be a case of delegating an order from a higher rank, or developing orders on your own to deliver to those working under you. In either case, you will need the ability to state clearly what needs to be done and follow through to make sure the orders are followed. This involves a willingness to take responsibility. If they are your orders and they aren't understood and obeyed, you must be willing not only to reprimand others, but at least partially blame yourself. Leadership qualities are a strong predictor of success. These include demonstrating respect up and down the chain of command and inspiring respect and motivation from those who

work for you. While the Air Force can be rigid in nature, flexibility is needed. Beginning Air Force careers may involve moving several times, working at less desirable locations and at jobs not necessarily your first choice. Demonstrating willingness to work within the confines of Air Force protocol is important. Physical fitness is a key quality. Because the Air Force is primarily a combat-ready and peacekeeping organization, all personnel, even if they aren't considered front line, must be ready to go to war. The Air Force requires all recruits to pass physical fitness exams, and those exams are repeated throughout a career. Committing to the physical fitness program is necessary.

Working with the air force offers a number of strongly positive components. If you are college-bound, a program such as ROTC offers tuition assistance in exchange for a commitment (usually four years) to the Air Force upon graduation. Many students are able to pursue their degree with less student debt, and they're guaranteed a job at the end. The job assigned is usually directly related to the student's education; for example, an engineering student will most likely be given an engineering-based work assignment. Many students find that they have the opportunity to take on more demanding tasks sooner than they would with an entry-level job in the private sector. Your skills are developed at a faster rate and you are challenged right off. If you demonstrate self-discipline and commitment to the Air Force, as well as strong work skills, the chances for promotion within the Air Force are very good, and the promotions may occur more quickly than they would working outside the Air Force. In some of the technical areas, you may find yourself working alongside some very talented professionals, which can strengthen your own abilities as well. Pay and benefits with the Air Force are steady and competitive. Promotions and cost-of-living increases, as well as additional funding for transfers and off-base housing are often provided (on-base housing is free). Most Air Force personnel enjoy more annual vacation time than people working for corporations, and they receive comprehensive medical and dental insurance. Options for life insurance are offered as well. Ongoing tuition assistance is available for those working toward undergraduate and graduate degrees. For those who like to travel and see the world, the Air Force has a number of options. Many at entry-level will find themselves living in several different locations over several years (some are more desirable than others, but it depends on the skills needed at specific bases). They may even enjoy overseas assignments. You can take advantage of the ability to fly free (space available) on Air Force jets, enjoying that extra vacation time. There is job security for those who follow the rules and regulations of the Air Force. While funding cutbacks have closed some bases, most of those employees were absorbed into other bases. At times of economic downturn, the Air Force can depend on the support of the US government to keep their work going. For those who stay with the Air Force, retirement packages are also attractive. The Air Force offers full retirement benefits after 20 years of service; that means that someone who joins right after college would be eligible to retire in their early 40s, leaving them plenty of time to pursue another career path, with a formidable amount of relevant experience in their background. Many Air Force retirees go on to consult for large corporations, either by starting their own consulting firms or joining existing ones. Many become entrepreneurs, starting their own business that may be related to their work with the Air Force.

As in any career path, there are not only positive features to careers in the Air Force, but also some less attractive aspects that should be taken into consideration before joining. While the Air Force provides many career opportunities, the organization itself has more control over the terms of employment than many private sector companies. Signing up with the Air Force requires you to commit to

specific lengths of duty (two to four years) which are not negotiable; quitting is not usually an option, unless there is a compelling medical reason. Leaving the job without authorization can be viewed as desertion and result in a dishonorable discharge, or worse, criminal charges. In a private sector, leaving a job does not usually cause these kinds of problems, but the commitment to the Air Force is more rigid. In most cases, the pay scale will not be as good as a comparable job in the private sector would be. The Air Force will also dictate where you live while in the Air Force. You can request certain locations, but there are no guarantees that you'll be assigned as you wish, especially at entry level. Depending on the type of work you do, you will be sent to a base that needs your abilities the most, and you may move during your career, sometimes several times. Some of your assignments may not be to your liking. Sometimes the assignments may be international, which can lead to culture shock or feelings of isolation. For people wishing to stay put in a specific city or state near family or friends, the Air Force may not be the best choice. The Air Force is a military organization, with traditional military hierarchies and protocol. Unlike the private sector, which may be casual both in dress and in office protocol, the Air Force has strict regulations about dress and conduct, with specific behaviors expected at all times. Obeying orders is key, even if you disagree with the orders. Individuals who have difficulty working under authority figures may want to assess their ability to thrive under this kind of hierarchy. Physical fitness is a key component for many types of work within the Air Force, and periodic fitness exams as well as ongoing fitness training may be required. For individuals who are not in physically strong shape, the initial exams will be difficult and may prevent your joining. The primary objective of the Air Force is to keep the US safe during times of war. In peacetime, the Air Force continues working towards peacekeeping goals, and it also does extensive research in both medical and technical fields. Many people join the Air Force in order to gain valuable work and research experience, but they may join during a time of stability and peace, thinking they will not be called for war. However, wars can start fairly quickly, and commitment to the Air Force includes responding in times of war. For those on active duty, that means being called out of regular duties to support war efforts. Even after leaving the Air Force, many people have an extended period during which they are considered reservists who can be called from civilian life to participate in a war. Joining the Air Force with the assumption that you will not be involved in war would be a grave mistake. Once you have joined, it is too late to back out if there should be fighting. All Air Force personnel should be aware and prepared for that circumstance.

There are a number of basic requirements for all people wishing to join the Air Force, including US citizenship or permanent alien status (from countries on good standing with the US), good health, successful completion of a physical fitness screening exam, a clean drug screening, very few legal issues (including multiple traffic tickets), and a high school diploma or its equivalent. You must be the appropriate age - no younger than 17, and no older than 28 for basic applications and pilot candidates, 33 for officers and 40 for medical officers, with exceptions for those with prior service records. There are other requirements as well: the candidate must appear to be psychologically sound, of good moral character, and heterosexual. In some cases, having numerous dependents may make a candidate ineligible (for example, several children). For Enlisted Personnel For basic enlistment, a high school diploma or equivalent is the primary educational requirement. The Air Force offers several entry level, or apprentice programs that offer on-the-job training. However, if you want to advance, you can pursue college education and training in order to move up the ranks, or apply for one of the forms of officer's training. Administrative Administrative opportunities will be better for candidates who have office-related skills, such as computer training for word processing, spread sheet, and Power Point functions. Additional course work in accounting, economics

and statistics is helpful as well. Operations/Support Enlisted personnel planning careers in operations and support roles have a wide variety of paths available to them. For those interested in pursuing aircraft and vehicle maintenance, any additional training on machine maintenance and related science courses would be valuable. Studies in electronics, shop, chemistry, computer science and physics would be helpful in pursuing most of the apprenticeships available in this area. For those interested in working on logistics roles, studying military history and strategy would be useful. Systems The increasingly high-tech world of Air Force systems indicates that those seeking apprenticeships in this area should pursue as much technical, computer and science-related course work as possible. For Officer Becoming an officer in the Air Force can take one of three paths: ● Attending Officer Training School, which is a 12-week program ● Attending the high school program Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp, JROTC or the college level Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp, AFROTC, which is usually a four-year program, with some exceptions ● Attending the Air Force Academy, a four-year college program that incorporates officer training into its bachelor's program. Whichever program is chosen, officer candidates must also pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test and satisfactorily complete the mandatory basic training (boot camp). Once accepted as an officer candidate, the Air Force requires varying levels of post-education commitment. For standard officers, that commitment is four years; for air navigators and air battle managers, the commitment is six years; and for pilots, 10 years. Officers are college-educated, most with a bachelor's degree (usually a Bachelor of Science, but a Bachelor of Arts degree is not uncommon in the officer ranks). Many officers choose to pursue more advanced degrees while in the Air Force, taking advantage of the Air Force's tuition and education support. Flight The Air Force provides training for flying aircraft that isn't available to the general public, but students wishing to become pilots would be wise to prepare with any relevant education, including science and computer courses and, if possible, private pilot training. While any college degree would be eligible for flight training, those who focus on related science or engineering degrees would be most likely to be chosen for training in this highly competitive area. Technical Technical officers are the engineers, scientists and aircraft maintenance supervisors who will be expected to pursue degrees in the technical sciences, computers and math. A bachelor's degree would be the minimum requirement, although many officers choose to obtain more advanced education, either before or during their Air Force career. Non-Technical A wide variety of course work can prepare personnel for this line of work, from foreign studies to political history to military history to business-related courses involving logistics and statistics. Specialty Depending on the specialty chosen, officers should have college degrees in public relations and marketing, medical degrees, engineering, health administration, law enforcement, even religious studies.

In general, those choosing the Air Force for their career will find that they do not earn as much money as those in comparable careers in the private sector. However, the military does offer standard benefits that usually exceed

those offered in corporations, such as 30 days paid vacation, free standby travel on Air Force aircraft, tuition assistance for advanced education, free housing for those who live on base and housing allowances for those who live off base, food allowances, clothing allowances for uniform purchases, additional pay for hardship duty or flight duty, comprehensive insurance, and full retirement after 20 years of service. Pay raises based on promotions, time-in-service, and cost-of-living are standard as well. Earnings estimates are based on salary and relevant allowances (housing, food, uniforms). These figures do not include optional benefits, such as tuition assistance and allowances for special duty. The higher the pay, the higher the rank and the longer the term of employment with the Air Force, as pay is based strictly on length of duty and rank of promotion. Enlisted Enlisted personnel who start at the basic entry level can expect to earn approximately $25,000 per year (including allowances). Promotions of rank can earn increases averaging approximately $1000 to $1500 per promotion. Additional years of service also increase pay, so that someone who has served 15 years and has been promoted throughout those years could earn as much as $60,000 to $65,000 per year. Officer Officers earn more money, start to finish, than enlisted personnel. Officers generally have higher education and more specialized skills, and they are the ones in leadership positions, which justifies their higher salaries. As pilots are officers, they have the opportunity to earn additional flight pay, and specialty officers such as medical officers may draw hardship duty pay if they are assigned to remote or combat areas. An entry level commissioned officer, such as an Air Force Academy or ROTC graduate, can expect to earn approximately $40,000 per year, including the allowances. Promotions can earn salary increases of $5,000 to $6,000, and there are also annual cost of living increases. An officer who has been promoted several times over 15 to 20 years of service can expect to earn $100,000 to $125,000 per year. Those of the highest ranks who stay with the Air Force past 20 years can expect to earn close to $180,000.

The long-term outlook for careers in the Air Force is somewhat hard to predict, due to the difficulty of predicting political and international relationships that could affect the Air Force in both positive and negative ways. In general, the Cold War years and the space race saw some of the Air Force's greatest growth periods. With the fear of potential war looming and the insistence on building faster, stronger aircraft with topnotch pilots to fly them, the Air Force was intent on growing its ranks and attracting the best people. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, what was once considered the greatest enemy no longer existed in a threatening form. While there continue to be other military actions involving the US (Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Afghanistan), the large-scale Air Force growth hasn't equaled that seen in the 1960s and 1970s. Instead, ongoing budget cuts and base closures have somewhat reduced the overall numbers of the Air Force. As an organization, it's not likely to shrink significantly; the importance of air combat in times of war has already proven its effectiveness and worth. But during extended times of peace, or times of smaller wars (as compared to the World Wars or Vietnam), there's isn't the need to build a bigger military operation. In the foreseeable future, the Air Force will still recruit at all levels, but there may be fewer slots available at all ranks, especially at officer ranks. The more desirable bases may have longer waiting lists, with placement going to those with specific skills and seniority. That is not to say that the Air Force is not a strong career provider. One area of potential growth is minority recruitment, as the military in general works to diversify its ranks. Any future military actions will have an impact on recruitment as well. During peacetime, people with highly technical skills, pilots who may have the ability to develop into flight instructors, and those developing different aspects of flight will be the most likely to find satisfying careers in the Air Force.

Once you've considered the various options available for an Air Force career, and you've done the background research and interviews to determine which path you'd like to pursue, it may be time to actively pursue your career. By now you have probably talked with your career counselor, done research at the library and on the Internet, and interviewed current and past Air Force employees or recruiting personnel. Having narrowed down your choices, you should now begin the process of applying to the Air Force. It may be time to return to the recruiting office to find out the best way to sign up. If you're going to college, ROTC may be a good starting point. Or if you've completed college and would like to pursue officer's training, it's now time to choose the specialty you'd like to pursue. Talk to your recruiting office about registering for any required exams and physical fitness tests, and continue maintaining your physical fitness levels; if you are accepted, one of the first things you will do is attend boot camp, which will fully test your physical capabilities. Once you begin the application process, you may be asked for base preferences. You may not get any of your choices, but be sure to research the different options. There's little point in requesting a base that has no opportunities for someone with your qualifications, so try to be realistic when making requests, and keep expectations to a minimum. Because it's likely that you will have to move once accepted, you should begin making any necessary arrangements. Even if you haven't been assigned yet, make a list of all financial relationships (banks, credit cards, cell phone companies, etc) that you will need to contact once you do move. If there are student loans that will need to be paid, make sure you know how to contact the lending bank. If you've been accepted into the Air Force but haven't received your final assignment yet, it's not too soon to begin packing. You may have many things you wouldn't take with you but don't want to get rid of; pack those and make arrangements for storage. As soon as your assignment and moving information arrives, begin contacting all the relevant companies and collecting packing boxes. With the assignment in hand, learn as much about your assigned base and location as possible. Advance research will make the transfer easier. Find out what newcomers groups might exist, either for officers or enlisted, and prepare to make contact with them as soon as you arrive. Above all, make yourself familiar with the Air Force and its regulations and opportunities. While the quantity of regulations might seem enormous, take your time and make sure you understand them. It's easier to abide by rules if you know what they are and what they mean.

The US Air Force is a massive organization with bases around the world, but they are also highly organized, with a variety of centers and organizations prepared to provide information and answer questions about career possibilities. Your local recruiting office can provide specific contacts, or you can contact one of the organizations on this list. Nearly all organizations have Internet sites and e-mail. If you prefer to contact someone by phone or letter, visiting these sites will provide you with the proper addresses and phone numbers, or your school media center can also help establish contact. ●

Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence

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Air Force Doctrine Center

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Air Force News Agency

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Air Force Personnel Center

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Air Force Recruiting Headquarters

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Air Force Reserve Command

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Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp

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Air Force Space Command

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Air National Guard

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United States Air Force Academy

There are many aspects to life on an Air Force base, and most of them are chronicled through a series of

monthly or bi-monthly publications produced by the Air Force. Many of these publications are available online, some at no cost while others require a subscription. However, your public or school library may have access to some of these in print form, and your local Air Force recruiting office may be able to obtain copies for you as well. Reading these periodicals will give you a thorough grounding in what's new and interesting in these fields, as well as provide you with a better understanding of the military organization overall. ●

Aerospace Power Chronicles

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Air Force Magazine

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Air Force Times

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Airman

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The Combat Edge

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Flying Safety

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Leading Edge Careers Research Monographs Copyright 2006 by The Institute For Research CHICAGO