Military Question

[turge]

First and for most decide what career you want! Do not take whatever is available or what is available anywhere. You could regret that for a long while. Yes you could go just about anywhere (Hawaii, Germany, Florida, etc.) or you could go just about anywhere (Thule, Greenland, Diego Garcia, Iceland, Kuwait, etc.)

Skycops (Security Police) eat their own. I have talked to many of them and they regret that decision.

Crew Chief is a very rewarding career. You are involved with all aspects of aircraft maintenance and have a lot of responsibility. You also get to travel with your airplane (mostly the heavy’s C-130:p, C-17, C-5, KC-135, etc.), which is a blast and if you don’t go overboard can get you extra cash for your car. Also heavy aircraft maintenance give you experience for work with civilian companies after you get out.

What career you choose is something to consider, because you will eventually return to civilian life. Yes it may be 5, 10, or 20+ years later, but you want to do something you enjoy. You do have to option of changing career fields while in, but it depends on availability. If you get into a hard to fill specialty you could be stuck.

Always remember the needs of the military come first.
There is no guaranteed way to get to Germany. The remote/short tour is a good option for base of preference follow on assignment. Make sure you’re the bases you choose on your dream sheet have the career fields or aircraft you want to work in, as well as where you want to be.

Unless thing have changed in order to ship a car back from overseas you have to take one over, or something like that. Not positive on that.

Another import thing to remember, get your college work done in your off time. Success is not in the bottom of a bottle, and running the clubs won’t help either. Ask me how I know this. I drank and partied my first 4 years away. I joined to go to school in my off time and become a pilot. Shot that dream all to hell.


I spent time as a KC-135A/Q Crew Chief and the rest of my career as a legacy C-130 Flight Engineer. Aside from not becoming a pilot, my only other regret is not doing an overseas tour. I have been deployed and temporary duty all over. Germany is one of my favorites. I retire this summer after 27+ years.

Ramstein AB, has most of the Air Force career fields, and flies the C-130J. But transient maintenance of most aircraft is available.

Well one thing I was looking at for a civilian job would have to do with Urban Planning. For example, I have already submitted a design for the new Charger's Stadium. One of my Navy friends recommended becoming a CB but that wouldn't guarantee Germany. Anyways, I like working on cars as a hobby and I am fairly knowledgeable when it comes to working on them. That's why I think the ASVAB will probably point me towards a job similar to that. I'd probably be fine with something computer related as well.

As a Crew Chief what are the hours normally like?

[JBird]

OP, my friend is in the Army and was stationed in Bamberg, Germany for like 2 years, and now they just got moved to Baumholder, Germany.

I'm not sure about the other branches of military, but I know for sure that there are army posts in Bamberg and Baumholder.

[rogue38]

Crew Chief hours vary, by base and aircraft. Normal hours for me were 8hrs a shift. You would rotate shifts every so many weeks. Days were 7-4, Swings 4-Midnight, and Mids midnight to 7. Mids were my favorite. I have known some that worked 12hr days 4 days a week. Like I said it varies.

Once I started as a FE my days were 12-16 hrs. But only worked 3 or 4 days a week.

One of the Civil Engineering career field may of interest for you with your design aspirations.

[turge]

Crew Chief hours vary, by base and aircraft. Normal hours for me were 8hrs a shift. You would rotate shifts every so many weeks. Days were 7-4, Swings 4-Midnight, and Mids midnight to 7. Mids were my favorite. I have known some that worked 12hr days 4 days a week. Like I said it varies.

Once I started as a FE my days were 12-16 hrs. But only worked 3 or 4 days a week.

One of the Civil Engineering career field may of interest for you with your design aspirations.

Eh, not really too fond of the upper level Math courses Calc 1 friken killed me. Then again... horrible professor, but still avoiding Math as much as possible. The degree I was going for basically had you stop at pre-calc and then you just had to take some autocad classes amongst other required classes.

Basically, as long as I have some downtime to race at the ring I'd be good. I'll start compiling a list of jobs that look interesting and post em on here. But if you guys find something that you think I'd be interested in, let me know.

[decay]

my first army job was roughly equivalent to SeaBee (army engineers also cross-train as infantry, but it's kinda apples:apples).

life got a lot better when a high-ranking NCO learned i had computer skills and moved me over to the signal unit (engineer unit was overmanned, signal unit undermanned, about to leave for iraq).

ymmv, but i don't think that guy was doing you any favors recommending that job.

[turge]

Gotcha, and I've been checking the Air Force's website for possible jobs:

1. Pilot:
   

   http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/pilot

   
   
   Obvious reasons on why this would be cool. Although I'm looking for a break from college atm. Besides can't you join a Officer Program (OTS?) after obtaining a bachelors degree?
   
   
2. Intelligence:
   

   http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/airborne-intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance-operator

   
   
   I forgot where, but someone mentioned that Rammstein has a good number of Intelligence positions there.
   
   
3. Engineering / Construction:
   

   http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/engineering

   
   
   This would be similar to a few of the classes I am taking atm. I am familiar with CAD and a couple other mapping programs. The mapping programs I actually learned through making realistic maps for Arma II and the DayZ mod.
   
   
4. Broadcast Journalist:
   

   http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/broadcast-journalist

   
   
   That job would be kind-of cool and I am already familiar with Adobe Premier Pro and some of the related programs.
   
   
5. Mechanic ( Vehicle and Vehicular Equipment Maintenance / Special Vehicle Maintenance):
   

   http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/special-vehicle-maintenance

   
   

   http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/vehicle-and-vehicular-equipment-maintenance

   
   
   This field would be somewhat cool since I'd get to work on cars, although it'd probably get agitating after a while. I know when my car pisses me off I usually rage quit for a while then attempt it later. lol
   
   
6. Aerial Gunner:
   

   http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/aerial-gunner

   
   
   AC-130, nuff said. :D
   
   
7. Tactical Air Control:
   

   http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/tactical-air-control-party-specialist-tacp-males-only

   
   
   I understand it'd be a combat role, which I why I chose it last.

[Eric]

1. Must have a bachelors/be an officer
2. I've met a few intel people in Germany... It's lots and lots and lots of desk work.
3. Must have a bachelors/be an officer
4. I would suggest combat camera, but they might have merged. the PA guys all seam a bit silly/sassy if you know what I mean.
5. Talk to Yan about being a vehicle mechanic. Wasn't as great as he thought it would be.
6. you'll never go to germany.
7. TACP gets you stationed with the army.

[rogue38]

Besides can't you join a Officer Program (OTS?) after obtaining a bachelors degree?

Yes you can.

Intelligence
http://www.airforce.com/careers/deta...sance-operator

I forgot where, but someone mentioned that Rammstein has a good number of Intelligence positions there.

As an Intel Specialist: What Eric said. But a very good path to a high paying civilian job later.

As a Sensor Operator: 8-12 hours in a box (Most likey in the rural US desert). Although there are other places that have the positions. But as a noob count on not going anywhere.

Broadcast Journalist:
http://www.airforce.com/careers/deta...ast-journalist

That job would be kind-of cool and I am already familiar with Adobe Premier Pro and some of the related programs.

Limited stations from what I've heard, but lots of travel. I believe Armed Force News/Broadcasting is in the Frankfurt Germany area.

Mechanic ( Vehicle and Vehicular Equipment Maintenance / Special Vehicle Maintenance):
http://www.airforce.com/careers/deta...le-maintenance
http://www.airforce.com/careers/deta...nt-maintenance

This field would be somewhat cool since I'd get to work on cars, although it'd probably get agitating after a while. I know when my car pisses me off I usually rage quit for a while then attempt it later. lol

Probably a lot of general vehicle maintenance. I believe a lot of the heavier maintenace on generic vehicles is contracted out. I think the specialized vehicle maintence would be more hands on.

Aerial Gunner:

http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/aerial-gunner

AC-130, nuff said. :grin:

Cool planes. But lots of time spent on oxygen, in a depressurized aircraft at higher altitudes. Bunch of crazy people too. LOL. Dead end Job

Tactical Air Control:

http://www.airforce.com/careers/deta...acp-males-only

I understand it'd be a combat role, which I why I chose it last

Once again a bunch of crazies. Less of a Dead end job than gunner, but at least it feeds to an ATC style job.

[OTT]

Have you looked into ATC? I've been a controller here at Spangdahlem for three years and love it. It pays pretty good on the civilian side and the hours are great compared to cops, maintenance, etc. Plenty of Ring time.

I don't think TACP feeds into ATC jobs. It's completely different... CCT might.

[decay]

I don't think TACP feeds into ATC jobs. It's completely different... CCT might.

CCT = Combat Controller? uh, not for the faint of heart...

[travish325]

Join the Air Force reserves. Pick a career with an ART job (air reserve tech) aka civilian job doing the same thing you do in the reserves. Do your initial training get good then get hired doing that as a civilian. Youll be reserves on weekends and civilian on week days. You can still deploy. And best part you get civilian and military retirement plus your tsp and full benifits. Do this and thank me later. Im 21 been in since 17. Im an ART making a lot of dough doing what active duty people do just in a civilian status with more benifits. Plus I make my reserve paychecks and get paid for deployments

[BustaRhymes325i]

you could go to germany easy.

i was 3C0X1 (now a 3D0 AFSC), and probably 4 people out of 15 in my class went to rammstein. if i had to do it again id probably get my degree then go to TACP or Combat Controller.

[turge]

Have you looked into ATC? I've been a controller here at Spangdahlem for three years and love it. It pays pretty good on the civilian side and the hours are great compared to cops, maintenance, etc. Plenty of Ring time.

I don't think TACP feeds into ATC jobs. It's completely different... CCT might.

I have not, I will definitely add it to the list though. The more ring time the better. :D

Join the Air Force reserves. Pick a career with an ART job (air reserve tech) aka civilian job doing the same thing you do in the reserves. Do your initial training get good then get hired doing that as a civilian. Youll be reserves on weekends and civilian on week days. You can still deploy. And best part you get civilian and military retirement plus your tsp and full benifits. Do this and thank me later. Im 21 been in since 17. Im an ART making a lot of dough doing what active duty people do just in a civilian status with more benifits. Plus I make my reserve paychecks and get paid for deployments

But how does this help me get to Germany or a Base that I would want to go to? I could see that being a good idea if you wanted to stay close to home.

you could go to germany easy.

i was 3C0X1 (now a 3D0 AFSC), and probably 4 people out of 15 in my class went to rammstein. if i had to do it again id probably get my degree then go to TACP or Combat Controller.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob3c0x1.htm

Network and IT stuff eh? Do you need to know coding or what are the requirements?

---------------------------

On a side note talked to the recruiter today. Basically was told Germany wasn't guaranteed but it was possible depending on what job I wanted. He couldn't tell me availabilities for that base though and apparently you got to wait 6 months to join but you fill out all the paperwork, take the ASVAB, go to MEPs, and get ready in that time.

And ironically I ran into someone there who was born in Germany while I was there. I guess he came to the U.S. after getting citizenship, went Air Force and is transferring over to Ramstein in a few months. The guy knows fluent German too which he said helped him get stationed there.

[Dirtboy]

Ramstein is about 2 hours from the ring.

How slow were you driving? Took me hour & 10min:p

[Eric]

I tried to only need to fill up the tank once while there, so I usually drove 130kph to save fuel. Took me 45 minutes from spang, and normally took about 90 minutes to drive spang to ramstein.

I could do 7 laps + the drive on a tank, so 14 laps total in a 1/2 day. I usually tried to be done before lunch, but the full weekend days seamed to be sooo busy the last year that I was there, that it usually took longer.