Cry Havok and let loose the dogs of the [Military Thread]

Iceman.USAF

Ask your Det CC for a list of critically manned career fields. Pick from those. The AF is drawing down pretty sharply over the last 4 years (30k or so) and another 10k to come. For this coming RIF (reduction in force), they're looking at junior officers (<6 years time).

Unless you are up for just doing as little time in as possible, then go for something thats overmanned like say Force Support.

Nothing wrong with either route, but its something you should be aware of when considering your AFSC.

As for deployments, I have no idea. I am none of the jobs you asked about unfortuntely. I'll ask some pilot folks and see what their deployments are like but I'm not sure they've *been* on any.

OpposingFarce

Ok, thank you for the advice! I will definitely ask my CC about those critically manned positions. I suppose it gives me the option of staying in longer, if it comes to that. I still like the Contracting/Space and Missile fields because they have good opportunities on the outside, but I'll definitely see what's wanted. Maybe one of them translates well too.

Right now is an unfortunate time to be in AFROTC with all the winding down. I heard five A-10 squadrons were cut last week. I'm currently training for field training, and don't even have a guaranteed slot for field training (I'm positioned rather well for one, but who knows anymore?), so all this worrying could be for nothing, but thanks for your help anyways! Figure I should start my research.

Iceman.USAF

OpposingFarce wrote:

Ok, thank you for the advice! I will definitely ask my CC about those critically manned positions. I suppose it gives me the option of staying in longer, if it comes to that. I still like the Contracting/Space and Missile fields because they have good opportunities on the outside, but I'll definitely see what's wanted. Maybe one of them translates well too.

Right now is an unfortunate time to be in AFROTC with all the winding down. I heard five A-10 squadrons were cut last week. I'm currently training for field training, and don't even have a guaranteed slot for field training (I'm positioned rather well for one, but who knows anymore?), so all this worrying could be for nothing, but thanks for your help anyways! Figure I should start my research.

I have to ask, what makes you think the Space and Missile field has outside opportunities? Contracting yes, space and missile, well I'm open to the argument but I don't see it. Unless we've got some privately run missile silos that I don't know about. Remember if you DO go space and missile, you're not guaranteed either side.

Laemkral

I'm not Air Force, but if you're looking for career fields that will translate to civilian employment then I recommend you take a look at anything involving transportation and logistics. There will always be a need to move stuff, and the shrinking if permanent overseas forces means an increase in rotational forces. Plus, the field has the most job opportunities outside the military cause just about every big business needs people who know logistics.

Also, if you do go pilot I concur with your thought to go cargo airlift. They actually DO stuff, even in garrison environments so you won't just be sitting around bored for the next ground war, or an air war that's never gonna happen.

OpposingFarce

@Iceman.USAF, I figured that some skill sets associated with S&M, the space managerial ones, could prove valuable. If in charge of an orbital satellite launch, not everyone knows how to manage one. And my uncle works for NASA in Virginia, and his air field has an internship program where one of the options is with orbital launch. Perhaps there are opportunities, perhaps not. I am not in love with S&M by any means. I am willing to look at other jobs of course. My list is not set in stone by any means. S&M now has a reduced priority, although it will still be on the list, in all likelihood, unless other jobs take over my entire dream sheet.

@Laemkral, I really liked what you said about Logistics. My cadre currently only has two officers. The Lt.Col. was a combat weather guy, and the Lt. is a logistics guy. I'll definitely ask about weather and logistics, where the Lt. sees himself. He has only been in a four years and I think he will stay in a couple more before moving on, he has probably thought about it by now. We used to have a Captain at the Det (finance guy) but he just got permission to cross-train into ALO. Pretty BA, I think.

And I heard similar things about airlift. I heard the general lifestyle is so different, it appealed to me more. Heard they're terminating a bunch of C-5s too.

And adding to my list of jobs, anyone know anything about Weather? Seems like it can translate well outside. Not sure though, it's hard to research these things. About.com and the AF website tell me only so much.

So add Logistics to the list. Pilot and Contracting still on it, with S&M still on it but lower on the list in priority.

I want to thank you guys again!

spookymuffin

There is so much bullshit in the Air Force, but that

Laemkral wrote:

I'm not Air Force, but if you're looking for career fields that will translate to civilian employment then I recommend you take a look at anything involving transportation and logistics. There will always be a need to move stuff, and the shrinking if permanent overseas forces means an increase in rotational forces. Plus, the field has the most job opportunities outside the military cause just about every big business needs people who know logistics.

Also, if you do go pilot I concur with your thought to go cargo airlift. They actually DO stuff, even in garrison environments so you won't just be sitting around bored for the next ground war, or an air war that's never gonna happen.

I work in logistics, I'm a 2T2. Always being in the need means constant being deployed. Take that how you want.

Iceman.USAF

OpposingFarce wrote:

@Iceman.USAF, I figured that some skill sets associated with S&M, the space managerial ones, could prove valuable. If in charge of an orbital satellite launch, not everyone knows how to manage one. And my uncle works for NASA in Virginia, and his air field has an internship program where one of the options is with orbital launch. Perhaps there are opportunities, perhaps not. I am not in love with S&M by any means. I am willing to look at other jobs of course. My list is not set in stone by any means. S&M now has a reduced priority, although it will still be on the list, in all likelihood, unless other jobs take over my entire dream sheet.

Don't let me shoot you down, I work in CE so I've got almost no idea about the S&M career field. It seems like you've got at least a basic understanding of it though, so just make sure you do your homework. It's worth noting that if you wind up staying for 20, you can pretty much go into Program Management in a variety of career fields. Things tend to get broader the higher you go.

OpposingFarce

Spooky what do your deployments look like? I wouldn't mind for 4-5 years, but after that I'll have priorities at home that will be catching up to me in all likelihood.

spookymuffin

Can you be a little more specific? Are you asking about frequency, workload, location, or something else? I can type walls of text and not hit the points you're wanting to know about.

TraceofToxin

Gentlemen, we have reached T-Minus 210 days.

Prepare the incinerator, we've got uniforms to dispose of.

OpposingFarce

I would be really interested in Location and frequency, and from that I could probably figure out workload unless there is something specific you would like to share. I assume for workload it is 'a lot.'

Iceman.USAF

TraceofToxin wrote:

Gentlemen, we have reached T-Minus 210 days.

Prepare the incinerator, we've got uniforms to dispose of.

You lost me.

spookymuffin

Logisticians are pretty much everywhere, and they're generally the last to leave wherever you're at. My job was in the last group of people to leave Iraq. Frequency is dependent on your base, but it's a standard 6 month deployment for the air force as a whole. You might get 6 months or a year of dwell time, it varies by assignment. Pretty much, you'll be everywhere, and you'll always be there.

spookymuffin

Iceman.USAF wrote:

TraceofToxin wrote:

Gentlemen, we have reached T-Minus 210 days.

Prepare the incinerator, we've got uniforms to dispose of.

You lost me.

Yeah, what's this?

Comahawk

spookymuffin wrote:

Iceman.USAF wrote:

TraceofToxin wrote:

Gentlemen, we have reached T-Minus 210 days.

Prepare the incinerator, we've got uniforms to dispose of.

You lost me.

Yeah, what's this?

I think he is planning to single handedly destroy the military on 2 September 2012.

Terrorist!

TraceofToxin

Comahawk wrote:

spookymuffin wrote:

Iceman.USAF wrote:

TraceofToxin wrote:

Gentlemen, we have reached T-Minus 210 days.

Prepare the incinerator, we've got uniforms to dispose of.

You lost me.

Yeah, what's this?

I think he is planning to single handedly destroy the military on 2 September 2012.

Terrorist!

Seperation.

Freeeeeeddoooooommmmm.

Also, 70 days or so till I'm back in the states. Woop woop.

Quid

How could you people not get that?

Taranis

Quid wrote:

How could you people not get that?

They must be lifers.

Laemkral

Taranis wrote:

Quid wrote:

How could you people not get that?

They must be lifers.

Damn right!

Quid

Man I'm a lifer and I know perfectly well what that means cause I get insanely jealous every time.

Also I just learned that if you do know you need a hair cut, do not go in Sunday night at almost eight. Cause apparently half the base will be there too.

Taranis

The only way I ever would've wanted to be a lifer is if I could have deployed without general order number 1.

I got a letter in the mail a few weeks ago through my school trying to get me to enlist in the local NG unit which came as a bit of a shock. As far as I know I can't even lie my way through a medical screening for another three years. Damn it would've been good to collect some extra cash for squaring away some cadets or whatever.

Iceman.USAF

spookymuffin wrote:

Logisticians are pretty much everywhere, and they're generally the last to leave wherever you're at. My job was in the last group of people to leave Iraq.

No offense, but literally everyone I know says this. I have an EA (Engineering Assistant) who swears she was the last person at Balad.

Laemkral

Iceman.USAF wrote:

spookymuffin wrote:

Logisticians are pretty much everywhere, and they're generally the last to leave wherever you're at. My job was in the last group of people to leave Iraq.

No offense, but literally everyone I know says this. I have an EA (Engineering Assistant) who swears she was the last person at Balad.

Generally speaking, us logistics guys ARE among the last to leave a site. While I can't speak intelligibly on the last unit to literally cross the border from Iraq into Kuwait, it was a Movement Control Team that shut the gate. Usually it's a movement control section that's the last to leave a major site to ensure all the trans elements departed. We're there to open a port, and we're there to shut it.

If spooky muffin works with CRG (Air Force equivalent to our Movement Control Teams) then he very likely might have been one of the final USAF elements at his installation.

I'm sure there's usually some trigger squeezers there too for security, but that's only a hostile environment. Logistics happens everywhere. Upshot is there's not an Army post in the world I can't get stationed at, which is also the downside.

moocow

I may be enlisting in the near future, and I have a question for anyone who knows stuff about Army enlisted medical MOSes.

How close will 68E (Dental Specialist), 68P (Radiology Specialist), and 68V (Respiratory Specialist) get me to civilian certifications for being a dental hygienist, radiology tech, or respiratory therapist?

I'm 29 years old, and don't really want to have to go back to college 4 years from now. An MOS that would translate to a civilian career with minimal hassle after I get out would be nice.

spookymuffin

Laemkral wrote:

Iceman.USAF wrote:

spookymuffin wrote:

Logisticians are pretty much everywhere, and they're generally the last to leave wherever you're at. My job was in the last group of people to leave Iraq.

No offense, but literally everyone I know says this. I have an EA (Engineering Assistant) who swears she was the last person at Balad.

Generally speaking, us logistics guys ARE among the last to leave a site. While I can't speak intelligibly on the last unit to literally cross the border from Iraq into Kuwait, it was a Movement Control Team that shut the gate. Usually it's a movement control section that's the last to leave a major site to ensure all the trans elements departed. We're there to open a port, and we're there to shut it.

If spooky muffin works with CRG (Air Force equivalent to our Movement Control Teams) then he very likely might have been one of the final USAF elements at his installation.

I'm sure there's usually some trigger squeezers there too for security, but that's only a hostile environment. Logistics happens everywhere. Upshot is there's not an Army post in the world I can't get stationed at, which is also the downside.

I have been a part of a CRG, and that's a fun job. They send in a team of my guys, airfield controllers, and security forces, and then we start catching planes. When whatever operation is over with, we put everyone on planes, and then deconstruct our operation, loading up the last plane with our gear and then getting on it. I doubt an engineer was the last person in Balad. It was more likely a logistician or some kind of armed unit making sure the planes left safely.

Iceman.USAF

spookymuffin wrote:

Laemkral wrote:

Iceman.USAF wrote:

spookymuffin wrote:

Logisticians are pretty much everywhere, and they're generally the last to leave wherever you're at. My job was in the last group of people to leave Iraq.

No offense, but literally everyone I know says this. I have an EA (Engineering Assistant) who swears she was the last person at Balad.

Generally speaking, us logistics guys ARE among the last to leave a site. While I can't speak intelligibly on the last unit to literally cross the border from Iraq into Kuwait, it was a Movement Control Team that shut the gate. Usually it's a movement control section that's the last to leave a major site to ensure all the trans elements departed. We're there to open a port, and we're there to shut it.

If spooky muffin works with CRG (Air Force equivalent to our Movement Control Teams) then he very likely might have been one of the final USAF elements at his installation.

I'm sure there's usually some trigger squeezers there too for security, but that's only a hostile environment. Logistics happens everywhere. Upshot is there's not an Army post in the world I can't get stationed at, which is also the downside.

I have been a part of a CRG, and that's a fun job. They send in a team of my guys, airfield controllers, and security forces, and then we start catching planes. When whatever operation is over with, we put everyone on planes, and then deconstruct our operation, loading up the last plane with our gear and then getting on it. I doubt an engineer was the last person in Balad. It was more likely a logistician or some kind of armed unit making sure the planes left safely.

Oh, I completely agree and it makes sense.

I was just pointing out that its a common theme amongst folks who helped close a base.

Natheo

Well, it's been a long road, but I thought I would stop in to share some good news, and hopefully solicit some advice. I was pro-rec'd for SNA (and SNFO) at the January OCS board. I haven't signed my final select paperwork yet, still waiting to hear from my officer recruiter. It was sort of interesting how it happened.

Shortly after I had signed my enlistment contract, this past November, after I had already signed the form that says that I'm not planning on applying for any officer position with my enlisted recruiter, I received a phone call from an officer recruiter asking if I wanted to apply as a pilot for the upcoming board in January. I agreed, but found out that I had about a week to get everything together along with taking the ASTB. I busted my ass studying for it, and scored 8/9/8 61. This score combined with the rest of my package was thankfully good enough to get picked up. Amazing how things can change in a week, and also a good lesson on why I shouldn't disqualify myself for these sorts of opportunities.

Does anyone post here that's recently been through Navy OCS or is in the SNA pipeline?

Laemkral

moocow wrote:

I may be enlisting in the near future, and I have a question for anyone who knows stuff about Army enlisted medical MOSes.

How close will 68E (Dental Specialist), 68P (Radiology Specialist), and 68V (Respiratory Specialist) get me to civilian certifications for being a dental hygienist, radiology tech, or respiratory therapist?

I'm 29 years old, and don't really want to have to go back to college 4 years from now. An MOS that would translate to a civilian career with minimal hassle after I get out would be nice.

I worked with a Reserve hospital unit when I was a cadet and (surprise surprise) many of the Reservists did in the civilian world what they did in the unit. In fact, civilian education was a big part of their professional education, so conferences and training counted in place of their attending drill sometimes.

So, it's my understanding that when you get trained for those jobs, your military certification is equivalent to the civilian version. You would either have a simultaneous civilian certification or could just send copies of your training records to a reputable school and receive credit and the corresponding degree. I would confirm this with a recruiter, but you should come out with everything you need. I'd also recommend you consider transitioning to the Reserves/National Guard when your time is done because you would likely drill with some of the very people you work with, and it increases your networking in meeting people who have the connections to get you the good jobs in your field.

TraceofToxin

Quid wrote:

Man I'm a lifer and I know perfectly well what that means cause I get insanely jealous every time.

Also I just learned that if you do know you need a hair cut, do not go in Sunday night at almost eight. Cause apparently half the base will be there too.

I've spent the last few months pinching myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

Dude, the on base barber is like the most random shit. Immediately after work hours? Empty. 1400 on a Tuesday? PREPARE FOR DEFCON FOUR, THE SHAGGY FOLK HAVE OVERRUN THE BX!

Turkson

This is why I like being deployed. 15 minutes and some clippers and I'm good to go for the next two to three weeks.

Laemkral

Amen. Downrange I even just did it myself, buzzed a 1 all over. The annoying thing is that in Germany it currently costs $11 at AAFES and I know it costs less than that stateside.

Bloodycow

It's 13.50 here in the Netherlands. But I just buzz my own head every other week. Cost me 19$ for some clippers from walmart 2 years ago. I just have my wife trim up the back of my neck to make it look all professional like

Oh and if you do get a haircut downrange, the guy will usually give you a neck massage for 5 minutes. Then you hand him 4 bucks. What a deal

Evigilant

TraceofToxin wrote:

Comahawk wrote:

spookymuffin wrote:

Iceman.USAF wrote:

TraceofToxin wrote:

Gentlemen, we have reached T-Minus 210 days.

Prepare the incinerator, we've got uniforms to dispose of.

You lost me.

Yeah, what's this?

I think he is planning to single handedly destroy the military on 2 September 2012.

Terrorist!

Seperation.

Freeeeeeddoooooommmmm.

Also, 70 days or so till I'm back in the states. Woop woop.

I'm jealous, I have 326 days left. Time to coast this last year and do as little as possible.

TraceofToxin

Bloodycow wrote:

Oh and if you do get a haircut downrange, the guy will usually give you a neck massage for 5 minutes. Then you hand him 4 bucks. What a deal

I fucking love this shit.

Evigilant wrote:

I'm jealous, I have 326 days left. Time to coast this last year and do as little as possible.

I keep saying that yet I always end up doing shit.

What is wrong with me?

VeritasVR

So, somehow I incorrectly analyzed my Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (because the VA and education office know absolutely nothing) and now I owe at least $2,500 more than I thought when the bill showed up. Fun!

Now I have to re-assess how many credits hours I can take in which semester for the next three years to minimize my cost.

TraceofToxin

VeritasVR wrote:

So, somehow I incorrectly analyzed my Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (because the VA and education office know absolutely nothing) and now I owe at least $2,500 more than I thought when the bill showed up. Fun!

Now I have to re-assess how many credits hours I can take in which semester for the next three years to minimize my cost.

Shitty. The lesson to learn here is to read all the paperwork yourself and trust no one to help you?

Iceman.USAF

VeritasVR wrote:

So, somehow I incorrectly analyzed my Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (because the VA and education office know absolutely nothing) and now I owe at least $2,500 more than I thought when the bill showed up. Fun!

Now I have to re-assess how many credits hours I can take in which semester for the next three years to minimize my cost.

Can you use TA to cover the rest? I know for officers you cannot retroactively get it for a course but maybe it'll help you balance the upcoming course load.

VeritasVR

TraceofToxin wrote:

VeritasVR wrote:

So, somehow I incorrectly analyzed my Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (because the VA and education office know absolutely nothing) and now I owe at least $2,500 more than I thought when the bill showed up. Fun!

Now I have to re-assess how many credits hours I can take in which semester for the next three years to minimize my cost.

Shitty. The lesson to learn here is to read all the paperwork yourself and trust no one to help you?

I did, and it was never clarified what the percent cap on private university tuition was in reference to. Was it overall cost of your tuition or the maximum $17,500 per academic year? I made the assumption that it capped your total tuition, but even if it capped max limit and left tuition untouched, I would be fine. Turns out, it caps BOTH cost and max at the same time. FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-

Try to find this method information anywhere, even the fine print. I guarantee you that it doesn't exist. I spent months reading information, calling the VA, looking online, and talking to the education office. And they even used me as a reference for people looking for information on this because I knew my stuff.

Iceman.USAF wrote:

Can you use TA to cover the rest? I know for officers you cannot retroactively get it for a course but maybe it'll help you balance the upcoming course load.

I am using TA and the GI Bill together (Top-Up). I still owe tons out of pocket.

Listen, I'm not complaining that it costs a lot. Just let me know how much it costs objectively without making me guess until the bill comes.

wavecutter

Don't believe the hype when they chat you up about all your experience and training transferring to colleges. I've got 40 plus undergrad credits on my S.M.A.R.T. transcript and all they would offer me is elective credits. The explanation was that I was always one hour short for the credits they offered.

Iceman.USAF

wavecutter wrote:

Don't believe the hype when they chat you up about all your experience and training transferring to colleges. I've got 40 plus undergrad credits on my S.M.A.R.T. transcript and all they would offer me is elective credits. The explanation was that I was always one hour short for the credits they offered.

I've seen similar scenarios more than I'd like to admit.