Enlisted Jobs

[Guest soccer]

Hi, i am writing because I was wondering what the best enlisted job is in the guard involving the flying and aviation. I am interested in loadmaster on c-130's. I am also interested in crew chief or life support on f-15's. Any info would be great on what these different jobs have to offer. thanks

[Aurora85]

boomer on tanker seems pretty cool as far as enlisted goes..plus you are aircrew and that helps later down the road if you want to fly..just my .02 cents

[GreasySideUp]

If you want to fly Hercs, do something on the herc, if you want to fly eagles do something with the eagles. Vastly different missions. You'll go places as a load, you'll sleep at home more with the other jobs but both are rewarding. both of those positions are excellent for face time with the pilots if a pilot position is ultimately what you are after. If that is the case figure out which one you like best and stick with that one - it will give you a better shot later on.

Good luck

-j

[Guest AirGuardian]

Toughest job yet most rewarding (TO ME):

Try a Para Rescue Job with the Rescue guys in the Guard at three locations. Kulis, Moffet, the NY boyz if I recall correctly....

They are normally aligned with a C-130 unit as well, so opportunities are more abundant...

But, being a C-130 Load or any Load for that matter is good stuff as well as the Boomer deal.

Just look at the mission to see what you might like or rather do between the two or other AFSC's (jobs). Look at how the aircraft is deployed as well. Does it get stuck out deployed to remote areas for long durations, does it have great legs to be truly worldwide IF that is what you desire, tactical or strat flying, or both - or even the comfort factor. Either way, there are many factors to be weighed in your favor if you take a detailed look at it! In the end, to each his/her own and you live with it!!! Godspeed!

As said before by others, it's all good face time in the end to hopefully get up front! At least you will know what its all about... :D

[ 26. March 2006, 00:05: Message edited by: AirGuardian ]

[Guest Lightninbo]

before the war we were everywhere... cornet oak, germany africa..... did a lot for the guys down at ft campbell..... since this thing started up we have seen the desert as everyone else has.... imagine the good stuff will start up again once the fighting dies down and we get the budget back. 130h's today.... but there are always rumors floating about some other transition, the amp mod is out there....and lately a few rumors about that new baby looking c-130....think its called the spartan. who knows, but we are always pretty busy.

[Guest twinkle toes]

Crew chief means longer hours, no meals, crapy condition, but no one thinks you are a slacker! oh yeah, and get ussed to eating moly-b with lots of

[Guest F16PilotMD]

In the fighter world---Life Support, hands down.

[Guest txaggie_99]

'2'

Working in Life Support isn't a bad deal in a Guard fighter unit. But, if you're going to a heavy unit go with enlisted aircrew.

I work in LS in the Guard and it's been a pretty good deal. You meet some interesting folks and can get a shitload of advice from guys who've flown damn near anything. Tons o' wisdom.

Gotta go, I'm TDY at Tyndall and we're about to go check out the Raptor Squadron then hit the beach!

[scoobs]

Why is life support better then crew cheif?

[Guest twinkle toes]

Because you stay inside during the rain and heat and cold...wimps! Go crew chief. In a fighter wing, if you are getting a pilot slot, you get to know the pilots better and they have a sense of trust towards you since their life depends on you.

[Guest TheBurt]

Soccer,(apply's to C-130)

If was given the opportunity to do life over again I would have enlisted as a C-130 loadmaster, but I didn't know about the Guard when I was 17. Life Support, Crew-chief would get you exposure, however actually flying as a crewmember has several advantages.

First, you get to show airmanship, handle responsibility(in an airplane), gain CRM skills.

Next, you get a lot of exposure to the guys that are going to make the pilot selections (it works against you if you suck), they get to see you progress through college getting your PPL, and see if you can handle those demands, as well as, the demands of staying current, participating in unit functions, deployments etc. That stuff really only gets harder after you graduate from college believe it or not.

Third, you get more opportunities to get paid as an aircrewmember than the other enlisted positions, this helps you make ends meet while in school, and it's a hell of a lot more productive than flipping burgers or bagging groceries. The benefits of Ch 106 of the Reserve GI Bill pay for your college and if you are in the Guard, the particular State you are in also has hefty tuition assistance programs for guardsmen in addition to the GI Bill.

Finally, while all your college buddies are thinking about how they are going to spend their summers, you can be rest assured that your ass will be sitting in a tent in the Middle East with your reflective belt properly fastened around your body. At least you will have bragging rights that you've been to war at your fraternity mixer.

In closing, I didn't mention the all important Flight Engineer as an option, because most units require you to have at least two years of maintenance experience.

Hope this helps, Good Luck!!

[Guest Hud Cripple]

Since I was a Reserve loadmaster I can say, in my opinion, it is the best enlisted job.

Disclaimer - you will be required to put alot more time into the job than most non-flying jobs require.

For example, you have to maintain current by flying a certian number of training sorties per month/quarter/semi-annual periods. You have to do testing and check-rides. And a few other things that require a higher level of proficiency than many (not all) non flying jobs do not require.

Why is it a great job?

Getting paid to be a crewmember on a military aircraft to do a job that is very unique and challenging. While most of my friends sat and watched tv on weekends or summer breaks, I was either in another state or country doing very fun stuff. (ie. one summer break in college was spent in Venezuela interflying with the Venezuleian Airforce [pre-chavez]). Instead of working some crappy part-time job, I worked at my unit. I made more money than my frieds and got to do and see more things as a result.

A boom operator is a similiar enlisted job with some of the same perks.

The reasons why I place loadmaster/boomer over crew chiefs are:

-You get treated much better being a operator. Mostly sleeping in a hotel or nice room.

-when the aircraft breaks, the crew chiefs may have to work all night to fix the aircraft (which I highly respect), while the crew heads to the bar.

The bottom line is that you can get enjoyment and satisfaction from many jobs. To enjoy the perks of some jobs you have to put more into the job. A guard/reserve crew chief has the luxury of only having to do the min required duty (1 weekend a month and 15 days of annual tour). A loadmaster requires much more.

Another great benefit of being a loadmaster is that if you have aspirations to be a pilot it is a great way to get your foot in the door. I did the loadmaster job for 6 years while going to school. My unit knew me, my reputation, and was more than willing to send me to UPT.

Crew chiefs can do the same, but there is no substitute for being a squadron member looking for advancement in the same squadron.

[Guest Rainman A-10]

Originally posted by F16PilotMD:

In the fighter world---Life Support, hands down.

Life support is an excellent choice but #2 behind Intel, especially if you want to be a pilot.

[Guest Deuce]

In my opinion being an enlisted specialist at a tanker unit, from my experience i would say a boomer is the best enlisted job available

boomer and loadmaster are probably similar though, they might both be of interest to you and worth checking out

[flyerpapa]

My kid is a crew cheif in a tanker unit. Being a college student he doesen't have the time to go the boomer route (have to fly 4 times a month, then some).

He loves working on the flight line and takes several flying trips a year with “his” plane during school breaks. He says if school commitments won’t allow him participate as enlisted aircrew he would rather be a grease monkey on the flight line until he graduates and goes for a pilot slot, rather than be confined to a non-flying Ops job (e.g. Intel, CP).

On a side note, when he flies, Momma sends baked treats for the crew. When the time comes, any “receptors” setting on the pilot selection board are sure to remember those.

[Guest TheBurt]

I know of a few crew chiefs that are now pilots, but far more loadmasters........ for the reasons stated in my earlier post and Hud Cripple's... loadmaster, booms, engineers require a lot more schooling, commitment and you are actually flying as a crew member in the squadron...... a pilot on the board may remember the cookies, but he'll probably remember his loadmaster saving his bacon by calling out a jink when the haji's jumped out of a van and started shooting at the plane on takeoff from a theatre near you.........

[Guest Deuce]

would a flight engineer be more beneficial than a loadmaster since you are more involved with the operation of the aircraft?

[Guest twinkle toes]

As far as intel and life support being good walk ins to a pilot slot, my unit hasn't hired any of them yet. I think sometimes they get on the pilots nerves with all the kissing butt. We have plenty of weapons crew chief and avionics pilots though, including our comander!

[Guest CrewDawg1]

As a current 16 crew chief I can only tell you how it has been for me. I would recommend it as a job. It allows you to gain some exposure to the pilots but not to much for you to get on their nerves as stated in the post above. Trust me they will find out about your work habits one way or another. DON’T BE A DIRTBAG!

Being a crew chief has been a fun job for me. We’ll start with the negatives. You will have times when you will be staying late doing an over-g inspection while on a great TDY. Sometimes while the pilots all head out to the bars , but sometimes they come out and ask for a speed handle. I am not sure how it is on active duty but most of our pilots are prior enlisted so they are pretty cool with us. If they make us stay late you can bet there will be waiting for us when we get done. You will work long days in the rain, heat, cold unless you go to phase dock (not a bad thing).

If you do go to phase dock most things are done inside, which is not always good. Example, in a undisclosed, reflective belt nazi infested base in the sandy region of the world, the jet sits in the part of the hanger that has the A/C exhaust blowing right on you while you work. Oh ya, that A/C is for all the office people in the hanger , not our break room!

The good things about being a crew chief, as stated before, you get a lot of face time with the pilots. When you go out to the bar they remember you and will buy you a which is good networking . When I was selected, I knew all the pilots on my board and most of them knew me.

You work with some great people and, if selected, will appreciate their hard work down the road. You will do a lot of drinking and some and will make a great time out of most of you TDY's and make some lifetime friends. The greatest thing about your job will be not only serving as a crew chief but also a Finance/MPF specialist .

Also, if selected, don't be that guy that just becomes a total POS and does not do any work. You are not a pilot yet, so continue to bust your a$$ as usualy until the day you leave. Noone likes the, FU I am out of here soon, guy.

Wow!!! Sorry for the dissertation, back to drinking!

[ 22. July 2006, 15:00: Message edited by: CrewDawg1 ]

[Guest wakebrdr142]

I am thinking about enlisting in an ANG unit. I would like a job that would most likely help with getting a pilot slot.

With some research on this site I have come up with intel, life support, and loadmaster.

The recruiter said those choices would be good but life support and intel is full. The recruiter also recommended armament and crew chief.

So, what are the opinions on these jobs for this situation?

Crew chief

Armament

Any other recommendations?

[ 06. December 2006, 21:26: Message edited by: wakebrdr142 ]

Edited March 1, 2007 by wakebrdr142

[MT near]

Id probbably go loadmaster. I was a crew cheif in a viper unit, and while I met the pilots I didnt really get to know them well. First choice would def be life support...but if thats gone, loadmaster still flies!!

[Guest wilco]

Command Post is okay. Make sure you volunteer for deployments and take a couple TDYs during your summers from school. You'll broaden your horizons (connections) across the ANG.

[PlanePhlyer]

Hey man...I'm now an active duty deuceLT, but I was an Air national Guard Weapons Loader on the A-10. It was AWESOME!! I went on sooo many TDY's (mostly because I volunteered for them, but a few were mandatory). I met alot of cool people and did some really interesting stuff. I met alot of pilots and made alot of connections. I finished school and wanted to fly for my life, so thats why I'm active duty. I had alot of buddies who were CrewChiefs and they really liked their jobs too. Weapons and Crewchiefs do alot of work together and they are both fun jobs. You'de probably enjoy either one.

What base is it and what planes do they have?

[Guest wakebrdr142]

PlanePhlyer,

Is a weapons loader the same as armament?

Would you say that the job would have given you an advantage with a pilot slot in that unit?

Thanks for the replies.

What does command post involve?

[ 07. December 2006, 22:35: Message edited by: wakebrdr142 ]

[Guest Ghost-Pilot]

I would go with Avionics, You learn everything about the flight deck/cockpit and meet the pilots in debrief...and alot of officers come outta Comm/Nav, GACS, ECM shops