I'm 18 and still a senior in high school, I signed up for their early enlistment program. Last week I took the ASVAB, scored a 91 and qualified for Air Traffic Controller and requested that as my job, did my oath, and signed up for 6 years. So what should I be expecting once I go into basic, and what are the chances of me getting ATC as my job? Also my best friend signed up with me, requested Air Traffic Control and we've basically done everything together so far, what are the chances we'll be able to stay together once we're in? Thanks in advance.

Congrats on your 91. More career choices open up for you when you have a high asvab score.

When you sign up for your job, whatever you do, don't sign up for anything that says "Open" or "General" on it. IE: Open General, Open Mechanic, Open Administration, anything. Steer clear of these words, as they will ruin you. Be 100% sure that you have a contract in air traffic controller.

As for the chances of you two getting stationed together...i wish you the best luck with that. I mean, theres a guy I met in basic, we both had totally different jobs (I'm Security Forces, he's in Supply and Equipment Contracting or something), totally different tech schools, and we ended up at the same base. Theres only one other person in my basic that's in the same base as I am, and it was a basic training flight of >50 people, and a good number of them were doing the same job as me.

It's really up to chance. If a base somewhere is looking specifically for more than one new airman coming in as an air traffic controller, then consider yourself lucky.

As for basic, expect perfection. I mean a LOT of perfection. I'm not going to tell you everything about it, as you can sure find plenty of AF BMT guides and stuff online. Not only that, I went in when basic was 6.5 weeks. It's 9.5 now, I think, and you get the new ABU uniforms issued. I had to buy mine, I got BDUs.

I also hear you'll be doing M9 training in bmt, as well as EMT certification.

So do you have any idea when I will find out when I get ATC or not? The guy who showed me all the jobs said there's a high chance of me getting it if I request it, is he reliable at all?

You will sign (physically sign) a contract with your name on it and the job that you will be getting. The only way you'll be going in "hoping" that you get the job you want is if you sign something saying you'll be going open anything.
Ask about anything your recruiter gives you to sign. If he says "this is the job you'll be signing up for", STOP and READ it. If your recruiter starts wanting you to hurry up cause he's got shit to do, tell him to stop and give you time to read it. Take your time, if you just read it and not understand it, thinking you do, then you're wrong.

If you havent been reading ANYTHING he gives you to sign, you're wrong. Theres a whole lot of kids who just decide to sign shit and not read anything, then thats how they end up all upset in the military.
Like this whiny bitch I knew who was like "my recruiter said I'd get an electrician job!!" when he went in Open General and got Security Forces. Dumbass signed up for SecFo in the first place.

You'll either be signing up for this at your recruiter's place or at MEPS. Just be very cautious.

Just remember that you'll be SIGNING IN the job you'll be doing in a contract. Look for these two things on your contract:

-Air Traffic Control

-1C1X1 (Where X can be 0 or 3. This is Air Traffic Control job code.)

And you'll be good.

Alright cool, yea I've been reading everything I've signed so far, it's just sexual harassment and I've never done drugs bullshit, but I'll be sure to look for the stuff you said when I sign the actual contract. Thanks for the advice.

I would have gone with Navy if I were you. In fact, I did go Navy. They have bigger bonuses and the job I want to go into. I got a 93 on my ASVAB and Im going into nuclear engineering. When I get out, I will almost definitely be a 24 year old making $100,000 a year.

Air Traffic Control should make just as much, if not more, plus it sounds easier. And yeah, you got a bonus but I'd rather have my own apartment on an open base where I can still leave and have contact with the outside world rather than a cramped up ship. Navy was my next choice though, Air Force just seemed better suited for me, considering I live pretty close to Lackland already and my best friend is doing it.

Air Force basic is rather stressful. My brother did Army basic training, then further training for Infantry; when we compared our basic training stories, even he admitted that his basic was like a cake-walk of non-stress compared to what I received.

The one thing that stuck out for me was the mass amounts of head-games the instructors play. They will make you feel like the biggest piece of shit in the world daily; but somehow also give you moments of extreme glory. The PT tests (they call it PRT, now) are pretty intense; the Air Force is huge on PT now.

They are going to give you this book, you will have to read it and memorize a lot of it in order to take this test they give you near the end of your BMT; it's an easy test, but they sure to stress you out about it.

Remember your reporting statement: "Sir, Trainee/Airman NAME reports as ordered; Sir, may I do this."

And yeah, tons of perfection. Nothing you do will be perfect enough. Attention to detail is the primary key. Expect to stay up late folding your clothes perfectly; doing everything perfect. Just be on your toes the entire time to avoid any B.S.

Out of everything, though, Air Force basic is a LOT of fun. I still remember mine and I laugh about a lot of stuff I remember. It is a blast, and a very unique experience of a life-time.

Marching down the bomb-run for your graduation in front of thousands of people - including your family - will be one of the most proud and memorable moments of your life.

I wouldn't worry much about NOT getting put into an ATC slot. ATC is a high demand career field, and a lot of people wash out of the tech school. I hear it's about a 50% washout rate.

Other than that, basic training is a bit longer and harder, and your tech school is a long one. I believe ATC tech school is still at Keesler AFB Mississippi. Not much to do down there, especially if you're underage, but you'll do yourself a favor if you use your free time to study, and pass your classes.

Yeah I heard the washout rate is really high, but I do pretty good in highschool and I'm actually getting paid for this so I'm sure I'll do fine. And yea, fuck Mississippi, that's the main thing I'm not looking forward to, I've never been there but it seems like I'm gonna be bored out of my mind there.

Air Traffic Control should make just as much, if not more, plus it sounds easier. And yeah, you got a bonus but I'd rather have my own apartment on an open base where I can still leave and have contact with the outside world rather than a cramped up ship. Navy was my next choice though, Air Force just seemed better suited for me, considering I live pretty close to Lackland already and my best friend is doing it.

Youre only on a ship 6 months every 2 years. The rest is on base, at least for carriers. Or so Im told.

Yea like I said, the navy still seems like it kicks ass, air force just seems like the best for me though. Thing is I'm doing 6 years so if I end up not liking it I'm fucked.

I would have gone with Navy if I were you. In fact, I did go Navy. They have bigger bonuses and the job I want to go into. I got a 93 on my ASVAB and Im going into nuclear engineering. When I get out, I will almost definitely be a 24 year old making $100,000 a year.

HA!!

Don't count on it. Just because your qualified doesn't mean you'll get the job. You actually have to apply effort, get the appropriate degrees, earn your tenure, and then pray to God the economy will allow it.

Quit falling for the dream world the recruiters are flashing you. Be realistic now, the world isnt happy and full of marshmellows. First off, you need to actually come back for that crap to happen. While the odds of you getting killed in the Navy are low, shit happens. People fuck up on their jobs that result in others being killed, and terrorists will successfully denonate a bomb, missiles will be fired at the ships etc.

http://www.historyguy.com/attacks_on_us_naval_ships.htm

Another thing: You actually have to pass the classes. I watched soo many hopes and dreams be squashed during A and C School. This one guy in the class behind me, made it to the last test in C School, after nearly 6 months of hard work. He failed. They sent him to the fleet as a different rate lmao. Good luck trying to find a job that pays $100,000 after six years as a boatswans mate (BM) or a Storekeeper. (SK)

As for the differences between Navy - Air Force. The difference is promotion rate and standard of living. Which is more important to you, money, or living comfortably? Fact is, overall the Navy promotes faster than Air Force, who doesnt promote as fast but has higher living conditions.

Navy deployments will vary. I have a buddy on ship duty right now, and he's on the mainland for six months, out to sea for 6.

As before you know it, those six years will be up.

TL/DR: Be fucking realistic, and quit being dreamy. The worlds full of opportunities, you either sit on your ass, or you seize them, but dreaming doesnt do shit cept waste the time you could be using to act on those dreams.

This is from someone currently in the USAF.

Your tech school will be @ Keesler AFB in Mississippi. Make DAMN SURE you look over your contract to see it is kosher. Also, DO NOT, DO NOT WASH OUT. You wash out of that career filed you can expect to wind up in a shit career like Security Forces or Vehicle Operations (where i'm at, not by choice; STAY AWAY FROM VEHICLE OPS!!!!!!!!!!)


Quoting soul flayer "ATC is a high demand career field, and a lot of people wash out of the tech school. I hear it's about a 50% washout rate."

When you are 3-level skill qualified, you WILL NOT be allowed to wear your function badge until you are spun up on your CDC's, your core tasks, and your 5-level training. Then you may wear it. It's something of a tradition until AF Pentagon caught onto it and made it the norm acorss the board.

When you get to Keesler AFB, count on being in the phase program. Basically;
Phase 1; uniform 24/7, not allowed to leave the base or in dorms
Phase 2; you can only wear civvies after work on fridays and on weekends, and you can leave base on weekends BUT only in blues
Phase 3; More of 2, only you have a 2300 curfew on Sunday
Phase 4; No restrictions

Also, make sure your dorm room is SHIT HOT, they're not as bad as BMT but they do want you to look nice. In Phase 1, you will use issued linens, however in phase 2 & above you may use your own and can decorate your room as long as it is tasteul and not offensive. And you may use your own POV.

whats wrong with security forces?:confused:
what exactly do they do that makes it so hated?:confused:

We're just treated the most like shit, is all. By everyone else.

As in the civilian world, everyone seems to automatically antagonize "cops", no matter the situation. We're the ones who do the security procedures, who search you and your shit when you come into a restricted area, who will put you in handcuffs if you get caught drinking underage, who will be the one coming to look for you when you decide one day you want to not come to work.

We're about the only career in the Air Force where you'll find yourself standing outside in extreme conditions for 12 hours straight, securing a perimeter or aircraft or something with a rifle.

Not saying its a shit job, I'm saying it takes someone very motivated and dedicated to keep up with a job like that. There are a lot of people in SF who get discharged because they can't handle it, I've seen it.

Just know that when you're in SF, you won't be in an office building or a maintenance garage. You'll most likely find yourself outside.

If you stay committed long enough, you can end up working topside patrols, actual _police_ functions. Driving squad cars, hitting the beat, you know? There's also that chance at working OSI, Office of Special Investigations. Think of that as the Air Force's FBI or CIA. After 2 years, you can apply to work as a dog handler with K9 teams, or CATM at the firing ranges.

It gets better if you're willing to wait a while, and in the end it really pays off, not only with job experience when you get out, but while you're in, you can start working with those college credits you get from SF tech school. I'm a handfull of credits away from a bachelors in criminal justice, JUST from SF's tech school.

So yeah, it has some great benefits for fantastic job experience when you get out, and even better if you decide to stay in, but it's not for everyone.

Air Traffic Control should make just as much, if not more, plus it sounds easier. And yeah, you got a bonus but I'd rather have my own apartment on an open base where I can still leave and have contact with the outside world rather than a cramped up ship. Navy was my next choice though, Air Force just seemed better suited for me, considering I live pretty close to Lackland already and my best friend is doing it.

Where do you live? I live like a mile south of Lackland.

Conroe (about 30 minutes north of Houston), it's still pretty far away but of the bases I've looked at Lackland seems the closest.

I'm 18 and still a senior in high school, I signed up for their early enlistment program. Last week I took the ASVAB, scored a 91 and qualified for Air Traffic Controller and requested that as my job, did my oath, and signed up for 6 years. So what should I be expecting once I go into basic, and what are the chances of me getting ATC as my job? Also my best friend signed up with me, requested Air Traffic Control and we've basically done everything together so far, what are the chances we'll be able to stay together once we're in? Thanks in advance.

You will go to Keeseler AFB and get no sleep during the week. You will be in a phase program that will dictate that you will wear your uniform with a black backpack carrying your wetty AT ALL TIMES. You will be required to come back to your dorm at 2200 on the weekends for "accountability". When you phase up you get to stay out until 2400, then when you reach the final phase you finally get to stay out all night if you wish. Be ready for two weeks of briefings you've already heard. SIGN UP FOR NOTHING THAT CONFLICTS WITH SCHOOL. If you can handle being an airman leader, have at it.

You will be assigned to 334th. They call themselves "The Gators". There's a short Hispanic SSgt there that tries to be an MTI, don't let him get to you, he's cool if you stay on point.

The room you will stay in is made for two people. Roomies get text messages all goddamn night. Rooms will be inspected every week, regardless of whatever they tell you. Keep it clean, keep it clean.

The Vandenberg community center was under renovation while I was there. It's still the same, just more ways for you to spend money.

PT 3 times a week. WEAR WHITE SOCKS! They're anal about WHITE SOCKS.

There are Sailors and Marines there, DON'T FUCK WITH THE MARINES - they might be Weathermen, but they're still Marines. Be nice.

Now, onto ATC:

You will start school at around 0600 - be downstairs at 0445 or so for morning acountability. Get used to it.

They start you off in Fundamentals. You'll get your Joint Aviation Administration Order 7110.65 book.


http://www.faa.gov/search/?q=7110.65

Download a copy and read it.
Download a copy and read it.
Download a copy and read it.

You'll be introduced to the material and tested frequently, with progress checks every morning. Don't make enemies in your class, you'll be studying with them for at least two hours a night.


They want you to be the type of guy that can continue a pattern while telling the tower bitch to call for a scraper because SSgt Snuffy got splattered across the tower's window by a AG missile. You'll see what I mean.


When you make it through Fundamentals, you will go to the simulators. The instructors are assholes, the scenarios are confusing, and you'll want to smack that civillian in the face for spitting on you, but you must maintain your bearing. Depending on what they decide, you might go to Tower or RADAR. Going through a tower simulator does not guarantee you will be a tower operator at your duty station. Ha ha.

Air Traffic Control school has a wash of approximately 80%. Does that scare you? It won't for long. If you stay on your paperwork and pay attention, you'll be on your way before you know it. Good luck and email me if you want:

Captain.Kaboom.RAH66@gmail.com

Thanks that will help me be a lot more prepared. Btw how do you know all this are you ATC and would you recommend that over other jobs?

Thanks that will help me be a lot more prepared. Btw how do you know all this are you ATC and would you recommend that over other jobs?

I was in the school long ago but I took a reclass offer and went to vehicle maintenance. The money is there, but most likely you'll do 10 hours a day. Imagine being "in the zone" on a game of Tetris on the highest difficulty for 10 hours - on CRACK. If you can handle that, you're gold. I just didn't want to, and I wasn't the only one in my class.

Damn, that sounds tough. I still want to try it though, are there any downsides to taking the reclass option besides starting school over?


EDIT: Also, since your working 10 hours instead of the regular 9 (I think it's 9) do you get paid that little bit extra or is it still the same?

Damn, that sounds tough. I still want to try it though, are there any downsides to taking the reclass option besides starting school over?


The main problem with reclassing is that you have to take what they offer you. The vast majority of the time, the offers will be critically-manned AFSC's. These are jobs that there are a shortage of people for. Your aptitude will also play a role as to which choices you may or may not have; your ASVAB scores, along with input from your instructors will be taken into account, when deciding which AFSC to reclass you into.

For example, if you wash out, the only AFSC's you may have a choice to go into, would be Security Forces, and Services (cook, mortician, etc). There are also some pretty cool jobs that are critically-manned, like what I am, a 2E2. I knew of quite a few people in my tech school, who washed out of linguist AFSC's, and ended up getting 2E2. There's really no telling what you'll end up doing. They will ask you if you really want to be in the AF, even if it means you'll be doing a not-so-cool job. Even then, it's all what you make of it, regardless of which AFSC you're in.

I'm not entirely clear on the reclassing process, as I never went through it, so there may be some inaccuracies, and some things missing. I'm going by what I saw happen to others. My AFSC also has a somewhat high washout rate, so I've seen plenty people fail (literally, 1/4 of my original class graduated with the rest of us).

Damn, that sounds tough. I still want to try it though, are there any downsides to taking the reclass option besides starting school over?


EDIT: Also, since your working 10 hours instead of the regular 9 (I think it's 9) do you get paid that little bit extra or is it still the same?

You get what they give you. I volunteered to be a cop, a linguist, a tech controller and I got vehicle mechanic, it just depends on what is needed. I've heard of some cases where if they find out you came from another career they treat you like a failure - even if you didn't "fail". This hasn't happened to me. Depending on how long your enlistment is, you can cross-train later on.

You do not get paid by the hour, you get paid by your grade. It's a salary that is based upon rank and other circumstances such as marital status, location, and sometimes your job (Air Traffic Controllers get Special Pay). I'm an E-3 so I get paid around $1580.00 a month; however I'm also in Alaska, which is considered an overseas duty station and entitles me to another $340.00 a month. However they give you a place to live, food, and a job.