Im in High School, Ive wanted to enlist as Aerial Gunner in the AF for the past couple years..Thats what I really want to do..But untill now I didnt really think about what to do AFTER the AF..I want to go 20 years, retire..You know, make an actual career and retire from the AF..But after that 20 years, or if I get out before then..What kind of Job could I do?..Also what are the promotion rates of the AF?..I know the Marines and the Army..but not the AF..
--Thanks
2006-09-26 08:32:09 · 10 answers · asked by I Hate Liberals 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
As others have said the promotion rate is slow but its not impossible. If you work at it you could shoot through the ranks pretty quick. I made SSgt at 4 years in.
As far as the job the key is to get your education. No matter what you do in the military your leadership and discipline that you learn will take you far. That and a college degree in what ever you decide will make you a good candidate for any civilian employer.
Now with Gunner. Yes it is a cool job but I would call and speak to someone that is a Gunner. Call Hurllbut Field or other bases that have Gunners and just ask them there opinon about the job. I would think they wouldnt have a problem answering your questions. Just know the job isnt all about shooting guns. There is a lot of inspecting and maintenance that follows with the job but most people dont think of the aspect of it.
2006-09-26 11:55:17 · answer #1 · answered by JB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I won't lie to you -- it's harder to get promoted in the Air Force than it is in any other branch of the service (this time around the promotion rate from E-4 to E-5 was about 18% and the promotion rate from E-5 to E-6 was about 12%). And I don't want to criticize your dreams of being an aerial gunner, but what would you do with that once you got out of the Air Force? If you want to go that route, have a plan for when you get out. You will have opportunities to go to school and get a degree while you're in the Air Force, so take advantage of them. You may also want to consider getting another job in the Air Force that would be more marketable in the civilian sector -- or, you could come in as an aerial gunner and then re-train after 3 years if you decide it's not for you. The important thing is you need to have something to fall back on when you get out of the Air Force, regardless of whether you only do 4 years or do 20+ and retire. Even if you do end up getting an Air Force job that will translate easily into the civilian sector, I still highly encourage you to go to college and get your degree. It won't guarantee you a good job on the outside, but it'll open doors that would otherwise be closed.
2006-09-26 15:41:32 · answer #2 · answered by sarge927 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you join the Air Force, go to school as well. Get your degree in anything you want. I retired after 20 years in the Air Force, Security Police and also received my Bachelors Degree. I an currently working with General Dynamics, and my degree was Computer Information Systems, however I am working in the Security arena.
2006-09-26 17:18:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What do you want to be when you grow up? Try to find something in the military to coincide.
Then while you're in, you can get your degree - have a whole second career while you get retirement from military and then when you retire from 2nd career - between both retirements you should be golden.
2006-09-26 17:42:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They make rank faster in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves than active Air Force. You could go 4 or 6 years active in Air Force, and then go into the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserves.
2006-09-26 18:09:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you do is continue your education while you are in the service, then you can do what ever you want to after retirement. After her first 6 years, my daughter finds that she only needs one additional credit hour for her Associates degree without ever setting foot in a collage classroom.
2006-09-26 15:38:32 · answer #6 · answered by tom l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im in the air force... and the promotion rate is SLOW compaired to the marines and army... during your 20yrs... you can actually earn a degree from the air force and or take college classes while you are in to help for your post-military career.
2006-09-26 15:47:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is not much demand for aerial gunners in civilian life....
Probably not that much in military life now either... most are computer controlled
2006-09-26 16:12:34 · answer #8 · answered by j H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
myabe you could become a cop after af.
2006-09-26 15:34:58 · answer #9 · answered by john s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have any military experience its VERY easy to get a job after you get out,
2006-09-26 16:35:12 · answer #10 · answered by AFwife 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋