I can definately take good jokes and busts and love to crack them too so I'm not worried about my co enlistees who have "manlier" jobs busting on me while I bust back all in good fun. But is there a more serious reason why I should not try to get an administrative desk job if that's what I want to do in the air force? Will I be looked down upon by my superiors as a some sort of sorry excuse for a man by being a man, with a administrative desk job in the air force who is qualified for much more physically of "tougher" jobs?
I'm not trying to start anything with any men in the military with desk positions. I'd like to here from you guys the most. What is your experience like as far as how you are looked at as being a man in the military with an administrative desk job? Is it weird or is it cool? How did you get that behind the desk job? Is there lots of competition for these jobs? Or are they reserved for mostly women? Thanks
2007-03-31 10:11:03 · 14 answers · asked by World Expert 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
P.S. The only reason i'm asking this type of question is because I know my asvab will show that i'm probably not qualified for anything like a mechanic, electric, or computer type. I just really lack the educational background to qualify for any of those sorts of jobs.
But while in the military, I plan on doing college at any spare moments I get so that I can eventually do something in Electronics or Engineering after my services.
It's just too bad I didn't really plan for my future and always took school for granted. I never followed rules and never took anything, especially school, seriously. Now I feel somewhat stuck. So please don't bash me...it's not that I don't want to do any of the cool jobs...I just don't have the academic or practical education that would expand my job opportunities in the air force...joining is all kind of a sudden decision I made in hopes of finally giving myself some direction in life that i've needed since I was a kid...
2007-03-31 10:20:27 · update #1
p.s. i appreciate all the feedback i'm getting so far...
2007-03-31 10:21:48 · update #2
Will you be looked down at by your superiors for being in a admin job ??
Nope, because your superiors are also in admin jobs.
Will you be looked down on by maintenance ( MMS, FMS, AMS OMS) and SF airmen?
Yes , you will be. Atleast until they need your help fixing a pay or admin problem. Then they will be super nice to you.
You have to understand, different squadrons have their own barracks. So you will generally not be socializing with airmen in different squadrons.
Notice I said generally, there is no rule against it, but usually you associate and socialize with people you work with everyday.
And most administration jobs in the Air Force are held by men, just like most every other job in the Air Force is held by men.
The Air Force has very few jobs that women aren't allowed in. there are no quote " womens " jobs in the Air Force. Maybe nurses, but thats about it.
2007-03-31 17:53:08 · answer #1 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never seen anyone give or receive anything more than gentle ribbing with regard to front-line jobs vs. support jobs. Those guys on the front line know what they do, are very confident in themselves, and don't need to put others down... they APPRECIATE the work the supply line folks and the mechanics and engineers do to make their lives easier when it's time to fight... or make it safer... or more pleasant when they return to camp. So don't ever feel you're less-than anything or anyone else... EVERY job is critical, and they all know it, from day one!
Second, check with your local recruiting office and find out when the practice ASVAB is. It's not an intelligence test... or a "how well did you do in school" test.. .it's an aptitude test. If you're interested in electronics, then I recommend you hold out, take a 1-semester class at a local Junior college (for something less than $50, probably) and get your math scores up as high as you can. That should make you eligible for most of the engineering/computer/mechanical MOS's. Also, check with a recruiter so you know what the minimums are. Take the practice ASVAB... knowing the actual ASVAB is a little harder, so you probably won't do quite as well... (nobody does, don't sweat it!) and see what MOS's you qualify for. If it's not what you really want to do, then take that 1-semester math class at your local community college. It will be worth it!
2007-03-31 18:43:47 · answer #2 · answered by Amy S 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't worry about what other people think.
You are wrong in saying that you don't have the capibilities to do anything than a desk job though. You go to school to learn your job.
Another thing you should be aware of is that even if you have a "manly" job if they need you behind a desk, well guess what that's where you are going to be. The same could be said about you having a desk job and there being a need for a "manly" man-you will go into that field. You are always going to be a soldier first. Your specialty is just a perk.
2007-03-31 18:12:48 · answer #3 · answered by Gilla 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I took a finance manager job in the army and I ended up doing convoys and force protection in Iraq, even about to head to the border. You will hear desk chair ranger jokes, but you have to remember we have to go through some of the infantry training and be responsible for important documents and money. Just like you , I used the opportunity to get my degree in business. However, I am switching to Military Police as soon as I finish OCS just for the challenge.
2007-03-31 20:24:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My husband took a desk job and his job is just as important as anyone elses. Dont worry about what other people think. If you want to join, take the job that is most pleasing to you and what you think is your calling. Good luck
2007-03-31 18:28:15 · answer #5 · answered by AspynnsMommy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are lots of men with desks jobs just like there are lots of women with jobs loading bombs and building bombs...its not about your gender its about what your qualifications are..why would you worry about a desk job? every job doesn't fit every person..you have the same opportunities as the next person you have to know your own career field to be able to make the stripe when you start to advance by testing
2007-03-31 17:24:01 · answer #6 · answered by bailie28 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everyone jokes about everything and everyone else in the military... it's a part of the culture. No matter what you do people will joke on you. The job you get is based on your scores and the jobs that are open when you goto MEPS.
2007-03-31 17:44:16 · answer #7 · answered by tiramisu238 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why? Not everyone can qualify to be a pilot, and there's lots of admin work that needs doing to keep the birds in the air.
2007-03-31 17:17:16 · answer #8 · answered by Dave_Stark 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Air Force is one of the more safer services. Unless you fly or are part of a ground crew, you likely will have a desk job.
2007-03-31 17:19:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Someone has to do the desk jobs or the troops can't function
2007-03-31 17:14:33 · answer #10 · answered by Ferret 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋