Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/USAF Housing/Base Locations

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Expert: - 6/10/2008


Question
My Husband is an E-6 in the Airforce based out of Westover Ma. He was a Marine for 7 years where he toured twice in Iraq. We were discussing him going active duty and living in on base housing. We currently do not have any children but know the benefits. My question is: If my husband chooses to go Active duty, do he get to select where he is based out of or is this assigned to him without option. He is currently doing maintenance on C-5 Galaxy's. I just was uncertain if chosing a location would be an option. Thank you for all of your help and for serving our country.

Answer
Kelly -

There are only two operational bases for C-5's, and one training.  The training base is at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, and the two active duty operational bases are Travis AFB, California, and Dover AFB, Delaware.

When your husband becomes active duty, one of the things he fills out is a "dream sheet", an assignment preference form.  It's not called a dream sheet for nothing, as it often seems the desire of the Air Force always contradicts what assignment you actually get.

In actuality, the Air Force looks at the preferences your husband has selected for a base of assignment, and then matches that with the available openings at those bases, based on his rank and skill level.  If an opening is available in his job at a base he wants to go to, then the assignment is his.  If not, the Air Force puts him where he is needed most.  Just about every regulation you read dealing with active duty assignments always has the caveat "the needs of the Air Force come first."

Good luck and I hope the Air Force has the same vision as your husband.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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