Expert: James Bell - 7/16/2008

Question
How is it going James. Its me again from previous forums. Airman Jones, the whole wife and deployment question (lol funny now since i look at that question). But I ended up with C-17s, 6th AS, McGuire NJ. I guess the last BLM class in Altus had its perks. Anyways, I read a lot of previous questions as I'm sure many have and will. Well, with a little update on being a C-17 load, we all have 4 month deployments usually being in Qatar. With some being at Incirlik AB, TURKEY. The rotation is 4 every 16 months. Also, for the most part right now in time, we are usually gone about 10-15 days out of the month. Not bad at all. With the west coast doing pacific runs, and the east with the atlantic. For the most part for people that are going to cross train, Loadmaster Initial Qualification is a little easier for you then pipeliners...like myself. Basically because of military expirience. For the new people, going in being a loadmaster in general until you get assigned an airframe. Expect to do a lot of studying, A lot of things that you don't want to do, and a semi-rough time in Altus. Just remember that aircrew training is NOT easy. I emphasize the NOT. I had a couple of friends not make it. Also, start trying to make decisions without being told. I mean, your in line to running checklist on a multi million dollar aircraft. If something goes wrong, your the loadmaster and the pilots will listen to you. If you make a wrong decision then it affects the whole crew and mission. For some examples of missions we do here at McGuire, I've been to Germany, Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Spain, and France. Mainly taking supplies in for our peers. It is a very enjoyable career. BUT YOU WILL PUT YOUR TIME IN. If you are or plan on getting married, communication is key. Now its a lot easier then back in the day when John first started (no offense John lol) but we have computers and myspace, facebook, etc. Make sure they understand what you are getting into. My C-130 friends do 4 months on 4 months off deployments with missions in that off time. C-5s...they love their job. My last big thing is start remember math. Not calculus and trig or anything. But simple addition, mulitplication..and a little bit of algebra. It may sound funny, until your taking a test and cannot get the answer. Also, start learning to remember anything. I think that will help out. I remember so many numbers now because to me if you break it down, Numbers is the loadmasters job. Weights, Heights, Lengths, Overhang, Center of Gravity, Area. Numbers will become your best friend. So stay with it. Trust me there will be times in training you will want to quit but the payoff is HUGE. You will get to do so many things that you never thought you would do. Like, all them little nobs and switches in the cockpit of an airplane that you see. You will get to know them too! You wont be able to fly of course or anywhere close, but you will know the buttons. So good luck and maybe you will see me out in the system. Thanks James again. By the way, James has been my side mentor about this career since I got into the DEP program with the recruiter. Hes the guy to ask questions! About enlisted and basic aircrew ops that is!

Answer
Tyler -

Thank you for posting this information.  It's always nice to have a current perspective, as I retired from being a flight engineer in 2004, and hadn't done that loadmastering thing since 1987.  I will make sure this is posted to the public forum, as it will definitely be a great help to those looking for the same career opportunities and needing answers.

Thanks again.

James Bell