Expert: James Bell - 8/7/2008

Question
Dr Mr. Bell,
I am currently in step to join the Air Force and have an appointment to go to MEPS next week. What I'm wondering is what is the Air Force's need for loadmasters? It sounds like a wonderful job that many people enjoy. My recruiter I'm afraid isnt all that knowledgeable with regards to the various jobs and requirements. I'll speak with the counselor down at MEPS to get a guaranteed job as a Loadmaster. What I'm wondering though is the demand for the specific job? In addition to that question how long(if you know) would I wait to head to basic training? Thank you for all of your years of service and for your assistance today.

Answer
Alexander -

Hmmm ... wow, so what you are actually asking is "tell me everything you know about being a loadmaster."  That's a tall order to fill.  I can give you two things right off the bat ...

Here is a link that will give you the technical job description.  That way you know what the job entails from a mechanical standpoint.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1a2x1.htm

Next, instead of me retyping pages of paragraphs on the loadmastering career, I would suggest you look back over my past answers.  I've got several out there and you can get the big picture from that.  Also be sure to read my flight engineer answers because, although there are mechanical differences in the job itself, many aspects of aircrew life are the same regardless of which job you do.

As for the demand, most aircrew fields tend to remain at the critical level for manning.  I can't give you specific numbers as I have been out of the military for a while now, but they never seemed to meet their manning goals when I was in.  The good side of that is, I have never known anyone involuntarily retrained out of the loadmaster field and forced into another.  On the other hand, that makes getting out if you don't like it more difficult.  The only way you can leave a critical field is to retrain into one that is even more critical.

I hope this gives you a better idea of what you are getting yourself into.  If you have any questions that you did not see answered in some of my previous posts, don't hesitate to write back.

Sincerely,
James Bell