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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Joining The Air Force
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Question
I am interested in Joining the Air Force I am not filmier with any process at all! I love heights and I want to serve my country. I am a single male but interested on how pay works for the Airforce. Do I get a signing bonus? (if so about how much just looking for a ball park number) Do I get paid while I am in Boot Camp (again about a monthly ball park number) and when I got out about how much do I make? I just want to get idea so I can start a budget and planing...
Ryan -
I can't venture a guess as to any sort of "signing bonus", as these things change faster than I can keep up. I know that certain critical career fields have reenlistment bonuses, which is calculated based on your rank, years of reenlistment and a formula for how critical the job is.
On the pay side, you start drawing pay from the day you enter Active Duty. You would need to check with a recruiter to see what the current pay scale is, as Congress approves and changes it each fiscal year. You enter as an E-1 (Airman Basic) and progress from there. The first few promotions are automatic and based on time (and not getting into trouble). Once you reach the rank of Senior Airman (E-4), then you start testing for promotions. There are two tests: PFE and SKT. The PFE (Promotional Fitness Exam) covers general Air Force knowledge: History, structure, customs and courtesies, dress and appearance, etc. The SKT (Specialty Knowledge Test) is based on your actual AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code), or your job.
I hope this answers your question.
Sincerely,
James Bell
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Answers by Expert:
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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