AboutJames 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
Question Okay, so I'm thinking about joining the Air Force in August as a firefighter. However, I tried marijuana twice at the end of February. I don't plan on doing it again, of course, but I'm worried that it will hinder my enlistment. Should I be worried about not being able to join the AF under this career field in my position?
Answer Alex -
I hate questions like this. What you are really asking is "I did drugs and I want to know if I can get away with it?" If you show up positive on a drug test, it will not "hinder" your chances, it will completely eliminate them. All the military branches take drug use very seriously. Simply put, if you've done them, the military doesn't want you.
Drugs only stay in your system for a certain amount of time. Depending on when you have your drug testing done for enlistment, it may not show up. You may get away with it. But, in all honesty, having done drugs twice before, can you say you won't do it again? Only you can answer that.
If you don't ever do drugs again, I wish you the best of luck on a successful and prosperous military career. If you do drugs again and you are in the military, you will most likely get caught, in which case your military career will come to a very abrupt and complete end.
