Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/15/2009

Question
Can you explain more about the Historian Career Field in the USAF? Is it an enlisted position only, or do you have to have a degree to get in? What do the skill level numbers mean?

Answer
TJ,
Yes, there are both officer and enlisted jobs in the Historian career field.  To put it concisely, Officers write and Enlisted research.

This is not an entry-level job, meaning you don't join the Air Force and go directly into this career field.  This is because you must already have a working knowledge of the Air Force, it's history, organization, functions, and terminology.

The Historian career field is a "Special Duty".  This means you enter as an enlisted or officer in any field, and then apply later for this special duty.

For officers:  Entry into this field requires a Master’s degree, preferably in history or social sciences.   No special experience is required and no additional training.  The only other requirements are a demonstrated ability to write competently, precisely, and descriptively and you must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance because you will routinely deal with classified material.

For enlisted:  Entry into this specialty, completion of high school or General Educational Development (GED) equivalency is mandatory. Completion of college-level courses in history, English, speech, technical writing, and political science is desirable.

Skill level numbers for enlisted are as follows:
1-Level. Untrained. Designates individuals who are in basic training and/or technical school.
3-Level. Apprentice. The 3-skill level is awarded after graduation from technical school.
5-Level. Craftsman. The 5-skill level is awarded after a period of OJT, and completion of CDCs, after arrival at the first duty assignment. While it varies based on the complexity of the job, it takes most people about 18 months to earn their 5-skill level.
7-Level. Supervisor. When a person is promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-5), then enter into 7-level training. This is accomplished via OJT, and (usually) graduation from a 7-level job-school.
9-Level. Manager. Skill-level assigned to SMSgt and CMSgt.

So, for example, an enlisted person in a historian job would have an Air Force Speciality Code (AFSC) designated 3H0X1.  The X would be replaced based with the appropriate skill-level number,
such as 3H011, 3H031, 3H051, etc.

Officers skill have a similar number but it's not really a skill level.  The numbers 1-4 designate at what level you perform this job, e.g., 1 is at a Squadron, 2 is at a Group, 3 is at a Wing, and 4 is at a MAJCOM.

Because of my advanced degree in History, every year, throughout my entire career, I have been recruited by the history office to 1. become a Historian, or 2. teach at the A. F. Academy.  Although I love history, I refused both jobs because I wanted to travel and see the world (which I have done extensively).  A historian usually works at Maxwell AFB, AL for their entire career, and an Academy instructor is stuck at Colorado Springs for their entire career.  This may be desirable to some, but not to me.  I can't stay in one place very long.  I've had 15 assignment in 30 years... just the way I like it.

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but my computer has been in the shop for repairs.

Good luck in whatever you choose,
Colonel H