Expert: Rod Powers - 9/22/2009

Question
Good day Sir.

I am going into the AF Active Duty with a Guaranteed Job Contract. The job that I had picked, and got, was 2A - Aerospace Maintenance. So to get to my question, I would LOVE to become a Airborne Crew Chief, and then after a few years (Or in till i qualify), become a Flight Engineer. SO my question is, what do I need to do to become a Crew Chief? I have been told that the job I have been selected for is basically a Mechanic for large Aircraft. I was told that the Airborne Crew Chief’s are selected during Tech School  (They select the top scores). Is this true?

So, How do I become a Airborne Crew Chief in the shortest period of time? Can I somehow become one during Tech School? And, How long would you say I would need to be in this field before I could become a Flight Engineer?

My ultimate goal is to get into a Commissioning program and become either a Fight Engineer Officer or Intelligence Officer.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

-Matt

Answer
Hi Matt,

I'm not exactly sure what you mean? The Air Force doesn't have "Airborne Crew Chiefs." Crew chiefs in the Air Force is not a flying position. Sometimes, crew chiefs, get to go along on what the Air Force calls an "incentive flight," but they don't routinely fly aboard Air Force aircraft.

You don't have a "guaranteed job," but rather a "guaranteed career field." There are 16 Air Force AFSCs (jobs) that fall into the 2A career field (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjobmaint.htm). During basic training, you'll be told your actual AFSC, which will be based on your preferences, and (most of all) the current "needs of the Air Force."

If you are selected for AFSC 2A3X3, 2A5X1, or 2A5X2, you will be a "crew chief." In the Air Force, a "crew chief," is the person ultimately responsible for maintenance on a particular aircraft. In other words, if the aircraft that you're assigned to as a "crew chief" is broken, you make sure it gets repaired (by either fixing it yourself, or making sure it is scheduled for maintenance by the appropriate specialist's shop).

Anyone in a 2A career field can apply to re-train into flight engineer (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1a1x1.htm). Generally, for first-term re-training in the Air Force, you re-train in conjunction with a re-enlistment agreement, after completing your first term of service (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcetrng/a/afretraining.htm).

For more information about the US Military, feel free to visit my US Military Information website at http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com