Expert: James Bell - 1/8/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello Mr.Bell,
 First I wanted to say that I appreciate the time and effort you set aside for everyone's questions. You give us extra information that is hard to come by. I even notice you constantly have to repeat yourself answering similar questions..that must be stressful.
 To cut to the chase, I just need to bring this pathology report of a small surgery from a long time ago to Jacksonville, FL to complete MEPS. I went to MEPS already and passed everything, but they needed that pathology report. I have had my mind set on Loadmaster, and I hear from many that have that MOS that it is a great job. I have run across a few things online while researching the job (I have been researching this job for some time now) and I don't like the view of the Loadmaster job from many other air force personnel. "Glorified stewardesses" is the basic term I find. I know they are probably just being harsh, but I would like a more prestigious title.
On another note, I noticed you said you left Loadmaster, with the choice of boom operator and flight engineer. I know you picked FE, but you recommended boom operator as well. I was looking through the links to find more of the specifics of boom operator, but couldn't find anything.
 Information such as training, locations, what to expect, etc. I am 20 years old and I will finish my AA degree in college right before I go to BMT most likely.
Thanks,
Shane



ANSWER: Shane -

First of all, I will point out that we do not have MOS's in the Air Force: We have AFSC's (Air Force Specialty Codes).  Here are a few links for the three aircrew jobs I can provide the most information:

Inflight Refueling Specialist (1A0x1)
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1a0x1.htm

Aircraft Flight Engineer (1A1x1)
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1a1x1.htm

Aircraft Loadmaster (1A2x1)
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1a2x1.htm

If you look on the last page of each of these links, you will see the text gives you the timeline and bases that each school is located.

I will point out that loadmaster and inflight refueling specialist (boom operator), are entry-level jobs available to first-time enlistees.  To get into the flight engineer career field, you are required to have prior experience in a list of specific "feeder" fields.  These fields include other aircrew fields (like load and boom operator), or certain aircraft maintenance fields.

You will note that a boom operator and loadmaster have the exact same job descriptions ... cargo, weight and balance, passenger management, etc., with the exception that the boom operator also does the inflight refueling.  This is a huge distinction and one where most of their training is focused.  You must have good coordination skills, and excellent color and depth perception.

As far as being "glorified stewardesses," yes, I remember hearing that one as well.  The bulk of your inflight duties revolves around passenger management, but that is the same for a boom operator.  But the word "glorified" includes a LOT of things you will never see a stewardess attempting, such as loading a clean-room NASA ready satellite, Atlas 3 rocket, or an M-1 tank onto your C-5.  If you do airdrop on the C-17, many of your Army passengers will depart the aircraft before you land.  Just remember that you get paid more to stay on the aircraft than the paratroopers get paid to jump off the aircraft (i.e., your flight pay is more than their jump pay).

If you are curious about the Flight Attendant career field (1A6x1), you can look that up at ...
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1a6x1.htm

The first thing that you should notice is that this is NOT an entry-level job.  You have to retrain from another career field.  You are required to have a Top Secret clearance.  Look at the bases of assignment and you will see this is a job flying on VIP aircraft, up to and including Air Force One.  This job is exposed to the upper echelon of ranking generals, ambassadors, heads of state, Presidential Cabinet members, Congress and the Senate.  If you want to refer to that job as "glorified stewardesses", then you are rubbing elbows with a very impressive list of people.

I hope this sheds more light on those three jobs.  As always, if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to write back.

Sincerely,
James Bell



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Sir!,
Very helpful as I expected. After reading that I am still eager to be a loadmaster. I enjoyed the slight humor when you were explaining the glorified part of the job.  
One more question, do you have any tips about getting that specific job when they are putting together my contract at MEPS? I should be going back shortly to swear in, and I hear that you don't have to put four or five job choices like the recruiter say, and that you can try to get a specific job in your contract. Are there any cons to that?

Sincerely,
Shane Hakimi

Answer
Shane -

Unfortunately, I can't give you any helpful insight for securing a particular job in the Air Force.  Back in my day I picked the specific career as I met the requirements, and that's the job I got.  The system has changed since then and now you pick your top choices and the military decides where you go.  Not the best way of doing things, but it gets the jobs filled.

Good luck, and let me know how things turn out.

Sincerely,
James Bell