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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/reserve ang loadmaster
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Question
I asked you a question previously, and now have a question about the air national guard or air force reserve loadmaster. I know this job is available now, but i know it is generally one weekend a month, 2 weeks a year thing. If you are a loadmaster is there anyway to work more than that or even make it a full time thing.Also do you get to travel to a lot of different places, like in active air force. I dont understand how you could do the loadmaster thing all in 2 days? Then my next question is say a pilot slot opens up in the air reserve or ang, could I apply for it, or is there a certain amount of time you need in your job.
I know this is a lot, but your the expert and I know you have a lot of good information to offer.
Joe -
Despite being a Reservist or Guardsman, I know several people who make it as much of a full-time job as possible. Most of the non-operations, administrative fields can do the one weekend a month. You show up at the base and do a couple of days duty in the job in which you were trained. But aircrew is different in that, to do your job, you need to fly somewhere, and that usually means across the states or overseas. There are occasionally short stateside trips, but those aren't to plentiful.
In short, if you want to serve more and fly more, you will definitely have the opportunity to do so.
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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