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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Loadmaster and Married
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Question
Hello,
I recently joined the Air Force and have been assigned as an aircraft loadmaster. I hear that they are gone form home the majority of time. I am however engaged and worried that my career field will keep me away from home and put a strain on my marriage. Are many loadmasters married and is it hard to keep a healthy marriage in this career field? Also, what is the most time I will most likely be gone (for all 3 airframes) excluding deployments? Thanks!
EJ -
Welcome to the loadmaster career field. Although I'm sure you have many apprehensions and questions right now, I think you will find it a most rewarding career field. There are very few jobs you can have in the military that will give you the opportunity to travel all over the world as much.
I don't have access to all the deployment rates like I used to when I was on active duty, but I can refer you to the following site ...
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/afjobs/deployments/bl1a2.htm
Realize that your primary job is to be a part of an aircrew. You job is to fly, and planes fly all over. I flew missions as short as two days, and as long as three weeks (not counting deployments). I averaged 350 flight hours a year and off-station time varied between 85 and 115 days a year.
I hope this gives you some useful information.
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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