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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Loadmaster training
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Question
How long is the entire "pipeline" from BMT to the time you get your Permanent duty station if you are a C-17 loadmaster?
Keith -
I can tell you how long it took me, but realize training schedules have changed since my day. I entered Basic Training in late February, went to my first tech school in early April. I finished the first school and was sent to my first PDS in late June ... roughly four months after starting Basic. But, realize they have added an aircrew indoctrination course to make sure those wanting to get into the flying career fields are actually suited for the demands the career field will make on them.
After that I went to my second tech school, graduating in late August, then started mission ready qualification training at my base. That took approximately six months, and I was fully qualified in February, roughly a year after entering the military. I didn't go to survival school while in the pipeline due to funding cuts at that time, so that can add another two to three weeks to your overall training.
I hope I gave you a good idea of what you can expect. Good luck and welcome to the military. I think you will find the loadmaster careerfield to be an awesome experience and the C-17 is a great plane to fly on.
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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