Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Air Force Loadmaster

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Expert: - 1/6/2006


Question
Hello.  I am considering joining the USAF as a loadmaster.  My question is how is it determined which airframe you get to fly on.  I am really interested in becoming a loadmaster on a C-17.
Is there a competetive process for assignments (i.e. class rank at tech school)or is it simply a random process.

Thanks.
CW

Answer
Greetings CW -

I can't remember the official name or number of the "form" you fill out, but it is often referred to as the "dream sheet."  It is your assignment preference sheet.  There you will select the bases or locations you want to be stationed.  If you want to be on C-17's, they are located at Charleston AFB, SC, McChord AFB, WA, and McGuire AFB, NJ.

I seem to remember filling my dream sheet out either toward the end of Basic Training, or shortly after I got to my first tech school.

Of course, the best thing would be to have your recruiter include a guaranteed base of preference in your enlistment contract.  That way you would know before hand where you are going.  Other than that, you are throwing the dice.

When I enlisted, I wanted to fly C-130s in North Carolina.  Of course, the Air Force saw fit to assign me to C-5s in California.  Poetic justice, but the assignment worked out better than I figured.

That's about the best information I can offer you.  I hope this provides you with something useful.  If you need any more information I can provide, don't hesitate to write back.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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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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