Expert: Rod Powers - 10/10/2007

Question
Where did you get your information from about the job requirements the Air Force supposedly has for potential prior service enlistees? Special Forces, Ranger, Pararescue, or linguist??? I take it you must be asked how they can get in to the Air Force on a daily basis to just brush off the people asking with your BS answer of those 4 jobs as the only possible way to get into the Air Force. I've been communicating with the local Air Force recruiters this month very frequently to keep up to date about the changes to the prior service program that is listed on the Air Force website they have noted on there as to be changing this month. Of course... you already knew that too right??? It is your job of course.

Answer
Hi Rick,

I communicate with recruiters (in all of the branches) all the time. As for the Air Force, I have six recruiters (two of them senior recruiting staff) who keep me apprised of relevant information about Air Force recruiting.

I have not yet heard (anything other than the "rumors" -- and I don't publish rumors -- just verified facts), about any changes to the Air Force prior service recruiting needs. However, it would not surprise me if any changes are issued sometime this month or next month. After all, it is the beginning of a new fiscal year, and quite often that's when recruiting needs are reassessed.

Two things lead me to believe that the Air Force *may* begin to accept more prior service applicants this year. The first is an announcement that the Air Force may not "downsize" as much as was first forecasted, and the second was a recent announcement that first-term enlistees won't be required to go on a waiting list for a CJR this fiscal year.

Remember, prior service applicants are accepted only if there are not enough people re-enlisting to fill available "career" slots. If the Air Force does not expect to have CJR waiting lists in the upcoming fiscal year, that means they probably expect there will be more reenlistment slots available "across the board" of AFSCs, and that -- in turn -- means there *might* be some more prior service slots available, as well.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com