You are here:

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Becoming a C-130 loadmaster in the National Guard

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/27/2007


Question
What does it take to cross training from one career field to another like time in grade or time in a certain location ?  What ASFAB scores are needed ?  The job looks awesome and I love to fly !!!

Answer
Greetings Daniel -

You are required to score a minimum of 57 on the General portion of the ASVAB to become a Loadmaster.  The career field is available as an entry level career, so you have no prerequisites to retrain into this job.  As per any military job, you are required to meet the minimum Time on Station and Time in Service to be eligible, plus any additional time if your previous job incurred an ADSC (active duty service commitment).

You can refer to the information about loadmasters at ...
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1a2x1.htm

I hope this answers your questions.  Don't hesitate to write back if you have any more.

Sincerely,
James Bell

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

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.