Expert: James Bell - 1/24/2007

Question
Good day, James:
My name is A1C Carlos Paredes.  I am an Electrician stationed at Ramstein AB, Germany.  I like the career field that I am in, and it is rewarding, but I want something more exciting, and I was looking into cross training into a Loadmaster, especially for either a C-17 or C-5 aircraft.  I've been in the Air Force for a year now.  My question is, what types of training is there and the requirements to become a Loadmaster.  I would like to know what goes on in the Survival and Water training.  Also, if there are any websites on more information on becoming a Loadmaster.  Thank you very much for your time!

Answer
Greetings Carlos -

There are many requirements to be on flight status.  You must have the required hearing and vision, along with passing a Class III flight physical.  The flight medicine office at Ramstein will be able to tell you the specific requirements.

You also need to have the required time on station and time in service.  I think it's 36 months required in service before you are eligible for retraining, but you would have to check with your MPF to verify the actual numbers.

As far as being a loadmaster, I enjoyed it a lot when I flew on C-5s.  I changed over to flight engineer when I flew on C-141s.  I know many loadmaster friends who switched over to the C-17.  I'm sorry I don't have any web links for you to look at, but I found the career field very rewarding.  You got to fly to a different place every day, and you got to see so much more of the world, but didn't have to stay their for weeks, months, or years.

Training consists of two months of basic loadmaster training, where you learn the essentials of your job: weight and balance.  You learn how to load an aircraft to maintain its center of gravity, and to distribute the cargo properly.  Then you attend tech school, where you learn the specifics of the aircraft you will be permanently assigned to.

Survival School is done at Fairchild AFB, WA.  You learn land survival techniques, food procurement, water, shelter, signaling techniques, and escape and evasion.  It includes a full week in the picturesque mountains of Washington State, and includes an all expense paid trip as an inmate of a POW camp.  That training will be very intense.

Water survival is done at the local base indoor pool.  Two days learning all about flotation devices, life rafts, emergency equipment, and everything else they can teach you about surviving on the open seas.

I am sure you will have other questions, so don't hesitate to write back.  I would look into your eligibility to see how soon you can apply for retraining, and make sure you meet the physical requirements from flight medicine.

Good luck.

Sincerely,
James Bell