Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/aviation/height problem

Advertisement

Expert: Howard Lorenz - 11/13/2007


Question
Hi,
I'm trying to find what military field is best for me. I was trying to become an AEt in Coast Guard but I am 1 inch too short for their aviation ht requirements I'm 4 11". My recruiter tried to get it waivered and they said no safety issues but it is waiverable for anything else in cg but I know I want to do something aviation related so CG is not for me. However I liked how many of their missions are search and rescue related. Is there anything in other military where you dont have to fight as much but fields are focused on search and rescue, or helping rebuild fallen communities etc. I know this sounds crazy but less violence envolved? I also read ht requirements for aviation are different in army I read its 4 10" is that accurate and what are all the ht requirements for anything aviation related? navy,marines,air force,national guard? What is asvab score I need so I can have guaranteed field in my contract? For Aet in cg it was 65. (I took asvab in sept got 52 I was going to retake it for the 65 until my ht got in the way lol)I passed all my physical exams also. What field and in what service would you recommend?
Thanks!

Answer
Jenny,

I know that being "Short" can be a pain in the ass so to speak. When I was recruiting, I had many like you that wanted to do the job, but couldnt get flight status because of the same thing. Sounds to me that you like flying, I love planes in general, as long as I get to play with them, see them fly...Im happy. What I recomend to you is to go to the Air Force and ask to be a crewchief, You have the scores it looks like. A crewchief is responsible for the maintenance and up keep on a particular air frame for example F-22, F-15, F-17 C-17 KC-135 & KC-10 aircraft. They interact with the pilots and the crew and as a "Flying Crewchief" on the Cargo birds....You are in a flying job...

Contact your Air force recruiter and see where he place you. The scores for the Air Force are different and you may qualify for more that what you think. LOOK at all the jobs that you are qualified for. You may find something there that you didnt know you could do!! Keep intouch and if you need help....let me know.

HW

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

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Howard Lorenz

Expertise

I have spent the past 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 3 years was assigned as an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter. I have been deployed various times to several locations. If it is a career in the military you are looking for or thinking about I most likely have the answer. I still have contacts with in the recruiting field and if I don't know the answer then I have folks who do where I can find the answer. I am very blunt and straight forward and will make no attempts to BS you. I will give you the best information that I possible can can. If you think that you cant handle the answer that I give you, then don't ask the question...... If you are planning on joining the military, your number 1 decision factor in making this kind of move is that you need to be more concerned about serving your country than your country serving you!! All the benefits are the best that you can find. Education is at a premium right now and its the most rewarding thing that you can do. If I dont answer right away probably means that I am busy, but have patience, I will get to you.

Experience

Air Force Recruiter for 3 years, Air Force Career 21 Years

Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars

Education/Credentials
Community College of the Air Force, International Air Academy, Allied Business Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical College, Defense Acquisition University

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