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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/life after loadmaster
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Sir I am currently on active duty vastly approaching my 36 month mark, and considering retraining. My question is if I retrain in Loadmaster and decide to get out what civilian jobs are available with loadmaster tanning?
Greetings Raymond -
One thing I have found out about the military ... the nasty jobs inside get you the better paying ones in the private sector (IT, CE, LE, etc.). The fun jobs ... like flying (other than pilot), have little outside potential. Even pilots are being hard hit in the post-9/11 environment as airlines are cutting back and going bankrupt.
This is also true of the loadmaster career field. While every USAF cargo plane taking off will have 1 to 3 loadmasters, in the private sector, each airline will have one weight and balance technician per airport. That's it. And while it is a GREAT paying job, they aren't vacated too often, which makes them very hard to get.
I wish I could give you better information, but that's the reality of that job.
Good luck on your decision. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to write back.
Sincerely,
James Bell
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks alot sir you answer was direct and to tohe point. iy will be a lot of help. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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