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Question
my husband just joined the air force, hes in basic right now and his job is loadmaster. we were never told all the training he is going to get and i was just wondering what kind of training he will be getting and for how long
Greetings Amy -
Your husband will attend two technical schools ... Basic Loadmaster school and TTU for his specific aircraft. In the basic school he will learn weight and balance and a few loading skills. This school is approximately two months.
In his second school he will learn the specifics of his aircraft, be it C-5, C-17 or C-130. This will include the unique weight and balance characteristics and cargo upload/download along with load planning. The second school is roughly three months.
Survival school will consist of classroom study, a week in the field to include escape and evasion, and some time in a simulated POW camp. Certain aspects of the course are classified, so I can't go into it. Water survival is roughly three days after basic survival and is done at the base swimming pool. All in all, Survival School is only two to three weeks.
After that he will be assigned to his permanent duty station. He would have received orders usually between the first and second school, so he would know where he is being assigned. Normally, once he gets orders in hand, he can apply for base housing. that will allow you to get moved and settled in.
I hope this answers your question. If not, or if you have more, don't hesitate to write back.
Sincerely,
James Bell
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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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