Forum: Future F-16 crew

I've been doing my research on [Link pending approval] and [Link pending approval]

I was wondering if there any avionics people on here that I can hear directly from about avionics life, location, also Pro's and Con's. This is not a "is job good" question. I want to really hear what people personally think about the job or what I can expect. I know alot of it is mindset, just want to know experiences and opinions.

I am a DEP'er and leave for basic 09/09 I am switching my job away from SF.

Thanks alot for all future input.

please no fighting with the crew dawgs, seems to be alot of that going on around here lol.

Just want to know your pointy-head life.
-Ryan
Wisconsin.

F-16.net Sponsor

PM sent

My name is Rob, 21 and currently I am enlisted and am shipping for BTM Febuary 24, 2009 so relatively soon. This particular AFSC interested me from the start of me looking into the AF.

When I went to MEPS the list printed off of what AFSC jobs I was qualified for, my recruitor did the best job of trying to find an opening for me in this field and we're still waiting till the first week in JAN to see what Operations releases as far as new jobs. Right now I'm signed up (through my contract) to be guarenteed a job in the Electronics field. From the research my Recruitor did and from talking to other recruitors/enlisted officers on bases my recuitor stated that most people don't leave with a specific job if they are looking for an electronics job aka the AFSC for avionic systems.

My dream job for the AF is to work out of Langley VA with the F-22 Raptors but thats my goal dream. I'm as new to this whole thing as you bro and I probably can't give to much advice being that I haven't been there and back again like some of these other guys on here, but what I can say is that I was given the option of waiting to see what is avaliable when I get to basic (and yes my job will be in the electronics field guarenteed!) and there were about 2 out of 18 electronic jobs that i didn't like so I'm willing to play the odds and see what I get when I'm at basic.

I guess the only advice I would give if any is depending on how well you did on your ASFAB (I maxed electronics with an E-70, and standard with mechanical, but sucked everywhere else.) you might want to look into going to BMT with the Electronics aptitued area, which guarentees you a job in electronics. Who knows maybe this next month i'll get that AFSC i wanted but for now I'm content with knowing I'm going into the field of electronics, always remember as well it's a matter of who you know in life and the contacts you make. You can always cross train into the AFSC you want like I will probably be doing eventually.

On an ending note from the information given to me at MEPS this AFSC is made up of a few different shread outs (someone who is actually in this AFSC could probably help out better.). But again bro, I'm not trying to act like I know everything at all, I'm simply trying to be a friend and see if it helps at all. I'm just as lost and confused as you are probably and still will be for some time, but remember to look at the bigger goals and keep those dreams you have for your AF career close to your heart....you can freakin do anything you put your mind to. I had to loose 40lbs before I could qualify for the AF and that was hard but I made it and now I'm leaving in FEB!!!!!! I'm pretty pumped. Good luck to you though in your quest sir.

Respectfully,

Rob

hhhmmmmm

I've been a multiple airframe avionics troop for a while. I can give you a foresight of what to expect:

1) Expect lllllooooonnnnggggg shifts. They will typically range from 8 to 12 hours, depending on what base your stationed [Link pending approval] you get Kunsan AB ROK you're SCREWED.

2) While everyone else in the AF has to wear blues on Monday's. You're exempt my friend.

3) As the mission of the AF is to [Link pending approval] a lot of deployments and TDY's. These can range from visiting Las Vegas or Spain to Iraq and Southwest Asia.

4) Also working the 2A career [Link pending approval]'ll experience a different side of the AF. It's the only place I've seen so far (except special ops) where what you know determines how people look at you; regardless of rank.

5) Mistakes are rarely [Link pending approval] If someone in the dining facility messes up a pancake they just throw it away. If you leave a tool in an aircraft someone dies

6) You will learn to hate Op's!!!!!!!!!!!

7) If you have plans for [Link pending approval] it if your base isn't AETC or [Link pending approval]

Cool

If you ever go to [Link pending approval] the [Link pending approval] they're pseudo prostitutes that endanger your stripes and bank account.

9) Beware a Flight Chief who was a fast burner. It usually means he doesn't know JACK!!!!!!

10) If you do end up at Langley. Beware those F-117A people. Some are complete [Link pending approval] may kill you if you don't pay attention to their actions.

11) As a recipient of multiple awards and incentive flights. If your actions reflect great credit upon yourself and the [Link pending approval]'ll love your job and be recognized for it continually. Good luck man!!!!!!!

Last edited by Mushmouth on Dec 27, 2008 - 07:27 PM; edited 2 times in total

Awww, No need to discourage the kid. Here, let me help brighten the situation, I had to get it out. Very Happy

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

1) Expect lllllooooonnnnggggg shifts. They will typically range from 8 to 12 hours, depending on what base your stationed at.....if you get Kunsan AB ROK you're SCREWED.

Unless the shop supervision is that anal, there are always cutbacks. But hours mainly are determined on work load or excercise time. If you go to Kunsan or Osan, you are not screwed. It's not as bad as people make it seem. And outside of an excercise, it's not often you are working longs hours. I remember a little more than half of the avionics guys cutting out while were helping them put pods up. Shouldn't have been cut trained!! Wink

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

2) While everyone else in the AF has to wear blues on Monday's. You're exempt my friend.

If you really hard up to wear them, go to a Profesional of the Year Banquet, Honor Gaurd, or if your FTD class (Feild Training Detachment) is long enough, they are trying to push the issue for monday wear there.

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

3) As the mission of the AF is to fly...expect a lot of deployments and TDY's. These can range from visiting Las Vegas or Spain to Iraq and Southwest Asia.

Vegas and the desert always. Spain? Really depending where you at. The only time we went was to get a jet that broke on the way to the desert.

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

4) Also working the 2A career field....you'll experience a different side of the AF. It's the only place I've seen so far (except special ops) where what you know determines how people look at you; regardless of rank.

Sometimes blurred but rank is aways an issue. Especially when dealing with pilots and various other situations.

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

5) If you leave a tool in an aircraft someone dies

Or we're stuck borescoping it and fishing it out because you don't want to learn how to use the FOD scope. lol

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

6) You will learn to hate Op's!!!!!!!!!!!

So true.

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

7) If you have plans for school.......forget it if your base isn't AETC or S.O.C.O.M.

Definately not true. You just will not be able to do school full time.

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

If you ever go to Korea.....beware the juicies..... they're pseudo prostitutes that endanger your stripes and bank account.

You have a better chance of getting married to one and wasting your money trying to get her over.

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

9) Beware a Flight Chief who was a fast burner. It usually means he doesn't know JACK!!!!!!

But he can sure school you on the PDG!! lol

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

10) If you do end up at Langley. Beware those F-117A people. Some are complete idiots.....they may kill you if you don't pay attention to their actions.

F-117 guys are out there (lost in their own world). Just watch out for the guys that say "Well on this airframe we did this or that." Some have a hard time figuring it out that not every method works the same. But going to F-22's, verry narrow chance. Where ever the AF needs you, thats where you will go. But, don't give up hope.

ncoofthemillennium wrote:

11) As a recipient of multiple awards and incentive flights. If your actions reflect great credit upon yourself and the USAF...you'll love your job and be recognized for it continually. Good luck man!!!!!!!

Bottom line, have that go-getter attitude, positive outlook, and don't wait to be told what to do, and you will see plenty of awards.

Good luck.

Last edited by JoeSambor on Dec 27, 2008 - 02:03 PM; edited 1 time in total

Mushmouth speaks the truth! Avionics for me has been more than a career field, it has been a career that continues long beyond my USAF service. Sure, there are long hours involved, inevitable conflicts with people who don't see things exactly the way that you do, and supervisors (and co-workers) who don't know what they are doing, but the military does not have a monopoly on that; you will find these things in the civilian world as well.

What you will find is daily challenges that test your knowledge, integrity, and work ethic. You will find yourself in situations where only your skills and abilities, and most importantly, your willingness to work as part of a team will see you through. You will know the satisfaction of a job well done when you solve a problem that has baffled you for hours or even weeks. If you work hard and put out the effort, the rewards (and awards) and promotions will come. I always told my guys that you only have to work about 10% harder than the rest to stand above the crowd.

And if you are lucky, somewhere along the way you will find that even though you may have joined USAF for any number of reasons, you will meet and work with people who inspire you to do greater things than you ever thought you could; this might include getting a degree, going to OTS, or resolving to be at the top of your career field. You will work with people who elevate your "game", just like people who play basketball with Michael Jordan, and, regardless of their talent, end up playing better because of it.

You will meet people who love this country so much that serving is the most important thing to them, and accomplishing the Mission of protecting our homeland, families, and way of life satisfies them more than any monetary reward. You will meet the best of the best and some of the worst, but the good ones far outweigh the bad ones. You will find some that work the system to find themselves a cushy job or position with little or no responsibility; but these people will rot in those positions and never advance to the heights that hard work and personal integrity would have taken them to.

You will be entrusted with maintaining multi-million-dollar aircraft, and safeguarding the lives of the pilots that fly them; you will sign your name countless times in aircraft forms certifying that the work was done correctly; and the weight of this responsibiity will at first overwhelm you but gradually will become a source of great pride.

You will meet complainers who constantly bemoan their status in life, how the AF sucks, how they can't wait to get out, and how much better life will be when they do. Stay away from them; they don't realize that when they get out, they will have the same problems. But you will also meet people who will become friends for the rest of your life, no matter how far apart you live or how long it has been since you have seen each other. Associate with winners, you will find out who they are soon enough.

You will see places and do things that you would otherwise never have done as a civilian. And when you finish your service, whether it was only for one enlistment or for a career, you can walk away with the knowledge that you have done your job the best you could, and take the training and experience you gained in the military and apply it to whatever else it is that you want to do.

First of all, thank you for stepping forward and volunteering to serve our wonderful country! I was in the Army 8 years as an avionics and electrical guy on Apaches. I really enjoyed working on aircraft and troubleshooting. In Army aviation we have this saying, "It takes a college education to break it, and a highschool education to fix it". It felt really good to walk away from a $25 million attack helicopter that I fixed. My guess is that you'll get way better training going into the AF, have technically proficient supervisors, and have the "proper" tools you need to service, maintain, and troubleshoot aircraft. Again, I'm just an Army guy, but I think it's a safe bet that you'll be spending a lot of your time with a multimeter and wire diagrams/schematics. You might even be trained to mess with wires as well. Having the right attitude will go a long way and will carry you far in your new career. Surrounding yourself with people with the right attitude is important too. I'm an aviation buff and like electronics, so I was in heaven on the flight line and in the hanger. Overall, I think you're going to have a blast!

I had a great time with 16 avionics and I would highly recommend it. Joe made a great point and I can completely relate; avionics wasn't just a career field for me, it is a career that has carried me well past my USAF service.

If you have a head for it, avionics can be very interesting and challenging. I don't think any other career field gets more time in the cockpit (besides the pilots of course). I remember the first time I sat in for an engine run with a engine troop who was a Tsgt, I was in the back and telling him to flip switches. Essentially, half the systems I used on a daily basis, he had never even seen turned on.

If school is a goal of yours (and it should be!), you can go to school. I would recommend doing something online though, because no matter where you go, you will have internet. Between CCAF and taking 2 classes a term at Embry Riddle, you could easily walk away with a A.S and B.S after a 4 year enlistment.

Just make sure you change your AFSC before leaving and don't let a recruiter tell you that it will be done at Lackland. I repeat, make sure you change your AFSC before leaving! Once SF, you will be SF forever. SF has some good guys, but man, most of them hate life. Avionics goes where the airplanes goes, SF goes where ever they might be needed.

Enough rambling, good luck!

Forum: Future F-16 crew

2A3X2 Avionics question