Forum: Careers & Assignments

I'm an F-16 crew chief, I've been in for about a year and some change, I got assigned to phase straight out of tech school, I wanted to go to the line but I like where I'm at and I have learned alot about the jet while I've been here. Alot of people say being in phase straight out of tech school will hurt me once I get out to the line, I was wondering what you guys think about that??

I Phase Block 25's and 42's. I ultimately want to become an Sheppard Instructor, any advice on becoming an instructor I would definately appreciate.

Thanks,

Phase Crew Dawg...

F-16.net Sponsor

Hi SaulGood2021, welcome to this forum! You should be able to get some good advice from some of the other Crew Dawgs here on the board.

Hi Saul I noticed this is kind of an old thread but I was in the same situation when I first came in so I figured I'd post.

I went Cannon, AFB right out of tech school and was immediatly put in to phase. I loved it!! But when they put me out on the flightline after about a year and half in phase I was lost. All the expediters thought i knew what I was doing, coz of the time i spent in phase. Most of the stuff you do in phase they dont do very often on the line, and vise-versus. One thing you will be better at than everybody else in, is inspecting the jet, wich in my opinion is in the top 3 of most important qualities of a mechanic. Dont worry if and when you do got to the line youll catch on pretty quickly as I did. Now I actually prefer working on the line as opposed to phase.

Thanks for the input guys, yeah I love the time we spend on the line with engine runs and such. I've learned alot about the jet and inspecting is almost second nature to me, I love finding cracks and dispo's, the ops check side of the house is cool too most of my friends on the line don't get to do too many ops checks. Doing Maintenance is my bread and butter though, they tell me when I get to the line they will most likely put me on swings right away.

If you dont mind my asking, where you at???

56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Luke

To be an instructor at Sheppard you will need to have your upgrade complete, and working on a degree doesn't hurt either. Being a staff is probably your biggest "in" to getting there, again you will need to be working on or have a degree. Being in phase will not hurt you, as long as you remember that when inspecting a jet on the line, look at it for the type of inspection you would do on the line, not like you would do in phase. Doing a phase style PR will definitly boad badly for you.

To be an AETC instructor you have to have an associates degree or be able to have it within a year after becoming an instructor. Any experience you can get on the flightline or in phase will be a good thing. Knowledge is power, never turn down a chance to learn something new!

All [Link pending approval] for a dumb Air Guard Guy to chime [Link pending approval] work for, well, we'll just say an awesome guard unit from the northern most part of the [Link pending approval] I have been an engine guy for 6 years and within the past 2 years have been permanently in the flightline as a Crew Chief (have the schooling) and I absolutely love it!! I was trying to get a full time (Civil Service) job with the unit, and since it is so tough, I was applying for everything and was selected for a fulltime job in Phase. I absolutely hate it and want the hell [Link pending approval]

They have a lot of authorizations for SrA, so don't hesitate to apply. Plus you make rank a lot faster here, as you teach the test for the most part, and you need a special duty for your 'check box' if you want to stay in for retirement and make good rank.

Yeah I've been here for a year and some change now, I made below the zone a couple months back, just sewed on last week. I like phase alot I've always wanted to be an instructor and we've been getting alot of new guys down here and I've been tasked to train them up most of the time so it's been a good experience. I've learned alot about the jet and have worked with some of the most knowledgeable people I've ever met.

You work in the 310th dont [Link pending approval] know you

Naw, I'm in the 61st dock or "Coyote 2" now that we phase jets from all the Fighter Squadrons here.

I have seen Airmen (E-3's in particular) get phase, or instruct at Sheppard as at least a 5 level. Getting phase will actually be a process of who really needs you at your base, if no one really needs or wants you, guess what? You go to phase! It can happen. Nothing special about that.

As far as becoming an instructor at Sheppard, you won't get that until you get Staff, at least, or become a civilian instructor, as so many of them become.

Forum Veteran Joined: Dec 25, 2003 - 10:03 PM Posts: 679

The one thing I remember from Sheppard was the Hawaiin mafia. So many instructors from hawaii, all shake drinkin bodybuilders, sup wid dat.

Forum: Careers & Assignments

F-16 Crew Chief - In phase straight out of tech school