Forum: Careers & Assignments

Hey all you life support guys from Swanton (or anywhere) I'll hopefully be joining you pretty soon. My name is Andrew Thornton from Urbana, OH (about 2 hours south of Swanton). All I have left is my physical at MEPS and a few papers to sign. I was wondering if there was anything I should know/do before I enlist with the 180th FW. Any advice would be nice, or if you just wanna get to know me that'd be cool too. Thanks.

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You might want to double check on any enlistment bonuses coming up before you sign the papers. The new funding was just signed off and it takes a while to trickle down to the ANG. It might be that waiting a few months might get you more money. And get anything the recruiters say put in writing.

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

I'm thinking of the same job, different unit.

Aren't you guys losing your jets to BRAC?

Que Pasa? Fmr. ACLS troop here. It's a great job. Compared to the other aviation-related jobs you can do as a troop, it's really the most cushy one you can get, with the exception of possibly Intel. You'll work in an air conditioned office. You'll probably have one go to the flightline per UTA to do a chute and/or kit pull. Any other time, you'll be in the shop, building, or more likely, servicing equipment. It's not difficult, just a lot of attention to detail. Don't worry if you don't know how to sew. The AF will teach you. Wink

Shortly after you reach your assignment out of tech school, you may be sent TDY to Fairchild for Survival/POW training. Since the details of the school are mostly classified, all I can tell you is pay attention to what they teach you. You will end up briefing the pilots in your squadron on what they teach you. Also, learn that survival kit inside and out. You will also be briefing the pilots on this, and be responsible for their refresher training.

One more thing: Stick around after 2nd Go. Rub elbows with the drivers when the beer light turns on. Wink

They are good people to know, and important contacts to have in your career.

It's not a hard job, as I said before, it's just a lot of stuff you will have to pay attention to. Remember, maintenance's job is to ensure the safety of the jet, and those who fly it. Your job is to ensure the safety of the pilot, especially if he has to leave the plane involuntarily. Don't ever let anyone hand you that BS that LS doesn't have an important job, and you'll do fine. Good luck!

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

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

TC, I didn't know ACLS had to go to Fairchild, what's the reasoning if you're at a fighter base? A guy on my hockey team was fmr ACLS but on KC-10's, meaning he sometimes flew with the jet. I'll admit, the Fairchild training stuff is almost kind of a deterrent for me, should I be skeered?

Oh wow! I have a whole list of people that work there I could get you to say hi for me to! I'll PM you with their names!

Best thing about Toledo, every certain night in the winter, full burner take offs. (I'll try to keep the exact time and day secret since I think mission times fall into Opsec right? but anyone who lives with in 20 miles wont have a hard time figuring it out. Especially since their approach route is right over the campus!)

I visited to base about a month ago at the invitation of some friends and went into the life support shop and met some people that worked there. Great crew, they all loved what they do! So you should have no problem fitting in.

Lastly if your ever board hit me up. I live on the campus; I can introduce you to some of the BGSU ROTC det people if you want or we can do all else what?

Quote:

Aren't you guys losing your jets to BRAC?

No, they are actually gaining jets. I met a pilot who works there. She told me that they were supposed to get 4 more F-16s; and they would likely hire IP's from Springfield before anyone else to fill those slots. (Hey, gotta suport the old school first; right?)

Enjoy yourself man. I love waking up each morning, walking outside my dorm and seeing two Vipers fly over on approach.

-Aaron

Yeah, you go through the basic surival and resistance training. Don't worry...Drivers and Intel go through the course they call "Advanced Beating"! Razz

The reasoning behind this is that you are responsible for building up all of the pilot's personal and survival equipment. You have to learn how to apply that equipment in a practical setting, so that you can help better prepare a driver for the real thing. That way, when he asks "Hey Sarge, how does this piece of equipment work, or, how is it going to help me when I punch out?" you can tell him everything he needs to know, and he will trust you after you say you've used it yourself.

POW training...self explanatory. Not only is it going to help you brief the drivers on what to expect (even though they go through it too) it will also prepare YOU. Remember, in this day and age, NO ONE is completely safe from capture over there. I can't get too heavily into it, but they won't put your life or bodily health in danger. Honestly, the way I prepared myself for it was repeatedly telling myself that the guys who went through the Hanoi Hilton had to put up with a LOT worse things than I'd ever have to see in a training environment.

You're going to be up there with troops from all different commands and walks of life. They'll throw you in together, and you'll end up working as a team and looking out for each other. Pick your instructors' brains. They want you to learn, and are there to help. Don't worry. You'll do fine. And hey, you'll probably get your Viper ride when you come back to your unit. Not for completing it, but it's another part of your learning process. I got a ride to help me see how the equipment works that I was working on. That was my first of two rides while I was in. So see? There's incentive already! Wink

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

Oh yeah TC, I've heard lots, and by lots I mean very little, about resistance training. Since I want to be pilot I'm obviously not looking forward to that either; but I keep telling myself; it's only a few weeks, and once I pass it I have an awsome career lined up in the AF ahead of me for the rest of my life. I wonder if they ever put a masacist through resistance training ? Haha...

They actually had an article in Maxim a few years back where they interviewed a few POWs from some war or another. I dont remember too well but it must of been a long time ago. The one thing I remember them saying though was the prisoners that got beat the most were the ones that talked; because when you talked the enemy knew they could get information out of you if they pushed you far enough. If you kept your mouth shut and dealt with it as long as possible eventually they would give up on you and concetrate on others.

-Aaron

No guarantees there either. I cite as evidence, the case of Captain Lance Peter Sijan (POW, KIA '68, CMH). They tortured that man to death for never going past his name, rank, and serial number.

Anyway, I'd like to read that article in Maxim, if you happen to know the month and year. Usually I wind up reading Maxim the same way I read Playboy. Look at the boobs...and then forget about what else was in the magazine. Spot a headline...in one ear, out the other...get bored...flip back to the boobs. Razz

And don't worry about POW training. It's no box of candy, but they're one helluva lot nicer than the Al Queda will be. Know what I mean?

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

TC; I am sure I have that maxim stashed in my stuff from junior high I didnt want my mom to see somewhere. If I ever come by it again I will deffinatly let you know. Otherwise; im not really sweating it.

-Aaron

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

I probably wouldn't take my ride ::gasp:: I'm claustrophobic to the 10th power and hate being restrained. Even an MRI flipped me out.. Hmm maybe I'll pick something else. Smile

thanks for all the replies, guys- you're a big help Thumb

Oooh...don't tell the recruiters that you're claustrophobic. You might find yourself with far fewer job choices than you were banking on. At some point in the ACLS field, they will want you to take a ride. I got one in the T-37, and two in the Viper...although the last one was an "attaboy" ride. Wanted one in the Eagle, but I didn't spend enough time in an Eagle unit (darn!).

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

Survival School was a good learning experience for me. The only guys that got booted out of the class seemed to be life support guys though not sure why.

TC, you're a bit off on the advanced beating course, not all drivers and intel go through that in fact, most don't. Only those that are flying on aircraft with "sensitive material/missions". Standard Viper/Eagle driver doesn't get advance a$$ beatings.

Forum: Careers & Assignments

Going into aircrew life support for the 180th FW