Military Question
#31
07-07-2009 | 10:47 AM
Full of Win.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,295
From: Gobbles Air Force Base
Gobbles,
I found this article that seems to back up what you're saying:
From the AF webpage...
by Jeremy Webster
AF Special Operations Command Public Affairs
10/6/2008 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- Air Force special operations weathermen now have a new specialty code they can call their own.
Recruiters can enlist trainees directly into the 1W0X2 special operations weathermen career field since the new Air Force specialty code is now in the enlisted classification directory.
Before this new AFSC, weather Airmen applied to become special operations weathermen after already being in the Air Force, They were sent to work and live on an Army post where they relied on the Army for equipment and training. There was no standardized training, according to Chief Master Sgt Andrew Hopwood, Air Force Special Operations Command weather functional manager.
"The new AFSC will provide special operations weathermen the right technical, physical and tactical training from day one. This will greatly enhance their battlefield observing, environmental reconnaissance and forecasting missions," Chief Hopwood said.
Because of time between classes, Airmen previously spent four years training to become special operations weathermen. Under the new program, they will finish training in approximately two and half years. The first basic military training graduates will enter the new training pipeline in January 2009.
Trainees will attend the two-week Special Operations Weathermen Selection Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. This is a physical training assessment with progressive training to prepare candidates for the next phase.
After the selection course, students will attend their initial-skills course at Keesler AFB, Miss., for 30 weeks where they will go through the Air Force Weather Course and endure additional physical training elements.
Upon completion of their initial-skills course, they will earn their jump qualification from airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga and attend survival school at Fairchild AFB, Wash. They will then train side-by-side with combat controllers during the Special Operations Weather Apprentice Course at Pope AFB, N.C. before being assigned to the Special Tactics Training Squadron here. They will learn additional weather skills necessary to deploy and operate in stressful environments. Training also will include basic communication, navigation, employment techniques, weapons training and small unit tactics.
Special operations weathermen have 99 slots, but are currently only 65 percent manned. Once Airmen become special operations weathermen, they will be assigned to Hurlburt's 10th Combat Weather Squadron and will be stationed at detachments across the United State
I found this article that seems to back up what you're saying:
From the AF webpage...
by Jeremy Webster
AF Special Operations Command Public Affairs
10/6/2008 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- Air Force special operations weathermen now have a new specialty code they can call their own.
Recruiters can enlist trainees directly into the 1W0X2 special operations weathermen career field since the new Air Force specialty code is now in the enlisted classification directory.
Before this new AFSC, weather Airmen applied to become special operations weathermen after already being in the Air Force, They were sent to work and live on an Army post where they relied on the Army for equipment and training. There was no standardized training, according to Chief Master Sgt Andrew Hopwood, Air Force Special Operations Command weather functional manager.
"The new AFSC will provide special operations weathermen the right technical, physical and tactical training from day one. This will greatly enhance their battlefield observing, environmental reconnaissance and forecasting missions," Chief Hopwood said.
Because of time between classes, Airmen previously spent four years training to become special operations weathermen. Under the new program, they will finish training in approximately two and half years. The first basic military training graduates will enter the new training pipeline in January 2009.
Trainees will attend the two-week Special Operations Weathermen Selection Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. This is a physical training assessment with progressive training to prepare candidates for the next phase.
After the selection course, students will attend their initial-skills course at Keesler AFB, Miss., for 30 weeks where they will go through the Air Force Weather Course and endure additional physical training elements.
Upon completion of their initial-skills course, they will earn their jump qualification from airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga and attend survival school at Fairchild AFB, Wash. They will then train side-by-side with combat controllers during the Special Operations Weather Apprentice Course at Pope AFB, N.C. before being assigned to the Special Tactics Training Squadron here. They will learn additional weather skills necessary to deploy and operate in stressful environments. Training also will include basic communication, navigation, employment techniques, weapons training and small unit tactics.
Special operations weathermen have 99 slots, but are currently only 65 percent manned. Once Airmen become special operations weathermen, they will be assigned to Hurlburt's 10th Combat Weather Squadron and will be stationed at detachments across the United State
Here is more info on each:
Pararescue Apprentice (males only) - Enlisted Careers - AirForce.com
Combat Control Apprentice (males only) - Enlisted Careers - AirForce.com
If you become serious about either, let me know. I can try to put you in touch with a guy that was a former PJ.
#32
07-08-2009 | 07:03 AM
Full of Win.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,295
From: Gobbles Air Force Base
For Al-
As Choke mentioned, Corp of Engineers is largely focused on environmental impact studies, Katrina-esque responses, etc. these days. Not saying don't look at them, but be very specific in what you are looking for.
This site will give you some leads on engineering jobs that I think are more in line with what you are after:
Engineering Jobs
Good luck!
As Choke mentioned, Corp of Engineers is largely focused on environmental impact studies, Katrina-esque responses, etc. these days. Not saying don't look at them, but be very specific in what you are looking for.
This site will give you some leads on engineering jobs that I think are more in line with what you are after:
Engineering Jobs
Good luck!
#34
07-08-2009 | 12:21 PM
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,647
From: Munich,Germany
why are certain jobs for males only?
I thought it was already proven that trained women can achieve similar performances as men do and are in fact in general more pain resistant than males...
correct me if I`m wrong..that`s just what I`ve read somewhere.
I don`t want to say that it`s unfair and all that stuff,but I`m a bit suprised though
I thought it was already proven that trained women can achieve similar performances as men do and are in fact in general more pain resistant than males...
correct me if I`m wrong..that`s just what I`ve read somewhere.
I don`t want to say that it`s unfair and all that stuff,but I`m a bit suprised though
#35
07-08-2009 | 03:34 PM
TeH Ears
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,188
From: Atlanta
why are certain jobs for males only?
I thought it was already proven that trained women can achieve similar performances as men do and are in fact in general more pain resistant than males...
correct me if I`m wrong..that`s just what I`ve read somewhere.
I don`t want to say that it`s unfair and all that stuff,but I`m a bit suprised though
I thought it was already proven that trained women can achieve similar performances as men do and are in fact in general more pain resistant than males...
correct me if I`m wrong..that`s just what I`ve read somewhere.
I don`t want to say that it`s unfair and all that stuff,but I`m a bit suprised though
Also, fitness standards are lower for women, they do not meet the minimums for males in most cases. Again, not take anything away from actual "fighting" ability, but the reality is that there are physical limitations that prevent them from Infantry roles.
#36
07-12-2009 | 08:27 PM
Watch this space.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,211
OK - So I'm back from my playtime...
USMC - Do not join for the college money, for the emblem, for the cool uniforms, for the chicks, etc. These will not get you there - you have to do it because you want to be a MARINE first, everything else second. When I enlisted, I told my recruiter I wanted to jump out of airplanes and kill people. And yes, I was (am?) serious.
If I could do it all over again, knowing everything I know now, still wanting to jump out of airplanes and kill people, I'd join the Army, go to Ranger school, do some time in the Ranger Battalion, go Special Forces, and then pray I get picked up by the top tier. It's do-able if you have the smarts, the heart, and the guts to try.
The military has given me everything I have - I will always be grateful. If I could go back in tomorrow, I'd give up everything (except my wife) to do it.
USMC - Do not join for the college money, for the emblem, for the cool uniforms, for the chicks, etc. These will not get you there - you have to do it because you want to be a MARINE first, everything else second. When I enlisted, I told my recruiter I wanted to jump out of airplanes and kill people. And yes, I was (am?) serious.
If I could do it all over again, knowing everything I know now, still wanting to jump out of airplanes and kill people, I'd join the Army, go to Ranger school, do some time in the Ranger Battalion, go Special Forces, and then pray I get picked up by the top tier. It's do-able if you have the smarts, the heart, and the guts to try.
The military has given me everything I have - I will always be grateful. If I could go back in tomorrow, I'd give up everything (except my wife) to do it.
#37
07-14-2009 | 02:00 PM
Teamspeed Rookie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 20
From: Austin
I don't have much to share...
I enlisted AF for 4 years. I heard about the PJ's/CC in basic training when they asked us if we wanted to try out. I was excited about it but have zero water background so the swim put me off. If I had known about it I would have trained hard ahead of time to get through the first 12 weeks.
At that time, the washout rate for the PJ/CC school in the first 12 weeks or so is enormous. well into the 90+% range. Lots of injuries, water issues, mental toughness issues etc. Then as you specialize you have to get through quite a few other tough course work (air traffic control alone is a 50% washout - not sure why that is so tough)
Not to discourage you from it, but if special ops is where your heart is I'd say the AF is not your best shot at it. Last I heard there are only about 700 operational PJ/CC in the AF. Consider that they start a new class of 40-70 every few weeks.
My point is, if you don't make it in special ops, would you be satisfied with the mission of the AF? You'll either be working on planes, dealing with supply, have an office job, etc.
At the end of the day my job was not very satisfying and I opted not to re-enlist when I served my agreed term.
I enlisted AF for 4 years. I heard about the PJ's/CC in basic training when they asked us if we wanted to try out. I was excited about it but have zero water background so the swim put me off. If I had known about it I would have trained hard ahead of time to get through the first 12 weeks.
At that time, the washout rate for the PJ/CC school in the first 12 weeks or so is enormous. well into the 90+% range. Lots of injuries, water issues, mental toughness issues etc. Then as you specialize you have to get through quite a few other tough course work (air traffic control alone is a 50% washout - not sure why that is so tough)
Not to discourage you from it, but if special ops is where your heart is I'd say the AF is not your best shot at it. Last I heard there are only about 700 operational PJ/CC in the AF. Consider that they start a new class of 40-70 every few weeks.
My point is, if you don't make it in special ops, would you be satisfied with the mission of the AF? You'll either be working on planes, dealing with supply, have an office job, etc.
At the end of the day my job was not very satisfying and I opted not to re-enlist when I served my agreed term.
#39
07-14-2009 | 04:59 PM
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,647
From: Munich,Germany
wow....impressive pic
the A-10 guys could as well belong to the Army,since their primary job obviously is CAS and they are in general more digging into the dirt
but this is just my personal opinion,as I have no profound knowledge on military aviation.
the A-10 guys could as well belong to the Army,since their primary job obviously is CAS and they are in general more digging into the dirt
but this is just my personal opinion,as I have no profound knowledge on military aviation.
Last edited by ECB; 07-14-2009 at 05:01 PM.
#40
07-14-2009 | 11:07 PM
TeH Ears
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,188
From: Atlanta
For someone with no profound knowledge, you made a freaking wise statement!!! I totally agree with you. I LOOOOOVVVVEEEEE THE A10. Probably my all time fav, right after a P51D.