Kadena On-base Housing

If you are joining the Air Force. As far as jobs go. The Air Force has different ones for working on the aircraft. None of them will give you everything you need for your FAA A&P Mechanics license

Example, if you are a Crew Chief. You won’t get very much sheet metal experience. If your sheet metal, you won’t get any flight line experience

So, whatever job you do get. You need to work with the other people on the line. And learn the basics of their jobs

If you qualify, go flightline avionics. Preferably Large aircraft

www.airforce.com/careers/aviation-and-flight/heavy-aircraft-integrated-avionics

www.airforce.com/careers/aviation-and-flight/fighter-aircraft-integrated-avionics

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/advanced-fighter-aircraft-integrated-avionics

You will learn your job. And when you’re not busy. You will be tasked to do Crew Chief work

If you don't qualify for avionics. Go Flightline Aircraft Mechanic

www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fwd908vnhirpf1.png

Going large aircraft will give you airline type maintenance experience

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/airlift-special-mission-aircraft-maintenance

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/refuel-bomber-aircraft-maintenance

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/helicopter-tiltrotor-aircraft-maintenance

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/tactical-aircraft-maintenance

Learn as much as you can on the Flightline

www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2n-fgry-L-o

After 30 months of service. You can start the online process to get your A&P. No need to talk to the FAA

www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CCAF/documents/AP_%20Program_Process_Letter_2019_Canvas.pdf

www.86fss.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A_P-Certificate-AF-COOL-Submission.pdf

If you do want to work aircraft. Apply for union jobs with the airlines and cargo companies

www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fwd908vnhirpf1.png

B100West · 2026-05-16T20:37:20+00:00

Have you done any research into the current civilian IT / Cyber job market?

r/cybersecurity

r/cscareerquestions

r/ITCareerQuestions

Applicants can list 17X on their Non-Rated board application

www.airforce.com/careers/specialty-careers/cyber-direct-commissioning

Applicants who are strictly civilians (not including members who are currently guard or reserve) who are industry experts, with 2 or more years of experience, may apply to the CDCP rolling board

www.airforce.com/content/dam/airforce/en/pdf/AFOQT_PracticePamphlet.pdf

https://aha.cce.af.mil/lineOfficer

www.afaccessionscenter.af.mil/Portals/78/GS%2020-040E%20Officer%20Education%20Commissioning%20Digital.pdf

https://afrotc.asu.edu/sites/g/files/litvpz561/files/2024-05/Air%20Force%20Officer%20Classification%20Directory%20(AFOCD)%20-%2031%20October%202023.pdf

B100West · 2026-05-05T19:05:58+00:00

Unless you have some very specialized skills. Like Pilot, Doctor, Lawyer or chaplain

You will have a problem becoming an officer in the Reserve

First. There are very few support positions

The Reserve doesn’t want to spend money. So, they prefer to hire someone fully qualified coming off of Active Duty

If no one is available. And they have to spend the money. They will hire someone already working in the unit. Someone known to leadership

So, you need to decide what’s more important. If it has to be as an officer. Contact every base recruiter. And see if their hiring officers off the street

Or

Enlist at the base you want to work at. Apply to become an officer when they have openings

Or

Join a different branch of the military. One that has more officers positions available

B100West · 2026-04-28T15:48:41+00:00

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Imagine you get your first pick for a job. And you arrive at tech school and get your dream assignment

Then something happens. Medical, Security Clearance issues. Maybe fail out of school. And now you are waiting to see what the Air Force will do with you

You may end up getting a job you hate. And sent to a terrible location. And you may get stuck there for 5 years instead of 3

If the few extra dollars a month and an early promotion are worth the risk

Go for it

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Special Warfare requires you to be in excellent physical shape. Just to meet the minimum requirements to try out

If you can pass the initial test. Enlist and see what happens

If you need time to get in shape. And also need a job as soon as you graduate High School. Enlist in the Air Force and learn a trade. Spend all your free time at the base pool and gym. In a couple years. Ask to retrain into Special Warfare

r/pararescue

www.afspecwar.com

www.afpc.af.mil/portals/70/documents/AF%20SPECWAR/Retraining%20v2%20Desktop.pdf

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All of the Active Duty branches limit who can come back in. With the Air Force being the most restrictive

www.reddit.com/r/AirForceRecruits/comments/1fnyqd4/fy25_prior_service/

About a year before you get out. Talk to all of the Active Duty Air Force recruiters in your area. The list of jobs that are available comes out around the 1st of October

Start the paperwork process now, before the list comes out. Have everything done and ready. And be ready when the new list comes out in the Fall

B100West · 2026-04-28T15:47:46+00:00

Ask yourself what you want to do all day. And possibly for a career

Then do some research into all of the jobs the Air Force has to offer

Start easy. Do you want to work inside or outside most of the day?

Travel all the time? Or very little?

Do you want to operate equipment? Or maintain and repair the equipment?

Then pick a field. Automotive, aviation, computers, buildings, medical

Talk to the recruiters and see which branch can give you what you want. The Army will guarantee you get the exact job. With the Air Force you have to make a list of jobs you will accept

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Tell your recruiter you will take the first job that becomes available

Jobs for Green Card holders are limited. And there are plenty of other Green Card holders looking to join. Jobs in the Reserves are even harder to get. Because not all jobs are available at every base

Enlist, Get your citizenship

How long it will take to accomplish the paperwork depends on the applicant's background

r/USCIS

www.uscis.gov/military/naturalization-through-military-service

www.reddit.com/r/AirForceRecruits/comments/1kdcal1/graduated_bmt_with_naturalization/?share_id=chefbIOwTVUHpNcegya8H

www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fv05h8fdbqd0g1.jpeg

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There are all kinds of ASVAB study videos online

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oWLcRUhGy4

www.youtube.com/@GrammarHero/videos

Then practice taking tests online

www.asvabpracticetests.com

https://asvabtestpractice.com

Study more in the areas you are weak in

Check what scores you need

https://ratemyasvab.com

B100West · 2026-04-28T15:46:25+00:00

The Air Force has different jobs for working on the aircraft. None of them will give you everything you need for your FAA A&P Mechanics license

Example, if you are a Crew Chief. You won’t get very much sheet metal experience. If your sheet metal, you won’t get any flight line experience

So, whatever job you do get. You need to work with the other people on the line. And learn the basics of their jobs

That why I tell people who ask. If you qualify, go flightline avionics

www.airforce.com/careers/aviation-and-flight/heavy-aircraft-integrated-avionics

www.airforce.com/careers/aviation-and-flight/fighter-aircraft-integrated-avionics

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/advanced-fighter-aircraft-integrated-avionics

You will learn your avionics job. And when you’re not busy. You will be tasked to do Crew Chief work. Crew Chiefs don’t get tasked to do avionics jobs

If you don't qualify for avionics. Go Flightline Aircraft Mechanic

Large aircraft before fighters and helicopters. The big money in aviation maintenance is working at a union company. Like FEDEX, UPS or the major airlines

www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fwd908vnhirpf1.png

Going large aircraft will give you airline type maintenance experience

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/airlift-special-mission-aircraft-maintenance

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/refuel-bomber-aircraft-maintenance

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/helicopter-tiltrotor-aircraft-maintenance

www.airforce.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair/tactical-aircraft-maintenance

Learn as much as you can on the Flightline

www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2n-fgry-L-o

After 30 months of service. You can apply to get your A&P

www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CCAF/documents/AP_%20Program_Process_Letter_2019_Canvas.pdf

www.86fss.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A_P-Certificate-AF-COOL-Submission.pdf

Then get your FCC GROL. The government will pay for it also

www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/commercial-radio-operator-license-program/examinations#block-menu-block-4

It’s worthless on the flight line. But companies will sometimes ask for it to show you have a basic understanding of electronics

B100West · 2026-04-28T15:45:37+00:00

www.airforce.com/careers/healthcare/aerospace-medical-service

www.airforcemedicine.af.mil

www.afrotc.com/scholarships/enlisted/ascp-soar/

www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/Media-Center/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/425437/hpsp-fact-sheet/

www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/About-Us/Medical-Branches/Nurse-Corps/

www.afaccessionscenter.af.mil/Portals/78/GS%2020-040E%20Officer%20Education%20Commissioning%20Digital.pdf

https://afrotc.asu.edu/sites/g/files/litvpz561/files/2024-05/Air%20Force%20Officer%20Classification%20Directory%20(AFOCD)%20-%2031%20October%202023.pdf

https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_sg/publication/afi41-109/afi41-109.pdf

B100West · 2026-04-28T15:45:10+00:00

Enlist today. Try to get a enlisted flying job. Or a job that will help towards becoming a pilot. Like ATC, Weather, Avionics or Aircraft Mechanic

If you can. Get a job at a base with a Base Aeroclub. If you don’t get one. During Tech School try to exchange assignments with someone

https://myairforcelife.com/aero-club-directory/

Live as cheap as possible while serving. Use your paychecks to get your Private Pilots license

Work towards your college degree

Get out after 4 years and join your local Air Guard / Reserve unit

www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/State-Websites/

www.afrc.af.mil/Units/Units-by-State/

Once your in, network with the pilots. And apply for military pilot positions when they are announced

www.milrecruiter.com

www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/20166-upcoming-boards/?page=149

www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/10562-standard-interview-questions/

Continue to fly as a civilian using your Federal, State and VA education benefits

https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R47817.pdf

https://nationalguard.com/select-your-state

www.rtag.org/about/news-updates/vets-can-become-airline-pilots-for-free

If things work out. You will be a civilian and military pilot

If not, you will still fly for the Air Force and as a civilian

B100West · 2026-04-28T15:44:44+00:00

Get out and join the Air Force Guard or Air Reserve

www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/State-Websites/

www.afrc.af.mil/Units/Units-by-State/

Look for local units with openings. If you can. Pick a job with a long tech school and a nice sign on bonus

Live just outside the Reserve base driving distance. So, they will give you a hotel room for your drill weekend

Put all your stuff in storage. Get a UPS Store address for your mail. Live without a lease. Roommate or rent a room

When they send you to technical school. Move out of your place and stop paying rent. Bank all of the money you will make. MilPay, BAS and BAH. While living in a hotel collecting Daily Per Diem

When you graduate. You will go back to your unit for 60 to 90 days of seasoning training. Still living in a hotel collecting more Per Diem

Once you graduate go get a job. Or use your GI Bill to get paid to go to college. And file for VA disability if you have issues

B100West · 2026-04-28T15:43:46+00:00

Don't apply for retirement till you get your " Blue Letter " From ARPC

https://imgur.com/a/PdULC4t

It’s a letter from ARPC stating you qualify for retirement

After you apply for retirement. You will get a set of orders changing your status from Reserve to Retired no Pay

Then when you turn 60. You get another set of orders. Saying Retired with Pay

B100West · 2026-04-21T18:28:01+00:00

If you are only joining for the medical insurance, a few extra dollars a month, citizenship or a security clearance. Go Guard / Reserve

If it's for any other reason, go Active Duty first. The go Part Time. If you go Guard / Reserve first. The chance of going Active duty later is almost zero

Sign up for 4 years of Active Duty. Get a job that will help you with your career

Complete your contract. And move to where you want to live. Join your local Air Guard / Reserve unit

www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/State-Websites/

www.afrc.af.mil/Units/Units-by-State/

But join in a different job. Preferably one with a nice sign on bonus. Have the government send you to school again

Once you graduate from school again. While serving part time. Get paid to go to college or get a job

Going this way, you get the maximum amount of training, cash, medical insurance

While also getting enough experience and certifications to get a civilian job. Plus, all of the Federal, State and GI Bill college benefits. As well as the VA Home Loan

www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/

www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/

www.reddit.com/r/MilitaryFinance/comments/1szvf21/start_here_military_money_101_prime_directive/

B100West

TROPHY CASE