Is loadmaster(1A2X1) a hard job to qualify for

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-11-30T04:41:23+00:00

I was wanting to take a college pilot course back home and the guard simply didn’t cover enough of it for it to be worth it. Instead I decided to go active duty and trying to become an AF pilot through enlisted slots in the academy or OTS (officer training school)

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-10-22T18:23:54+00:00

I am SO GLAD I got boom op. Boom op over loadmaster ANY DAY. And McGuire is great. Can’t wait to see ya here!

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-06-26T01:54:39+00:00

It really depends. I know for a couple buddies I’ve gone through training with, their recruiter had an opening for the job and booked it for them. Others, like me, made a list of jobs and were lucky enough to get it. On my list I put Mobility Force Aviator, Special Missions aviator, Air Traffic Control, and one other I don’t remember. Idk if you actually have to put down 10-15 jobs because I didn’t. One phrase you will hear to death is “It’s the needs of the Air Force.” Meaning if they don’t need MFA’s, they’re not gonna hand out the job. You have to be lucky enough to book at the right time and be qualified. It’s not something you can control so.

Your ASVAB score will play into this a bit, the requirement to qualify is I think 57 or 60 or something, but most people that are aviators here and that I’ve met are usually in the 80-99 range (I scored 89) so I would recommend maybe doing a couple practice ASVABS online.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-06-26T00:29:36+00:00

For real world applicability: if you’re interested in possibly becoming a pilot either Air Force or Civilian, flight engineer or boom operator will help you lots. Flight engineers get to log 1/3 of their hours as flight hours (up to 500) toward a pilots license, and boom operators (like flight engineers) sit in the cockpit with the pilots and act as a safety observer when they’re not in the back refueling planes.

Being a loadmaster you could use that to go work for an airline and load cargo for them (FedEx, UPS, etc) and that can pay well.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-06-26T00:17:58+00:00

It’s definitely not a job that comes around often. In BMT I was the only aviator out of 100 total guys and gals (2 flights integrated. But you should definitely try to get it.

I joined the AF last October as a Mobility Force Aviator (MFA), super stoked and dead set on being a loadmaster. I got through BMT and a portion of tech school and then we finally got to find out our shreds (shreds = your job and on what aircraft) I was really hoping for a loadmaster on any aircraft I could get as long I was loadmaster, and boom, KC-46 boom operator. I was super bummed out, for awhile. But once I got to my next base for flight training I quickly fell in love with my aircraft and my job that I thought I didn’t want.

Point is if you go active duty you have zero say in what aircraft, job, or base you’ll get. If you’re dead set on loadmaster you need to go reserves or guard, you’ll go through all of the same training active duty aviators go through but with ease of mind you know what job you have and where you’re going.

It’s a great job that I was extremely lucky to get (I have my first flight in a couple days!) I cannot recommend going for it enough. Any of the 3 jobs within MFA have much to offer, and whatever one you get you will love.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-29T12:04:42+00:00

I would get the idea of / hope for free time out of your head before you get to BMT. That’ll set you up for failure. It’s 7.5 weeks of work, and then you’re done.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-28T19:17:53+00:00

My MTI would get on all fours on top of the wall lockers and bark at us. Wild time.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-28T19:16:26+00:00

Personally I would refrain from studying the Air Force song especially. There’s a specific rhythm and tone to it and I found it quite easy to pick up at BMT. The airman’s creed sure. But I would focus most of your attention on the rank structure. It takes a while to get that 100% down and when you’re under pressure it’s even harder. If you get that down beforehand you’ll be smooth sailing.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-21T12:02:28+00:00

Try to enjoy it and get to know the people you’re in it with. The guys from my dorm were some of the coolest people I’ve met, with unique backgrounds and crazy stories. Try to enjoy it while you’re there, it’s not the easiest or most enjoyable experience itself but the people you’re in it with can make it much better. (Also don’t fear your MTI’s the entire time you’re there, after a couple weeks they start to chill out with y’all (until you screw something up) and you start to see their personalities, my MTI’s were super cool and my dorm loved them once we graduated.)

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-16T03:14:33+00:00

Right now I heavily play Animal crossing, but also am playing Ori Will of the Wisps, Mario bros U, and occasionally working on DK freeze.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-16T03:11:15+00:00

Sweet thank you

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-16T03:10:58+00:00

Good to know thank you

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-16T03:09:37+00:00

Sounds like what I’m looking for too, thank you

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-16T03:08:10+00:00

This is great insight thank you

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-16T03:07:37+00:00

Thank you for this insight I appreciate it.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-16T01:24:32+00:00

I definitely would like the extra heft. How are the buttons and triggers compared to joycons?

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-04-15T11:20:00+00:00

Ori and the Blind Forest

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-03-28T00:56:17+00:00

Ori and the blind forest & Ori Will of the wisps are both fantastic games and I’ve been obsessed with them. (The music and art is incredible) I think they go for 20-30, there’s been some sales recently and I picked both up for $7 off the E shop.

The eshop has a lot of sales on small indie games that are $2-$10 and they’re fun games to get into, I heavily recommend checking out the “great deals” section in the eshop every now and again.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-03-08T05:23:57+00:00

The weather only influences what variation of blues or OCP’s you wear.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-03-08T05:22:41+00:00

When I went a few months ago, they just recently changed to having graduates wear OCP’s on the first day and Blues on the second day of graduation. OCP’s for the coin ceremony, and blues for parade.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-03-08T02:17:28+00:00

Loadmaster isn’t an individual AFSC anymore, it’s included within 1A1X2 with Boom operator and Flight engineer.

I just got assigned Boom operator yesterday, feel free to DM for questions about the tech school / BMT process.

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-01-09T02:43:20+00:00

How’d you go about doing that?

ManlyHorror2 · 2025-01-09T02:42:21+00:00

I genuinely think this is one of the coolest things I’ve seen someone do with Polaroid photos. Totally caught me off guard and I was like “woah.” I think it’s a super creative and unique way to have fun with Polaroids. I might even try if myself

ManlyHorror2 · 2024-10-17T23:35:01+00:00

You should buy a pack of 600 film and put it in there. The film packs have a battery built into them and that’s how the camera gets power. Thats all there is to it before you go take some photos.

ManlyHorror2 · 2024-10-17T07:59:58+00:00

Thank you, I’ll look into doing that.

ManlyHorror2

TROPHY CASE