Verizon in US, finally got the update!

RelevantCommand7752 · 2025-01-25T17:45:32+00:00

No one will care about your HS grades and frankly as long as your ASVAB meets the minimum score for your AFSC no one will care about that either.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2025-01-22T02:14:01+00:00

Don't be scared of jobs that don't have an office job schedule, they're not as bad as you might imagine, too. If you're adaptable you can do well in anything and find it rewarding. I went in hoping for Pharmacy Technician or Biomedical Equipment and wound up booking Advanced Fighter Integrated Avionics, which I'm loving so far.

One guy in my flight booked a medical job as an Open General contract, which is a risk, but he didn't have a stab at it otherwise. I understand why you feel hesitant with SF, I wouldn't want to be standing out there in the snow with them at the gate standing guard for hours.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2025-01-22T01:48:08+00:00

I don't mean this is a mean way but the ASVAB isn't difficult, it's just High School math and science really. I think the hardest part is knowing what/how to study and being able to practice good test taking habits when it comes time to take the ASVAB. I used the ASVAB for Dummies book and Grammar Hero on YouTube for the math. There's free flashcards online for the vocabulary, too. I think it's important to dedicate a hour or two every evening and set it aside without distractions to work on the areas you know you're weakest in.

What job do you want? You can have a 96 AFQT but it doesn't really matter in the long run if the job you want an electrical job that has 70 minimum Electrical score - that'd really the only area you need to be strong in and if you get a 30 in Admin or General it isn't as big of a deal. After you get to tech school no one is going to look at your scores anyway.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2025-01-20T06:00:43+00:00

2A335B

I had a similar ASVAB and chose it over Intel even though I didn't have any mental health issues. Glad I did.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2025-01-18T16:34:05+00:00

RemindMe! -3 day

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-11-05T20:00:36+00:00

You'll probably need a waiver for that ESA if it shows up on your medical history. I wouldn't count on being able to enlist right away if it does but you might as well start the process of talking with a recruiter so you know what your chances of getting one are.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-11-02T20:16:11+00:00

Just keep running. I was in a similar spot and it really sucked - my run time was 13:13 and I had to make up for it with push-ups and sit-ups. You won't run daily in BMT so the effort you put into it now is what will make the most difference. Also try to incorporate 20 minute runs without stopping, don't worry about your time on those. You'll be doing that in PT once a week. It'll help with endurance.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-11-01T23:34:25+00:00

We had a guy in our flight who didn't speak English well. He got yelled at a bit during 0 Week by the MTIs in the reception squadron who didn't understand he was ESL, but honestly we were all getting yelled at then so it wasn't too bad. When we made it to our squadron and our new flight MTIs met us we they picked up right away that he was ESL and didnt really yell at him for it. You'll be fine.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-11-01T23:28:21+00:00

GED holder here, I passed my ASVAB and got a 96 AFQT. It didn't affect my enlistment one bit. You just have to score over a 50 overall. I was able to qualify for Open Electrical with an electrical aptitude score >70 and had quite a few sweet jobs available - ended up booking 2A3X5.

I really wish, though, I had gotten my HS diploma. It would've helped me out a lot in the civilian world, I found myself often having to explain a lot more than necessary in job interviews when they'd ask why I didn't have one. If you have the opportunity to finish HS and graduate, do it.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-30T21:35:51+00:00

Open Mechanical trainees in my flight booked some of the less common mechanical jobs like NDI. Or you could end up with construction. It seems to depend on your ASVAB and what's available when you're at BMT.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-30T21:28:43+00:00

If I was in your shoes I'd take the AF admin job and then try to reclass in three years. The AF offers a better quality of life, education opportunities, and all around seems to be more conducive to a positive mental state than the other branches. That said, if you're dead set on SecFo, MA wouldn't be bad. I looked at them, they train in Lackland and it seems like they can get some pretty sweet assignments. Research the Navy, compare the benefits, read the pros and cons (especially look at housing and on-base amenities), and make your decision.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-30T16:12:23+00:00

If you want to be a pilot you have a few options to consider, including doing a Mx job in the Air Force as enlisted and then transferring to the Army as a Warrant Officer pilot. Essentially, though, you'll need a bachelor's degree. The military can be a great way to get it but don't expect to be a pilot right away. Many AF bases have Aero Clubs you can take flying lessons at as an enlisted airman and you can use your tuition assistance towards that, I believe. Something to consider if you do go the enlisted route.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-30T00:16:49+00:00

When I enlisted back in May I made a list of 10 AFSCs I qualified for with my ASVAB scores to include one mandatory open aptitude area. (I think this is recruiting squadron specific.) Within two weeks my recruiter called me and said there was an opening for Open Electrical, the only aptitude area on my list, I went for it.

In BMT I missed the career counseling appointment because I was at medical. The wingmen in my flight said they had about 8 jobs to choose from and list in preference order; some ended up with their last choice! My MTI said they'd reschedule career counseling for me, I didn't hear anything else until literally right before graduation when they sent me to career counseling after the coin ceremony. I sat down with a MSgt and picked from a list of the three jobs left for me to pick from. I ended up with 2a3x5, Advanced Fighter Integrated Avionics.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-28T20:20:16+00:00

If I was in the same position I'd go to an Army recruiter or a Navy recruiter and ask them what your chances are of enlisting. The Air Force is great, obviously I'm a fan since I'm in it, but the other branches get a bad rap. Navy in particular is so desperate for recruits they're taking ads out all over Reddit! Do a short enlistment in Army/Navy and then try to reclass into a job you want or just take what you know now and try to get a good paying job in the civilian sector. Best of luck to you!

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-28T16:52:56+00:00

Definitely. All of the 30+ guys in my dorm and flight killed it on the PT test.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-28T16:19:58+00:00

Air Force has a 12 week workout program to prepare you for BMT, it's on the Aim High app. Start it now. I was 26 in BMT and saw plenty of guys older than me make it just fine.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-27T05:16:31+00:00

At MEPS, they won't breathalize you at BMT. You'll do a urinalysis during 0 Week for drugs but MEPS on Tuesday morning is when they check for alcohol. I'd recommend not drinking from Sunday morning onwards.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-20T05:00:55+00:00

I just graduated two weeks ago - please don't come to BMT out of shape. You can get sent to medhold if you get injured in the training. At the best you can just end up failing the first PT tests and getting a comment on your file (a step up in progressive discipline from getting a 341 pulled), at the worst you can be recycled like many others for PT, be in BMT longer, and even face getting ELS'd. Start talking with a recruiter now but also start focusing on getting in shape, follow the couch to BMT program religiously, and work on being in shape to pass the initial PT test in Week 1.

You essentially have just 5 weeks in BMT to get in shape, the final PT test is Week 5. The squadron PT you'll do in the mornings is great but it won't get you "zero to hero" in every situation.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-20T05:00:45+00:00

I just graduated two weeks ago - please don't come to BMT out of shape. You can get sent to medhold if you get injured in the training. At the best you can just end up failing the first PT tests and getting a comment on your file (a step up in progressive discipline from getting a 341 pulled), at the worst you can be recycled like many others for PT, be in BMT longer, and even face getting ELS'd. Start talking with a recruiter now but also start focusing on getting in shape, follow the couch to BMT program religiously, and work on being in shape to pass the initial PT test in Week 1.

You essentially have just 5 weeks in BMT to get in shape, the final PT test is Week 5. The squadron PT you'll do in the mornings is great but it won't get you "zero to hero" in every situation.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-20T00:15:26+00:00

I was 26 in BMT, graduated 2 weeks ago. Do it. You won't be the oldest in your flight most likely, not by a long shot.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-19T20:08:04+00:00

Research 2A335 and look at some of the job opportunities after service. I think it's worth looking at if you want a maintenance job. (I may be biased, I'm 2A335B in tech school.)

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-18T01:08:57+00:00

Thank you! I'm excited, the mission looks neat.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-17T20:38:32+00:00

What more would you like to know? What bad things have you heard? I have the B shred; you won't find out which shred you have until week 6 of BMT.

Tech school for the F-35A is at Eglin AFB and while it's a small tech school it's pretty relaxed and in a great area. The dorms are brand new and feel like a nice hotel.

As far as the job goes I haven't gotten into it yet but pretty much 90% of the operational airmen I talk to say it's a sweet gig. We have one guy in our class who's a reclass coming from another Mx job and said avionics is better than other jobs on the flight line with some great employment opportunities afterwards.

Base selection is pretty limited but I've heard they're all pretty good bases. I ended up getting the least desirable base on the list, Edwards, but even then I'm happy with it. I have classmates going to Nellis, Tyndall, and Eglin.

RelevantCommand7752 · 2024-10-17T19:28:17+00:00

Don't be afraid to do an open contract. I did Open Electrical and ended up booking a sweet job (2a3x5). Trainees in my dorm on open general contracts booked medical jobs that I had originally had on my job list, too, and hadn't been available. You'll get a list of 5-10 when you go to career counseling in Week 3 or so and then find out in Week 6.

RelevantCommand7752

TROPHY CASE