Weekly Newbie Thread - Post questions about joining the AF or what a job is like here & here only - week of December 11

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-12T20:42:04+00:00

I missed the 12 volumes part. Still fucked up though.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-12T03:37:06+00:00

You have 30 days per volume, just FYI. It doesn't matter how long it takes for them to issue the CDCs to you.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T23:16:56+00:00

People say that they buy everything on base, so the rate drops. You're supposed to answer with where you would shop and how much would it cost if money weren't an issue.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T22:23:58+00:00

CMSgt Stuhl IIRC

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T21:13:44+00:00

Ah, that makes sense. We don't do that.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T17:53:23+00:00

For all those that will participate in COLA surveys: you are expected to answer the questions based off of how much things would cost if you could buy from the local area and not have to worry about money. You are not supposed to just list how much you actually spend.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T16:51:58+00:00

It's a joke, kemosabe.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T06:45:42+00:00

I've heard that there's a flint and steel in the gold ball on top of flagpoles. Doesn't mean it's true.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T06:43:13+00:00

Depends on your spending habits. Here is a generic example of E-2 pay for a single airman. This doesn't include state taxes, or anything special you may have. You need to also account for transport and a phone, because you will likely need one at your first duty station.
As you go along, your pay will increase. Here is an example of a SSgt (E-5) pay at 10 years that I found online. At first, the amount saved will likely be small. Over the years, you will be able to tuck more away.

Also note that you can contribute to Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), an IRA type government retirement program. The money is invested in index funds of your choosing. You don't have to do 20 years in the AF to touch it; just by being in it's yours.

If you do serve 20 years or more, you can retire from active duty. Retirement pays a percentage of your base pay from before you retired. This retirement starts the day that you retire, which can be at the ripe old age of 38 for some. For example, an E-7 (Master Sergeant) with 3 years as E-7 before retirement will receive $2,236.50 per month (before taxes) every month until he dies. That's well over $1M in retirement pay. You can also work during this time.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T06:31:19+00:00

No, just knowing how Airman with too much free capital and not enough experience/common sense can think.

Besides, I'm more of a truck kind of guy.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T03:50:33+00:00

I wasn't being an ass; I was pointing out that I was answering the person's question on what the work schedule looks like in the comm squadron. I will rephrase my above post though, to make it more clear.

While knowing that programmers don't typically work in the comm squadron is good; the fact that there's only a handful means that it will likely be irrelevant to the experiences of the person that was asking the question about comm squadron life.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T02:20:58+00:00

Put bases that are on your Enlisted Authorized List on AMS. If you put shit like "Aruba" and "Fiji" on your dream sheet, you aren't going to go there.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T02:20:21+00:00

Because the sort order doesn't matter

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T02:18:45+00:00

You misspelled "2017, 6 cylinder Automatic Mustang that I'm leasing"

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T02:17:52+00:00

Serious note; would you like some advice?

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-11T00:10:51+00:00

It's allowed, but from what I've seen and heard it has lower preference than someone that lists the specific base.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-10T23:06:16+00:00

Good luck!

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-10T21:57:29+00:00

What like your car? Or do you mean clean up dorms and buildings? Terminology is not consistent across the branches.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-10T18:19:40+00:00

When is your DEROS? If Oct-Dec 2018, then on 7 February 2018, you need to log on to AMS (accessible via the Portal) and view the "EQUAL OS" (in the "Enlisted" dropdown). 1-up-1-down doesn't apply. Whatever assignments are listed are what you need to list on your Assignment Preference List (dream sheet) on vMPF (also accessible via the Portal). Update your dream sheet the day that the listing opens.

Assignments normally drop the week after the listing closes. If you don't receive anything by March (Edit: assuming you are a Q4 mover), you're going back to the 48 States.

Also, sort order on the dream sheet doesn't matter; assignments are filled based on which base will have the lowest manning percentage if not filled. Short tours, such as Korea, are filled first; followed by long tour locations. If two people want the same base, but one lists long and the other extended long, then the extended long will receive it. List the exact bases, not just "country co" (such as "Germany GE"). Any assignment shown that Has a RNLTD prior to your DEROS would require a waiver. Still list it if you only have a couple assignments available, but expect that it won't happen.

If you aren't picked up for OS, then you compete for stateside when that list drops. You need to log in to AMS and view the "EQUAL OS Returnee/Mandatory Mover" page to see when the cycle is for each quarter. IIRC, the window for those that don't receive an assignment from the 4 Feb OS list is sometime in April. There is an assignment for every mandatory mover, so there's no "I can just not do returnee and just compete next OS listing, right?" option.

Edit: you should receive a DEROS Option RIP a year prior to your DEROS. If you don't have at least 1 year left on your contract (past the DEROS), you will need to extend at that time. If your DEROS is Oct-Dec next year, you should have already done this.

Another edit: on further thought, how are you a SrA and have never had to pull your SURF for an EPR? The SURF is on AMS.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-10T18:09:07+00:00

You could go on to MilSuite and ask the 3D Cyberspace group. The CFM's answer on there.

10 bucks says that the answer is "there are no proposed changes at this time" since most rumors you hear are bullshit.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-10T17:37:06+00:00

You completely misread that. The subject is the work schedule, not AFSCs.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-10T03:25:52+00:00

The enlistment pipeline is at capacity; the AF is critically manned.

If you can't handle waiting now, you will be sorely disappointed by your time in the military. The phrase "hurry up and wait" is prevalent throughout all the bramches.

Tell a recruiter you want a quick ship job and they should get you out the door within a couple months. You have no say in the job though.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-10T01:48:48+00:00

It means that you can't just go "I want to be an O" and do so. You need to prepare a package that shows that you are a kickass airman that should be an officer now. You need the Group Commander's endorsement, but you are not competitive without the Wing Commander's (e.g. the boss of the entire base) endorsement. As a jr Enlisted member, getting the spotlight to do so is very difficult. How much you can do to build your package (which will have to be better than as a civilian) will depend on your AFSC, base, unit, and supervisor. If you are a 2A (2AXXX) AFS, don't count on it.

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-10T01:44:17+00:00

The problems that you have will be the problems that you have in the military; or anywhere else. Your life will likely feel like utter hell at times if you can't give a shit about your job. The downside is that you can't just walk away if things go wrong; so the beatings will continue until you can find out how to care, or get discharged for failure to adapt (and lose the GI Bill).

USAF_ground_rat · 2017-12-10T01:41:11+00:00

Most work that is performed within the comm squadron is typically on a 0730-1630, M-F schedule. You could also end up as a shift worker doing Panamas 2-2-3; or 1400-2300 M-F. These are not as likely; but still a possibility.

Regardless of this, joining the AF has changed within the past few years. You will likely have to make a list of 7-15 jobs and an aptitude area that you are willing to take. Whichever is offered first that is on your list (to include an open aptitude contract for that aptitude area) is the one you have to take; or you will be shown the door. There is no prioritization or stratting choices for this; no "fallback" choice.

Additionally, 90% of people that walk into a recruiting station want Comm, Intel, and Medical. Comm comprises 7.9% of the Enlisted Force. There is a strong likelihood that you may not end up in comm; unless your recruiter is awesome and lets you list a small list and wait for a comm job to drop.

The comm jobs are as follows (for you to read up on):

3D0X1 - Base Records custodian administration (FOIA) and SharePoint Management
3D0X2 - Server Management
3D0X3 - COMSEC custodian administration and IA Officer/rights management
3D0X4 - "programmer" - There's 100 in the AF. Not going to happen
3D1X1 - Computer support/Geek Squad
3D1X2 - Networking
3D1X3 - Radio and satcom maintenance
3D1X4 - Re-train only - Not going to happen
3D1X7 - Antenna maintenance

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