Made AF Contact - Assistance

C150J

C150J

Well-Known Member
Hi all -

I have been considering military service for three years now, and finally made initial contact with a recruiting office. I will probably be hearing from them within the week. My quals:

- B.S., Cornell University
- CFI (650/100), C-ASMEL
- Law Enforcement Experience (mostly through local/state/federal internships)
- 23 y/o

I know that I have quite a few questions, and certainly don't expect someone to give a comprehensive answer. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

1. I am very interested in serving as an officer - what I do is secondary. HOWEVER, I am naturally interested in flying and AFOSI. I know that one can apply to OTS "Pilot Only." Is there such a thing for AFOSI?

2. What is the deal with "expeditionary security forces?" Is this actually different from the "regular" SF? Are the officer duties not that attractive (I haven't heard good things, but it's all second-hand knowledge). I am mainly interested in the outside-the-fence operations.

3. I'm not sure of their official name now (used to be FAQs, maybe it's Tactical Air Controller now, not sure), but is this something that is within reach? I was never a super-athlete, but do have the ability to get into great shape (not PJ level though).

4. To reiterate, I am interested in whether or not I can choose these positions prior to "signing the line." I have a strong urge to serve, but would gain some peace of mind knowing what I'm going in for.

Thanks!
J.
 
As, JH can attest, acronyms aren't my thing. So I don't know half what what you're talking about.

However, I will offer this: Take anything a recruiter says with a grain of salt. I believe Officer recruiters are only 2/3 full of *poop* as enlisted recruiters. He's still a recruiter!!

Also, look into the guard or reserves. Errybody said thats the best deal going because you know your location and your aircraft.

Let me know what you got on your AFOQT. I'm taking it on 9/8.
 
Thanks frog - I'll let you know (have to take that new BAT too, I'm sure).

I am trying to set up a meet-and-greet with the 174th out of SYR (Vipers). Couple of Cornell grads up there.

J.
 
I'm thinking that AFRES recruiters must be different than AD Officer recruiters? I better track them down...

J.
 
The Combat Control Officer is the modern-day AF FAC (not FAQ). I've heard that they're the shiznit much like the PJs. I don't think being a CCO is any less demanding-physically or mentally-than being a PJ. Just my $.02. And before you ask, I'm not an A-10 pilot; I picked the screen name long ago when JC was still a newborn child of Doug's.
 
Thanks Shyhawk - I'll be in touch as soon as I have a heart to heart with Officer Accessions!

J.
 
I'm almost positive osi has officer slots. As far as pilot slot it depends how u go in. I was explained that you needed to go via ROTC and bid for a pilot slot. You cant just come in off the street with a BA and say I want to fly F-15's doesn't work that way. A recruiter at the ROTC dept at a school will have all your answers. Don't listen to a enlisted recruiter for your needs he can't do anything about it. I know I was AF active duty for 6 years and separated about 1 1/2 ago.
 
A buddy of mine who was in AF OSI said that officer pretty much does the same thing enlisted do for a few months (investigating, busting idiots) then usually get stuck behind a desk for the rest of thier entire career...
 
The Security Forces don't really have a good reputation in the AF; the reputation that they have are that they aren't necessarily the best and brightest. I knew a guy who was in SF as an officer. He led a flight occasionally during an exercise, but most of it was handling administrative stuff.

Combat controller is a cool job. That's one I'd do.

What's your BS in? As an engineer, I had a chance to go into OSI, as they needed people who had engineering experience to investigate defense contractors who commit fraud in their engineering projects. The OSI was one of those areas that had a wide range of specialties within it, and certain skills were in high demand (such as engineering), so there are certain skills that might make you more likely to get a slot within it. OSI is one of those weird areas, though, that doesn't quite work like the normal AF. For example, there is no rank in the OSI (at least not in the public sense) as they are simply referred to as "Special Agent" instead of Sgt or Lt. They also are managed out of regional offices directed from the HQ in DC to avoid the influence of local commanders. It's a tight and secretive community.
 
C150J said:
Hi all -

I have been considering military service for three years now, and finally made initial contact with a recruiting office. I will probably be hearing from them within the week. My quals:

- B.S., Cornell University
- CFI (650/100), C-ASMEL
- Law Enforcement Experience (mostly through local/state/federal internships)
- 23 y/o

I know that I have quite a few questions, and certainly don't expect someone to give a comprehensive answer. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

1. I am very interested in serving as an officer - what I do is secondary. HOWEVER, I am naturally interested in flying and AFOSI. I know that one can apply to OTS "Pilot Only." Is there such a thing for AFOSI?

2. What is the deal with "expeditionary security forces?" Is this actually different from the "regular" SF? Are the officer duties not that attractive (I haven't heard good things, but it's all second-hand knowledge). I am mainly interested in the outside-the-fence operations.

3. I'm not sure of their official name now (used to be FAQs, maybe it's Tactical Air Controller now, not sure), but is this something that is within reach? I was never a super-athlete, but do have the ability to get into great shape (not PJ level though).

4. To reiterate, I am interested in whether or not I can choose these positions prior to "signing the line." I have a strong urge to serve, but would gain some peace of mind knowing what I'm going in for.

Thanks!
J.
Click to expand...

1) Not sure what you mean on this one. You want to be a pilot for OSI? Huh? You mean, can you go OSI only? No. When you attend OCS you put down what field you would like to go into and they decide from there based on your education, performance, etc. Obviously, pilot slots can be decided in advance.

2) Expeditionary Security Forces are just normal old security forces when they are deployed away from their home station. No different.

3) CCT, Combat Control, is much more than the FAC or TACP. CCT has the exact same physical fitness standards as PJ, so if you can't hang for PJ, you can't hang for CCT. They do all the exact same training except CCT goes to Air Traffic training while PJs go to Combat Medic training.

4) it's a mixed bag. Sometimes they guarantee you a pilot slot in advance. Sometimes you have to compete when you get to OTS.

Best of luck to you!
 
MikeD said:
I hear Syracuse is getting/got BRACd.
Click to expand...

BTW, did they get to keep their "Boys from Syracuse" moniker, or did that have to go away when the PC police came to town? I remember some lawsuit when I was at the Griff, but don't remember what came of it.
 
Mike Lewis said:
BTW, did they get to keep their "Boys from Syracuse" moniker, or did that have to go away when the PC police came to town? I remember some lawsuit when I was at the Griff, but don't remember what came of it.
Click to expand...

Nope. Had to get rid of it.
 
C150J said:
Hi all -

I have been considering military service for three years now, and finally made initial contact with a recruiting office. I will probably be hearing from them within the week. My quals:

- B.S., Cornell University
- CFI (650/100), C-ASMEL
- Law Enforcement Experience (mostly through local/state/federal internships)
- 23 y/o

I know that I have quite a few questions, and certainly don't expect someone to give a comprehensive answer. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

1. I am very interested in serving as an officer - what I do is secondary. HOWEVER, I am naturally interested in flying and AFOSI. I know that one can apply to OTS "Pilot Only." Is there such a thing for AFOSI?

2. What is the deal with "expeditionary security forces?" Is this actually different from the "regular" SF? Are the officer duties not that attractive (I haven't heard good things, but it's all second-hand knowledge). I am mainly interested in the outside-the-fence operations.

3. I'm not sure of their official name now (used to be FAQs, maybe it's Tactical Air Controller now, not sure), but is this something that is within reach? I was never a super-athlete, but do have the ability to get into great shape (not PJ level though).

4. To reiterate, I am interested in whether or not I can choose these positions prior to "signing the line." I have a strong urge to serve, but would gain some peace of mind knowing what I'm going in for.

Thanks!
J.
Click to expand...

All I can say is 'Needs of the Air Force' come first. You can try to get it in writing, but I doubt you ever will--recruiters are much to savvy when it comes to all this. You can hope that you get a job that you were promised, but what it really comes down to is needs of the Air Force.

I'm an ex-Air Force officer (10 yrs of service) and I have yet to meet anyone that has been promised a job prior to singing their name on the dotted line and actually gotten it--not that that doesn't happen.

My suggestion to you is to get in touch with someone who does exactly what you want to do in the Air Force and pick their brain for as much info as possible, but even then be wary. Things change at the drop of a dime and it all boils down to timing and needs of the Air Force. As Kennedy once said, '...Ask what you can do for your country.'

Also, remember that you must score well on the AFOQT (the Air Force's entry test determining your job aptitudes) to qualify for certain jobs in the eyes of the USAF and that's most likely what you'll get. If you rank well in electronics, you may end up in Acquisitions. Do well on the english portion and you may well in up in Contracting. No real rhyme or reason as to the job you get though; you have to be on the inside to really understand how it all works and by then you've got a job you may or may not like.

Best of luck to ya if you do join! I say join the Coast Guard instead and enjoy the ride.
 
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