Careers in the US Air Force

16 Pages·2006·0.14 MB·English

by  Institute for Career Research

©2006 Institute for Career Research
http://www.careers-internet.org/ [2/28/2006 11:39:06 AM]
Institute for Research - Careers in the United States Air Force
BEYOND PILOTS, A RANGE OF OVER 150 CAREER SPECIALTIES FROM
ENGINEERING TO COMMUNICATIONS, AVIONICS TO BAND
l E nlisted personnel: $25,000 to $65,000 annually l H igh school diploma or equivalent
l O fficers: $40,000 to $180,000 l J unior Reserve Officer Training Corp.(JROTC)
Program
l R eserve Officer Training Corp.(ROTC) Program
l P hysically fit
l O fficer Training School
l S trongly motivated
l A ir Force Academy
l R eady to take risks
l T hink quickly & react calmly
l A ble to take direction & orders l B enifits
l A ble to react & respond on a moment's notice l T raining
l P romotions
l T ravel
l S upport & handle much of the day-to-day
l J ob security
operations
l R etirement packages
l O versee many of the base's functions, such as
ordering & allocation of supplies
l K eep records for vehicle & aircraft logs &
l P ay scale
maintenance
l S trict regulations
l S pecialize in aircraft systems
l M ust be physically fit
l H andle routine air transportation duties
l A ir Force will also dictate where you live
l T ransport troops & material goods to other bases
or combat zones l A ir Force requires you to commit to specific
lengths of duty
l O versee the operations of all technical aspects of
base life l Y ou can be called out of regular duties to support
war efforts at anytime
l A ll over the world
The image many people have of the US Air Force is one of valiant pilots using high-tech aircraft to protect the US
in times of war and to enforce peacekeeping duties in times of accord. That's not an inaccurate picture of today's
Air Force, but it is a far from complete picture. For every pilot taking to the skies in an space-age jet, there are
thousands of people managing every detail that leads to the pilot's takeoff, and these people are working all over
the world to keep Air Force bases running smoothly and efficiently.
The Air Force provides a broad range of opportunities, everything from administrative to training to medical to
engineering types of careers, with the majority of these going to people who will never need to enter an airplane's
cockpit. Many people do not realize the wide variety of skills necessary to manage such a complex operation,
and consequently they may be missing out on a worthwhile career path.
The Air Force offers positions for service through enlistment or through officer's programs, as well as civilian
roles. People looking for work that will allow them to advance in their careers and continue their education would
do well to consider opportunities offered by the Air Force, which offers a number of advancement possibilities
and continuous training. The Air Force also offers excellent benefits and retirement programs, along with skills
that transfer well into the private sector.
While a number of people sign up for the Air Force as a temporary stage in their career path (to help finance
further education or to take a break between high school and college), there are many thousands of people who
have made work in the Air Force their life's career. The well-defined career roles, strategies for advancement and
disciplined environment are appealing to them, and they feel their skills are being used in a highly productive,
respected manner.
The Air Force may not be for everyone, and this report will examine both the positive and unattractive features of
such a career. But like any other career, you do not have to sign up for a lifetime commitment at the outset, but
can take a few years to determine if you and the Air Force are indeed a good long-term partnership. Whatever
you decide, you will have gained valuable experience and expertise in your chosen field while learning more
about how this organization works overall.
The Air Force is different than the civilian world - there are clearly defined paths to advancement, and the military
hierarchy and discipline may not suit everyone. But you may find yourself working with some of the best people
in your field with hands-on opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge base. Joining the Air Force may be
just what you need to develop a lifetime career in which your ability to succeed is limited only by your willingness
to work hard and continue learning. Reading this career guide carefully will give you a broad overview of the
opportunities, requirements, and pros and cons of such a career.
You Can Start Exploring This Career Today
It's never too soon to start pursuing a career with the Air Force. If you're in high school, talk to your school's
guidance or career counselor and consider taking a personality inventory, which is designed to help you narrow
down the types of work best suited for you. Because there is a broad range of opportunities, being able to
concentrate on a few good choices rather than all of the options will save you time and frustration.
The next step would be to talk to someone in the Air Force. Perhaps you know someone currently working in an
Air Force position; that would be a good resource to start with. If there is a recruiting office near you, make an
appointment to talk about the different opportunities and what it would take for you to build a successful career in
the Air Force. The recruiting station will be staffed with current Air Force employees, who can help answer your
questions and concerns. They will also, along with your guidance counselor, be able to recommend the best way
to use your high school curriculum or planned college curriculum to advance your career.
Explore the extensive information available on the Air Force Internet site, which gives detailed information on
different bases, job opportunities, and potential for growth. It's important to remember that entry level Air Force
staff, whether enlisted or officer, do not always get their first choice of base assignments, so do not set your
heart on a specific location. You will be assigned based on your skills and experience more than your preference
for assignment.
Don't neglect your schoolwork; education is an important function of Air Force careers, especially for long-term
employees. Those interested in promotions or officer schools should consider becoming involved in
extracurricular activities that offer leadership roles, such as student body government or heading committees or
organizations. Being able to demonstrate leadership capabilities will help you pursue the kind of career you will
want.
Finally, don't neglect your physical fitness. Whatever type of work you take on with the Air Force, you will be
expected to be in good physical shape, even if your work keeps you behind a desk all day. Start now with a
training program to develop your strength and stamina.
Of the military organizations in the US, the Air Force is relatively new. Unlike the Army and Navy, which have
been in existence for over 200 years, the Air Force was not officially created until 1947. Its roots reach only to the
beginning of the 20th century, when Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first fully functional airplane. As early as
the Civil War, hot air balloons had been used in combat, but their lack of control and speed made them unreliable
and easy targets. It wasn't until 1907 that the Aeronautical Division of the Signal Corps was established to
develop research and training in the area of airplanes.
Initially the development of aircraft for military purposes was slow to gain approval and attention. When the US
joined World War I in 1917, the Signal Corps tried urgently to assemble thousands of airplanes to work with
France against Germany, but by the time the war ended in 1918, only 740 planes had been built, and most of
those had been built in Europe, not the US. Recognizing that the Signal Corps was unable to handle the massive
task of building a strong military aviation fleet, the government dissolved the Signal Corps and created in its
place an Air Service with two components: one branch was civilian, with the primary responsibility of working with
manufacturers of airplanes, and the other a military organization to train potential pilots.
As its prototype, the US looked to Britain's Royal Air Force, which had demonstrated that aircraft could indeed be
used in military applications with success. However, while the RAF had already been created as a military
service separate from Britain's Army and Navy, the US was slower to make that distinction. The Air Service was
initially a branch of the Army. Its mission was to serve whatever aviation needs the Army had during wartime.
Supporters of a separate Air Force, which would have greater bombing capacity and independent control and
command (like that of the RAF), fought against Army factions which wanted to keep the Air Service strictly as a
support organization.
During the 1930s, more support developed for building a combat air force, initially under Army authority. But as
World War II began to appear on the European horizon, air combat was clearly to become much more significant
than it had been in World War I. Even before the US involvement in the new conflict, reports from Europe
stressed the importance of aircraft and their superior striking ability. The RAF was the leader of the Allied air
group and growing rapidly, and US military personnel began to expand efforts to grow their own air corps.
Under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur, the fledgling US air combat units moved into the Pacific
region to counter Japanese attacks against Pearl Harbor. The strength of the American air units eventually
overpowered the Japanese, giving pro-Air Force factions in the military the ammunition they needed to push for a
separate military branch after the War. The overall War Department opposed such a move, preferring to combine
all military operations together in a single unit run by the War Department, but the Navy in particular fought such
a grouping, resulting in the 1947 National Security Act, which kept the military branches separate and formally
recognized the Air Force.
The next phase of growth was stalled by lack of funds in post-War America, causing a competition for
prominence and appropriations with the Navy, which was also interested in developing an air combat unit. But as
the prosperous 1950s arrived, more funding allowed both branches to expand their aircraft numbers and bases.
While bombers were the airplane of the future in post-World War II America, the increasing Cold War tensions
with Russia led to the Air Force development of ballistic missiles. By 1960, the Air Force was the leader in
bombing and land-based missile capabilities, with the Navy handling submarine-based missiles for the complete
triad of land, air and sea battles.
The US involvement in Vietnam and Korea saw more development of high-tech aircraft. Following those wars,
the Air Force set as its goal the development of a combat-ready unit. When the Selective Service (draft) was
ended in 1973, the Air Force, and the other military branches, had to change recruitment tactics to attract an
all-volunteer force. Reserve forces were strengthened, and women were more actively recruited to keep
combat-readiness at necessary levels.
During the 1960s and early 1970s, the Air Force was an important personnel source for NASA. The space
agency needed highly trained pilots who were not only able to fly planes but able to endure a variety of physically
grueling missions in experimental air and spacecraft.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 brought another change to the focus of the Air Force. Its peacekeeping
status had been mostly a Cold War function, but the breakup of the Russian states and the dissipation of those
Cold War threats brought a new reality to the Air Force. Initially some areas were downsized, as nuclear forces
were reduced. Reducing both budget and numbers of troops, the Air Force in 1992 reorganized into two distinct
branches: the Air Combat Command and the Air Mobility Command. The first has a military and war focus, and
the other works to support troops and handle airlift missions of all kinds.
During the early 1990s, other parts of the world began to gain attention from military quarters. In 1991, events in
the Persian Gulf, specifically Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, brought a US response, including Air Force participation
that was deemed highly successful. In 1992, actions in Bosnia were also successful. The terrorist attacks of
September 2001 drew the Air Force into Afghanistan, along with the US ally, Britain's RAF. Moving from Cold
War preparedness into more active status is a direction that will likely continue for the foreseeable future.
The air force encompasses over 150 career paths for both enlisted and officer personnel. With bases around the
world and a wide variety of specialties, the demand for skills is far-ranging. For anyone who thinks the Air Force
is only for pilots, this may come as a surprise. While flight skills and related occupations are a core service of the
Air Force, it's by no means the only type of career available. An overview of the types of careers is provided
here, but there are many subgroups and specialties available as well. If you don't see your specific career
interest, but see a related category, contact an Air Force recruiting office. It's likely that your interests match a
career path in one area or another.
Enlisted
Enlisted personnel provide the support and handle much of the day-to-day operations of Air Force bases.
Soldiers during wartime, their roles are integral to the smooth functioning of the bases during times of peace.
Many enlisted careers start as apprenticeships, offering on-the-job training in highly specialized or technical
fields. Should enlisted personnel find a career in which they excel, they may have the option of entering officer's
training to develop a leadership role in that specialty.
Administrative
If administrative duties sound like those of an executive secretary, then you're only seeing part of the Air Force
picture. Certainly secretarial functions are part of this category, including the management of paperwork and
files. Administrative positions will also oversee many of the base's functions, including ordering and allocation of
supplies, keeping records for vehicle and aircraft logs and maintenance, management of personnel records and
schedules, preparing schedules for training and aircraft flights, accounting and budgeting, oversight of radio,
television and satellite communications, mail service, human resources, chaplain duties, even Air Force band
membership data. Personnel in these areas are responsible for keeping records at every level, noting every
detail of life and work on base.
Operations/Support
Those working in operations and support duties are critical to the ongoing success of every Air Force base, and
this category has a large number of career opportunities in a wide variety of functions. Included are the people
responsible for maintaining and repairing aircraft, vehicles and spacecraft (mechanics), installing and maintaining
communications cables and development of satellites, maintaining missiles and missile sites, and maintenance
and disposal of munitions.
People in operations and support also train and teach apprentices in the finer points of working with survival
equipment and techniques, handling of explosives and liquid fuels. Besides military applications, operations and
support personnel also train in the areas of installing and maintaining electrical, heating, ventilation, air
conditioning and refrigeration power systems and utilities. They also work on roads, pavement and construction
projects. Apprenticeships are also available for beginning work in biomedical equipment management,
aeromedical training (for medical personnel on board flights), and physical therapy training.
Additional career paths include:
l A pprenticeships in disaster preparedness
l H ealth services management
l P ublic affairs and relations
l M ental and dietary health practices
l M edical laboratory training
l D ental work
l F inancial management
Operations personnel on air bases also have the opportunity to apprentice in all areas of airport management,
including air traffic control, in-flight refueling, airborne battle management, and data and radar reading
capabilities, as an introduction to intelligence work.
Systems
The Air Force is highly reliant on technology to keep its missions running. Apprentices in the systems areas will
find themselves working on some of the most advanced systems in the world, everything from computers to
electronics to satellites to radar. Careers in this area include:
l S pecializing in aircraft systems, both engines and onboard computers
l W eather systems to study and predict weather trends
l A vionics sensors and guidance systems
l R adar and radio communications systems
l C omputer, imagery and telephone systems
l A ll aircraft, spacecraft and weapons-related systems
Officers
Enlisted personnel work under the management and direction of Air Force officers, who have advanced
education and training in specialized skills and management techniques. They develop base policies and
implement orders, overseeing the base and its personnel to make sure every aspect of base life is running as
smoothly and safely as possible. Officers would be comparable to management and executives in the private
sector.
Flight
Flight officers are pilots and navigators. That sounds simple enough, but there are a variety of pilots within the Air
Force, each with a specialty and focus. Pilots include:
l G eneralists, who handle routine air transportation duties
l A irlift pilots, who transport troops and material goods to other bases or combat zones
l B omber pilots, who handle missions involving the dropping of bombs
l F ighter pilots, who handle in-air combat
l H elicopter pilots
l E xperimental (or test) pilots, who have the risky assignment of flying new aircraft that may be hazardous
to check its performance
l T rainer pilots, who handle in-flight training of new pilots
l R econnaissance and intelligence pilots, who handle highly secretive information-gathering flights
l T anker pilots, who handle in-flight refueling
Navigators are flight officers who monitor the plane's bearings, plot courses, report deviations, and assist the
pilot in all aircraft functions. Together the pilot and navigator are responsible for the overall performance of the
aircraft and all related reports. They handle preflight checklists and report any problems to the relevant
personnel.
Working with NASA, flight officers may also train to become astronauts, working with the space program in its
ongoing exploration of space.
Technical
Technical officers oversee the operations of all technical aspects of base life.
Engineers may oversee the design, construction and ongoing maintenance and refurbishment of all base
buildings, roads, utilities, technical and computer systems and infrastructure.
Communications officers oversee the vast communications systems, from radio and television to satellites and
radar.
Scientists in a variety of disciplines, both technical and medical, conduct research to expand knowledge and
solve known problems.
Maintenance officers are responsible for the highly specialized aircraft maintenance and repair as well as
munitions and missile maintenance, including space-related craft and weaponry.
Weather officers oversee the weather prediction and study centers, an important role in an industry so
dependent on weather for successful missions.
Non-Technical
Non-technical officers oversee the operations of base operations not directly related to technical systems. These
officers are the managers of the enlisted administrative staff, and they manage all logistic matters on base.
These include:
l O rdering and allocation of goods and personnel
l O rganization of transportation and resources
l R ecruitment
l M ission support
l H uman resources development, implementation and ongoing management (such as benefits policies)
l In telligence officers, who oversee the highly sensitive intelligence matters
l F oreign policy, including foreign base operation and local liaisons
Air battle and management officers, who work with pilots and troops to plan and deliver air battle plans.
Specialty
Specialty officers are those whose specialized, non-technical education provides expertise in areas critical during
times of both war and peace. The largest part of this group is made up of healthcare providers, with medical
officers ranging from family physicians to specialists like pediatricians, neurologists, geneticists and a variety of
surgeons. Medical staff may be assigned to a base for general medical care, or they may be working in research
units to develop more extensive knowledge and possible advances in medical care. They may also be assigned
to combat units, able to assist with combat injuries and illnesses.
Mental health is a growing area in the Air Force, with psychologists, social workers and mental health advocates
becoming standard parts of base healthcare. Dental care is included in this area as well, with both general
dentists and specialists such as orthodontists covering a wide range of needs.
Non-medical specialties include combat officers, who strategize plans for combat missions and logistics officers,
who oversee acquisitions and personnel matters.
Financial officers oversee budgetary and accounting offices and contracting matters (in conjunction with the
logistics officer).
Chaplains oversee religious services and programs on base.
Public affairs officers act as a liaison between the Air Force and the civilian community, both domestically and
internationally.
The Judge Advocate officer is a legal function, offering lawyers an officer role while continuing to practice law on
behalf of the Air Force and its personnel.
Special Investigations officers handle internal Air Force investigations as a method of checks and balances.
The band officers are members of the renowned Air Force Band, and they are responsible for managing the
band's schedule of rehearsals and performances, the logistics involved in meeting their schedules, and
establishing policies and directions for the band.
The air force has bases all over the world. Where you will work will depend on what your specialty is, and to
some degree, on what your preference is. In the early part of your Air Force career, you will be assigned
wherever you are needed, with your preference playing little part in those choices. Long term Air Force
employees have more input and choice, but the final decision will rest with your commander.
What that means is that you may work anywhere from Alaska to Texas, or from Germany to Panama to Japan.
You may live in hot, humid climates, or frozen, frigid areas. You may work in remote areas far from major cities,
or you may be near bustling urban centers. The local landscape may be spectacularly beautiful, or it may be flat
and featureless. English may be the primary language, or you may be one of the few people speaking it. The
civilian population may welcome the American presence, or they may resent our intrusion. The bases may be
large and high-tech, or they may be older and smaller with a higher priority on keeping a minimum military
presence intact than in developing technological capabilities.
In other words, there are wide ranging opportunities for places to work within the Air Force. For some in the early
stages of a career, the likelihood is that you will experience a wide variety of settings, as the Air Force has a
strong record of moving people from base to base. Some people move frequently (even more than once per
year), while some stay on the same base over several years. Your skills and promotions will dictate your
destinations.
Within base assignments, you may enjoy the climate-controlled comfort of working in office buildings, research
labs, medical facilities, NASA complexes, or you may be exposed to the elements by working outside at air
fields. Pilots on combat missions may be sent to remote military locations with minimal amenities, and they may
be flying under all conditions - snow, rain and wind - not to mention facing enemy aircraft.
Working abroad and interacting with the local population can provide an interesting and stimulating cultural
exchange, but it can also be uncomfortable, depending on the politics of the time and place. In some
international areas, Air Force bases are welcomed as a sign of safety and prosperity (as military families bring
money into the local economy both through living expenses and tourism), but in others, they are not as welcome,
and local residents may be unhappy or hostile about the Air Force population in their midst.
Opportunities to work in interesting locales do exist within the Air Force, as long as you understand that patience,
hard work and seniority are necessary to achieve your personal preferences. In some cases, your highly
specialized skills may prevent you from working at bases you'd prefer, simply because those skills are not
required there. Being open to alternatives and not setting your heart on specific locations is the best approach to
planning your Air Force career.
I Am a Technical Officer in Engineering
"I come from a large family, not very well off financially, and I desperately wanted to be one of the first in my
family to go to college. I've always had an aptitude for technical things, and I excelled in science and computer
classes in high school. I wanted to become a mechanical engineer, but the costs of college were intimidating.
With student loans, I felt I'd be in debt forever, or be forced to make job choices based on what I'd earn rather
than on what I would do. But it was either seek out loans or not go, as far as I could tell, so I signed on the dotted
line and started my freshman year.
Not long after school started, I started dating a guy who was a member of the Air Force ROTC. I used to tease
him about his haircut! But as he explained the benefits of ROTC to me, I found it very interesting. He still had to
take out student loans, but not nearly as much as I did, and he was guaranteed a job with the Air Force right out
of college. He wanted to become a pilot and felt that the Air Force was his best opportunity.
I'd never thought about joining the military, but as I explored the possibility, it seemed more and more exciting
and realistic. As an engineer, there were a number of avenues I could travel with the Air Force, and not only
would I receive tuition assistance during undergraduate studies, I could potentially work on a master's degree
with assistance later. My dad was a veteran (Navy), and I knew he would be surprised but pleased with my
choice.
After talking to a female ROTC recruiter, who convinced me that the Air Force was a good career choice for a
female engineer, I took the qualifying written and physical tests. Fortunately, I've always been in good physical
health, and I'd been on the track team in high school, so the required ROTC physical training wasn't quite as
grueling for me as it was for some of the other cadets. I can't say I loved the early morning regime of ROTC (up
at 5 a.m. for drills before class), but the commitment was a small price.
Initially, I thought I'd serve my mandatory four years, then rejoin the private sector. When I graduated (with
honors), I'd hoped to get an assignment at a base somewhere warm and sunny. Imagine my shock when I was
assigned to Minot, North Dakota! Not exactly a beach assignment. To be honest, at first I was really upset about
it. But once I got there and got to work, I loved my job. The people were friendly, the work was exactly what I'd
hoped I'd be doing with my engineering degree, and I was able to enroll in a master's program in engineering in
Grand Forks, commuting on weekends to work on my degree.
I kept in touch with some of my engineering friends from college who'd gone on to work for private companies,
and I found that the work the Air Force gave me was much more advanced than they were getting. I was
developing and implementing plans for rebuilding part of the base while my friends were basically watching more
experienced engineers work. I loved the responsibility, even though it was stressful at times.
The boyfriend from college was long gone (I later heard he was not selected as a pilot, which must have been
disappointing for him), but in Minot I met the man who would become my husband. He was a bomber pilot,
running B52 flights across the country. Together we took advantage of the Air Force's liberal housing policy to
bank a lot of our earnings, and we took advantage of standby flights to visit those beaches that didn't exist in
Minot.
When my four years were up (he had more time committed than I did, since he's a pilot), I barely had to think
twice about continuing. I could go to work in the private sector and maybe make more money, but my skills are
highly respected here, and I'm enjoying challenges and projects that would take me years to be eligible for
outside the Air Force. We're still in Minot, although we've put in for a transfer. As much as I love my work, I'm still
not wild about winter."
I'm a Medical Officer
"I'm the first in my family to join the military. My parents were not excited about my choice; I grew up during the
Vietnam years, and my parents were opposed to that war, so when I decided to join the Air Force, I met with
some resistance. But as a high school kid who didn't have much to offer (or so I thought), the Air Force in the
1980s seemed like a good choice. I never did take the Cold War very seriously, and as soon as I graduated from
high school, I enlisted.
It was a shock. I thought I was in good shape, but boot camp taught me how very wrong I was. The intensive
drilling, the verbal onslaught, the physical and mental overloads almost did me in. But I discovered something
about myself - I have a stubborn streak a mile wide. I was not going to give up; I wasn't a quitter.
After basic training, I had dreams of becoming a pilot, but knew I'd have to complete college and officer's
training. While trying to figure out what to do, I was assigned a post as an aeromedical apprentice, working with
the base flight surgeon. I saw other recruits, big strong guys, turning green at some of the things we saw during
medical work, but it never bothered me. The surgeon noticed my ability to stay calm and focused, and he
suggested I consider pursuing a medical education. I'd never considered that I could do something like that, after
all, it's a daunting program to start. But again, I don't like to quit, once I've decided on something.
Working with the Air Force, I was able to enroll in an undergraduate pre-med program at a nearby university. It
was quite a haul, working and taking those courses. But my Air Force unit was very supportive, and I graduated
with honors before applying to medical school.
I thought about specializing, but I knew there was a shortage of good general practice physicians in the Air Force
(and I was going to owe them a few years for all this education and training), so I decided that would be my
career. When med school was behind me, the Air Force put me to work, and I haven't looked back since. I've
worked at four different bases, the first two assigned to me, and the second two by my request.
I married an Air Force navigator, and while I'm proud of her, I have to admit I worry that one day I'm going to be
performing emergency life-saving procedures on her. But I try not to focus on that, thinking of what a great job
she does and how much fun we have when we take off for the great unknown on Air Force planes for our
vacations.
It's likely that I'd earn more money if I worked outside the Air Force, but I've been with the military a long time
now, and I like the hierarchy. Besides, the civilian world has its own set of challenges for a doctor, managed care
and health insurance restrictions, for example. Being an officer as well as a doctor and having several years of
Air Force commitment under my belt, I earn a very comfortable living, especially with the many perks involved. I
plan to stay through my 20 years until retirement, before considering joining the civilian world."
Pursuing a career with the Air Force can result in a long and satisfying work life, for the right person. While the
military offers topnotch training and educational opportunities, as well as the potential to excel in your chosen
career field more quickly than in the private sector, it also requires different personality types and skill sets than
more traditional careers.
The person most likely to succeed in the military will be someone who is strongly motivated, both self-motivated
and motivated by external controls. Being able to react and respond on a moment's notice to do whatever job
needs to be done without becoming confused or distracted is a critical ability. Air Force personnel need to be
able to assess situations and be ready to step in, and they also need to be alert and prepared for instructions
from higher ranks. Thinking quickly, reacting calmly even in emergencies, and being able to implement orders
responsibly and efficiently are important qualities in any Air Force role.
Taking direction and orders is a key factor. The Air Force military hierarchy requires its personnel to accept and
act on orders, no questions asked. This is not the type of organization that will tolerate people questioning
authority or disregarding orders, even if someone believes they have a better way of solving a problem than their
superior officer. There are times when that's accepted in the private sector; in the Air Force, it's not likely to be
considered appropriate.
It's also important to be ready to take risks. Because many personnel may be involved in military actions,
including administrators, leaders, medical personnel and troops, you must be able to draw on personal reserves
of courage and stamina while facing difficult action scenarios.
As your Air Force career progresses, you will receive promotions that will require you not only to take orders, but
give them. It may be a case of delegating an order from a higher rank, or developing orders on your own to
deliver to those working under you. In either case, you will need the ability to state clearly what needs to be done
and follow through to make sure the orders are followed. This involves a willingness to take responsibility. If they
are your orders and they aren't understood and obeyed, you must be willing not only to reprimand others, but at
least partially blame yourself. Leadership qualities are a strong predictor of success. These include
demonstrating respect up and down the chain of command and inspiring respect and motivation from those who