Hello gang!  I served 7 years in the Army and am a little familiar with the recruiting process.  However, I am seeking some help from all of you.  

My son is looking into the Air Force, he just took the ASVAB, afqt score 71, mechanical 78.  His next step is MEPPS, in a couple of weeks.  If that is a go, then he will pick his jobs.

1.  Recruitor says he needs to pick 10 jobs to have a better chance at getting something.  I don’t want him to pick 10, because I already know he will probably get his 10th pick.
Im thinking maybe he should pick 3 or 4 and if they can’t put him into something he really wants then they don’t need him.  What say the hive?

2.  He is getting ready to turn 18.  He has been working at a small garage and has learned quite a bit of mechanical work.  So, he wants to go into the mechanical field, aircraft.  Or,  maybe heavy equipment operator.

Any recommendations on mechanical jobs that have a high demand in the civilian world?

I was Infantry in the Army.  Although I enjoyed it, I want him to take a path in the Air Force that will lead him and pay well on the outside.

Thank all of you, God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Do you know what his score qualifies him to do?

If not I would get whatever manual the USAF has all that listed in and get smart. In the Navy it was The Enlisted Transfer Manual.

Then I would find out what the manning level is for what he wants to do. The Navy pumps out that data twice a year I think so I imagine the other services do too. I have heard it's in the back of Airman magazine. If the job he wants is undermanned I would call the recruiters bluff, tell him your son wants X or he's going to another service. It's your sons life and you really don't want him in an occupation he hates for 4 years.

Perhaps a Crew Chief?

Security Forces with guaranteed duty at Minot or he walks.

Pick 1 or 2 and wait on those.  DON'T go open anything.  We are talking about a potential lifetime career choice, choose wisely.

I went in with one job. Didn't budge. Took 11 months before all of a sudden a job popped up at the last minute.. of course after I told the recruiter I was only staying in the DEP for 12 months.

Pick one job. Stick to it. Avoid aircraft maintenance, unless he wants 12 hour days. Unless he goes F35 then its great!

Thanks for everyone’s advice so far.

Anybody have anything else to add.  I would really appreciate it.

Sorry, double tap!

Did the kid think about a career path yet?

Flying crew chief on a heavy is one of the greatest young man’s jobs there is.  

But yeah, don’t sign up for ten jobs or anything with “open” on the front of it.

If it were my kid, I'd suggest he gets something that allows him to easily get his A&P when he gets out. There is a crying shortage for aircraft mechanics.  They are doing very well in my AO.

The army has aviation maintenance jobs.

When my son turned 18 I took him to the USAF recruiting office and told them he was going into jet engine maintenance. He scored well, went to MEPs, they tried the dance around, he was prepared. Jet engines or my dad can be here in an hour to take me home. He got what he wanted. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant two years ago at 38. Four years in S. Carolina, four years in Italy, Four years in Hawaii, the rest was between Germany, Japan, Middle East, and New Mexico. Air Force enlisted live like senior NCOs in the Army. He was able to finish his BA and also get an MA while on AD. Every post we visited (Texas, S, Carolina, Hawaii, Italy) was clean, safe, well maintained, and the airmen disciplined and polite. As a retired SFC I knew what I was seeing. I know the difference. An Army post is like a low end trailer park compared to an Air Force base.

I “may” know your kid.

Thanks everyone!  He goes to the MEPS station this week.  Hopefully, all medical checks out and then he can pick his job.  He is wanting to be a heavy machine operator, so we will see.

Awesome. My son does engine maintenance on f-15’s. He loves it. His duty station is in the UK, but he is TDY’d to the Middle East for the next 6 months or so. He works 12 hours a day, but he says he’d rather be at work because there’s nothing else to do.

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I wanted an Option 40 contract. MEPS told me there were no slots available. I told them ok, send me back home then. They had me wait in the lobby and “found” a slot a couple of hours later.  Like it had fallen under some fucking desk or something.

Tell your son to stick to his guns.

Definitely sticking to his guns!  Thanks!

As I mentioned earlier my son is looking at the Pavements and Consruction job.

Anyone else work in the civil engineering field in the Air Force?  

What was your job?  Did you enjoy it?  Do you do that type of work after the Air Force?

While you were in the CE field, did you have opportunities to cross train in other jobs?

Well gang!  He ended up choosing water and fuel systems maintenance.  He leaves for basic in April.  He is excited and hopefully he has a good tour.

Anyone else have or had this job in the Air Force?  Did you like it?