How’d you like your job? Son got booked for 2A636, shipping late July. Was not his first choice of job, but his priority is getting to Misawa. How was your experience? I’ve read mixed reviews.

It will be all what he makes of it.  I was Security Forces for 20 years and I learned real quick how I could make a day a good one or a bad one, everything else depended on the circumstances and most shit was out of my control.

Anyway you put it he’s in aircraft maintenance. That can suck or not suck too much.  I never saw too many maintainers who were shiny, happy people.  Most were miserable and dirty a lot of the time.  But with the fleet we have and whats expected of those guys, it’s understandable.  

Just tell your boy to stay positive, professional and relevant.  Stay away from the knuckleheads, smokers and jokers as well as the disgruntled.  Don’t be a suck ass and always do the right thing even when the easy way looks so good.  He does that as well as keeping his nose clean and he’ll do fine.

I'm late to the party, but I'll echo what DefensorFortis had to say about aircraft maintenance troops on the flight line (I was also Security Forces).  I happen to know a few that loved it to death and sort of "embraced the suck" when it was especially bad on the ramp.

I don't know if Electrical and Environmental Specialists are ramp rats or work back shop, but tell your son to keep his hair cut and to maintain a good set of boots and uniforms.  AMXS types were notorious (at least at my base) for being dirty and scuffed up all the time.  Not much he can do about dirty hands, but everything else is within his control.

Also, if he follows the TOs to the latter he won't have to worry about anything coming back on him.  A lot of the fighter maintenance guys I know considered QA the enemy, which made me question their integrity (especially when the aircrew's lives hung in the balance).

Tell him to keep his alcohol consumption in check (especially if underage) and not to get in trouble with debt or women.  Otherwise, tell him to have fun and enjoy as much as he can but make sure he gets something back from the Air Force.  Tuition assistance towards a degree, training and certifications, and anything else he can get his hands on.  The Air Force is going to get their money's worth out of him, just make sure he gets some back in return.