Hello all,
OK..please dont flame me

I was really into joining the AirForce SF. But lateley i've been researchign it more and more and it seems that everyone who enlists gets deployed. Crap, i know combat jobs in the army that dont get deployed as much as you guys, but it seems every SF member i speak with has been deployed...and more than once. I want to serve this country, i dont mind being deployed..but i have some questions:

1) what are my chances of being deployed.
2) if deployed what kind of work will i be doing.
3) will i be outside the wire?
4) How many SF have lost there lives in iraq/afghanistan
5) If deployed, what are the chances of finding myself in a real combat situation (firefights, IEDs, etc)
My fear is not combat per se..it's being in it wihtout the proper training. I'd feel much more at ease being in combat if i was, say a marine.. rather than an airmen. Is the training sufficient for the work?

Thank you so much for all answers

who have you been speaking to in the Army that is in a "combat job" that dosnt deploy for a year at a time? From all the active duty SF folks I associate with its usually a 6 on 6 off schedule with trng,etc...usually,but everything is subject to change and varies among units,commands. If you've searched through this SF forum you would find the rest of your answers....bottom line is you will deploy but dont expect it to be the wild west with danger at every curve. And word to the wise about the comment on being in combat as a Marine in comparison to a low life AIRMEN. You will receive all the training that will keep you and your buddies alive if called upon. Dont always associate all Marines as being battle hardened and elite...When an IED hits you, it dosnt care what uniform your wearing....

I'm not SF but I like to keep my ear to the ground on issues

Didnt say the Airmen were lowlifes at all. I respect anyone who enlists.. it's just that the marines have a tradition of combat..thats all i was implying

so, 6 on 6 off, crap that means i'll be serving tours left and right.. not to mention when we go to war with korea and what not.. just seems like a life of deployments.

Am i getting the right vibe here? 6 on 6 off.. sheesh, is there a limit on how many tours you do

Please don't join Security Forces.

As a matter of fact, don't join the AF. A lot of the "soft" career fields (like Chaplain Assistants and such) deploy as much as cops do.

Your potential fellow airmen don't deserve to have you serving alongside them


Stay a civilian or join the Marines where they'll kick your a$$ into shape.

quote:

Originally posted by StangBangin:
.... i know combat jobs in the army that dont get deployed as much as you guys....

Okay, I worked as a contractor, supporting the aviation mission of the 101st Airborne Division--almost 14 years I spent with the troops at Ft. Campbell, including a year in Iraq.

When the Division deploys, the entire division packs off, minus those folks who are undeployable for medical or other reasons--those folks, along with a fairly small number of mission-capable folks, are in a Rear Detachment to provide a liaison between the units that are deployed and the support elements that are also left behind. First and second times the Division deployed, it was for 12 months. Most recent deployment was for 15 months. I'm not sure what the next one will entail, but I'm pretty certain that it will be at least 12 months.

I agree with FrankJamison. You'd be a danger to yourself and those around you. Do yourself and the military services a favor--keep your rainbow duds.

look, i dont have time for nonsense. FrankJ, feel free ta stay quiet brotha'

I just want to know if theres a limit to the number of yours you can serve.. i have no problem with 6 months on/off..unless this war escalates to more nations and drags on for another 10 years. being at home for only 5 years in a decade can be kinda tough on marriages..ya know?

Screw me for trying to find info before i enlist..sheesh
must not be too happy with your job huh

quote:

1) what are my chances of being deployed.

Good. Frequency is another matter. If you go to a nuke missile base you'll "deploy" to missile field 3.5 days (at least) out of every 9. If you go to a non nuke base you could deploy 6 on 6 off...or not at all. Frankly, it depends. But in reality, in a 6 year enlistment unless you go to a real high OPSTEMPO unit, probably not more than 3 times.

quote:

2) if deployed what kind of work will i be doing.

Probably the same exact thing you do at home station. Nothing cosmic about SF. Some outside the wire work but very few folks do it.

quote:

3) will i be outside the wire?

CONUS or OCONUS? I'm guessing OCONUS. Highly unlikely.

quote:

4) How many SF have lost there lives in iraq/afghanistan

For a lot of reasons, that's a real annoying question and indicates that perhaps the military maybe isn't for you. However, if you want that information Google it or read this board...its here.

quote:

5) If deployed, what are the chances of finding myself in a real combat situation (firefights, IEDs, etc)

Slim. But again, the fact that you would ask this question indicates that the military probably isn't for you.

quote:

My fear is not combat per se..it's being in it wihtout the proper training. I'd feel much more at ease being in combat if i was, say a marine.. rather than an airmen. Is the training sufficient for the work?

Now this is perhaps the most irritating thing you've said/asked. Why would you think the Air Force would put you somewhere untrained? Is the training sufficient for the work...have you seen a 60 Minutes story on the Air Force saying we weren't training our people? I'm guessing if we weren't they'd be there in a New York minute.

The military isn't a job, its a profession. There is a difference between the two. Part of the military profession is the concept of unlimited liability...which is a real fancy way of saying you may be asked to give your life as part of doing your duty.

From your questions, it seems you want a job. Best of luck finding one.

quote:

Originally posted by StangBangin:
being at home for only 5 years in a decade can be kinda tough on marriages..ya know?

You must have a rock solid marriage man, both of you have to make it work other wise you'll become a statistic. Life in itself it tough on marriages, you can see your spouse daily for 10 years and slowly become stagnant and than "poof" someone is asking for a divorce. Also the deployment cycle dosnt last for your entire 20+ years in the AF. Folks do other things like special duties:recruiter,instructor,postal,first sgt,etc. Your first enlistment might be rough but than again it could be a breeze. You never know till you jump feet first into it. Good luck to ya!

quote:

Originally posted by StangBangin:

I was really into joining the AirForce SF. But lateley i've been researchign it more and more and it seems that everyone who enlists gets deployed. Crap, i know combat jobs in the army that dont get deployed as much as you guys, but it seems every SF member i speak with has been deployed...and more than once. I want to serve this country, i dont mind being deployed..but i have some questions:

1) what are my chances of being deployed.
2) if deployed what kind of work will i be doing.
3) will i be outside the wire?
4) How many SF have lost there lives in iraq/afghanistan
5) If deployed, what are the chances of finding myself in a real combat situation (firefights, IEDs, etc)
My fear is not combat per se..it's being in it wihtout the proper training. I'd feel much more at ease being in combat if i was, say a marine.. rather than an airmen. Is the training sufficient for the work?

Thank you so much for all answers

Chances for SF getting deployed: Absolute. Its just a fact of life. How often you deploy is dependent on your home squadons size and mission requirements.
Work: Depends on your AO and mission.
OTW: Again, all depends on your mission. Most dont, but some of us do.
Fallen Brothers and Sisters: check the boards
Combat: If your mission requires you to man the gates or provide LE duties in the AO, not likely. If it is an OTW mission, it all depends on location. Some areas WILL provide combat. Trust me.

Everything is mission specific. Training is as well. If your tasking is OTW patrolls, I guarantee that you will be trained well. If its manning gates or in the search pit, well, its not a hard job, but I'm sure you'll get trained for it. Something to remember: back at home station, we are Cops. Deployed: USAF ground-pounders.
There are AFSC's that dont deploy as often and stay in the rear with the gear. If that seems more appealing to you, its fine, you are still serving your country and the men and women in the field.

I've been in for about 5 yrs (just under) im going to korea for a yr and when i get back it will be six yrs in the AF without going to the desert i was in the missile field. On the flip side i know some buddys that have been in 6 and spent about 4 tours in iraq you can volunteer for 365's or depending on your ops tempo do a 6 month rotation generally its a 18 month rotation (it may have changed) 6 gone 6 off 6 training. I have helped instruct at a RTC and i can assure you the training is good.

alright awesome.

I am looking for a profession.. it's just that i know i wont spend 15 years doing 12-16 hour shifts. I'll give it my all for the 6 years i do it then i'll probably be going into law enforcement.

I dont mind combat..infact i kind of want to get some. I just wanted to be clear on what the duties of this profession were.

alright, so from what i saw, not many casualties at all.. And i'll be trained well for what i have to do.. and pretty much a marriage will be a stastic in this job..ouch

alright, keeep all good advice coming, i'm getting a lot from this.
thx

quote:

Originally posted by StangBangin:

I dont mind combat..infact i kind of want to get some. thx

Be careful what you wish for...

quote:

Originally posted by StangBangin:
I dont mind combat..infact i kind of want to get some. thx

I don't understand folks like you.....

You wanna kill people, see combat, kicka$$ and do all sorts of highspeed stuff, but you want to join the AF as a SF troop....

Dude, two words for you, ARMY and MARINE CORPS, plently of killing, combat and a$$ kicking going on over there....

I didnt mean any offense by the airmen thing. I have a high level of respect for the AirForce.
It's just that when i talk to SF members on youtube, and see SF training, the guys are sitting around, and they are like "SEE, THIS is what SF does" or there in training at lakland and they are like "yup..this..is SF tech school...*yawn*" and all sorts of de motivating stuff like that. My impression i recieved was from all these videos and people i spoke with.. i didnt just pop in here to talk smack on SF.

I'm hearing from you guys the training is good, and there is even an RTC trainer here who told me it was good too.. so i'll take those words over some of the negative stuff i've heard and seen.

I'm not a gun ho' i wanna kill people type.. but what iw as trying to get at was that i know what the jobs about.. I'm not trying to escape deployment, i was just trying to see how you guys felt about your jobs..
and my question now is:

How many does of rest do you get in a week at home? for example law enforcement in the civi. world is usually like 4 days on 4 days off.. how many days 'off' do you get a week for your time in SF?

also, is there any real law enforcement going on? like patrolling in a vehicle/etc?

Are people in this career field negative and always complaining and demotivated or is it a nice pumped up motivated atmosphere

..ok..i had to ask.. if im standing at a damn gate for 12 hours..can i carry an ipod? Lol

also, when your in Iraq..is there anything as a day off? or a day or so for rest?

quote:

Originally posted by StangBangin:
..ok..i had to ask.. if im standing at a damn gate for 12 hours..can i carry an ipod? Lol

Just when I thought I have heard it all...

quote:

It's just that when i talk to SF members on youtube, and see SF training, the guys are sitting around, and they are like "SEE, THIS is what SF does" or there in training at lakland and they are like "yup..this..is SF tech school...*yawn*" and all sorts of de motivating stuff like that.

Yep. Troops in tech school. Good place to get info. What they need to be doing is paying attention to information that might save their life one day, not jerking off with a camera. If the information wasn't important it would be taught. Problem is the little dumb a$$es don't know that yet...problem is the day the need the info they won't have it and it may cost them their, or someone else's life.

quote:

I'm hearing from you guys the training is good, and there is even an RTC trainer here who told me it was good too.. so i'll take those words over some of the negative stuff i've heard and seen.

All training is what YOU make of it. You never know when YOU will need a piece of information and YOU will never know when that information will save YOUR life.

quote:

also, is there any real law enforcement going on? like patrolling in a vehicle/etc?

What is "real law enforcement?" Yes we patrol in vehicles...although I maintain most SF don't actually know how to do it.

quote:

Are people in this career field negative and always complaining and demotivated or is it a nice pumped up motivated atmosphere

It depends. Funny thing is, those who complain generally cant not articulate what it is they're complaining about.

quote:

..ok..i had to ask.. if im standing at a damn gate for 12 hours..can i carry an ipod?

See comment above about not knowing how to patrol. Also this would be a good way to get killed. How would you expect to remain vigilant (as an SF or civilian cop) if you have your head plugged into an IPOD?

quote:

also, when your in Iraq..is there anything as a day off? or a day or so for rest?

Sure, why not. Everyone calls a time out and goes to their respective corners.

alright, good info. Thanks

The only thing thats bothering me is it seems that SF works harder than most.. nothing wrong with that.. but they should be compensated as such.
Seems the SF get treated like crap, Same pay, long rediculous shifts, no time for family..and all i'd get to show for it is a damn blue hat and a motto.
not to mention most ppl from what i'm reading dont bother re enlisting.. They dont even offer bonuses for the initial enlistment for this job.
How would i even go to school working 12-16 hour shifts. Sheesh, the AF lists SF under ''general jobs" thats not cool. I'm also being told that sometimes they toss the guys whose slots for other positions filled up and stuff into SF.. Thats not cool.
You guys work hard and take pride in your work..shouldnt be treated like that.

Lots to think about. I could be getting another career in the AF with the same pay,less hours, working with computers and AC for the same wage? the pay by month doesnt include hours, am i correct? its simply on your pay grade

This message has been edited. Last edited by: StangBangin,

quote:

Originally posted by StangBangin:
Sheesh, the AF lists SF under ''general jobs" thats not cool.

A careless uninformed assertion. 80% or greater of Air Force enlisted classifications (jobs) are listed as General. General refers to the minimum aptitude area eligibility requirement to qualify to enter into training for the job.

The ASVAB test when enlisting into the Air Force produces the Air Force Qualification Score (test result to have eligibility to enlist in the Air Force) and four aptitude area scores (Mechanical, Administrative, General, Electrical). General is the most frequent screening test score as most enlisted classifications have the most core skill tasks involving general skills and knowledge.

Regarding pay, unless conscripted (drafted) individuals have the choice of service to enlist. However, service (military department) is an administrative classification of the color of uniform the combatant wears during times of peace. Both military pay and military rank exist as there is an expectation of serving a military obligation is having people who have the fortitude to perform the military duties they are trained to do and having the readiness to be employed to perform military missions. You can either be contributing to the problem or you can do your military duties you are paid to do and if you believe military rank is simply a pay grade, don’t bother becoming an NCO.

Ah Okay. Thanks for clearing that up.


STill, i find it unfair they dont offer SF a bonus for enlistment.

i really wanted a combat related position but i may just end up doing it in the Army, or doing an administrative position in the air force. right now, i'm leaning towards the airforce though.

I was in 5 years (4 enlisted, 1 stop loss) and how many times have I been deployed? ZERO. Was I deployable? Very much so. I never even had a deployment scare. They mostly took volunteers first, but that was back in 1998.