My bf is currently in pilot training for the AF. We met in college and I'm still finishing my degree. I plan to work in my field after graduation and can't afford not to with all of my student loans. He plans on proposing in the next few months and I can't imagine not being with him. My question is how are the bases which new pilots are stationed at chosen. He won't be done with pilot training until several months after I graduate and I want to find a job before then if possible but he won't know where he will be. Can he choice a "top three" bases he would like to be at so I can apply for jobs near them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
okay im not an expert on the air force-but there is no way we can give you a "top three" based on the information you provided. What kind of air craft is he training to fly? Where pilots are stationed is based on the type of aircraft they fly ( i.e B1 bombers are based at only one or two CONUS and one or two OCONUS locations) and the needs of the air force-i.e. where are pilots for that type of aircraft needed and where are junior officers needed. It is also possible he can get unaccompanied remote orders to someplace like Diego Garcia or Iceland where you could not accompany him. Even if he fills out a "dream sheet" with his top three choices of duty station there is no gaurntee he will get any of them-you should probably just look for a job and then adjust fire as his carreer dictates later.
you have to decide if he gets a base not near you if you will follow him and put your career on the back burner for a while or take a step down in the ladder (dnt know what your career path is)
he can fill out a dream sheet, and they do look at it, but if they need you in a base that you havent put down your going there, because it depends on rank, time in service and your job as to where claims you its not just your job.
also as mentioned he could get a remote which means your not able to go, more time for you in your career but less time together, some people volunteer for remotes for this reason.
so I would wait to get proposed to then find out where hes going, but in the mean time sit down and discuss how your career is going to fit (ie me my career is on hold this tour, and i will work lower down the ladder until my husband retires then i can plant my feet somewhere and get going)
What is your course of study? Is it something that is marketable anywhere such as teaching, medical, etc? Or is it something you could not find everywhere? That can make a big difference in how things go for you.
It can be difficult to progress in your career as you may want due to moves with the military. But, it can be done. The wife of one of the pilot's my husband worked with in FL worked in the DA's office and made more than he did as an officer. LOL (Navy though, not AF)
Start doing some research on different areas of the country and job prospects. Pick a few obscure bases to see what would be available there if, by chance, he got orders to one of them.
