How is everyone today?
Good here, just a quick question. I've been looking into aerial gunner since i washed out of CCT but alas the AF decided to put me into CE Readiness. So now that i found out that you could retrain into an aircrew job at your halfway point of your enlistment, I'm getting really excited about aerial gunner. Now onto the question heh...There are 10 slots open for 2008. My question is is that high or low? What are the chances of getting one of the slots?
And also, any info on gunners or any of you guys wanna chime in with your 2 cents about anything feel free.
Thanks again

quote:

Originally posted by SrA_Ziggy:
How is everyone today?
Good here, just a quick question. I've been looking into aerial gunner since i washed out of CCT but alas the AF decided to put me into CE Readiness. So now that i found out that you could retrain into an aircrew job at your halfway point of your enlistment, I'm getting really excited about aerial gunner. Now onto the question heh...There are 10 slots open for 2008. My question is is that high or low? What are the chances of getting one of the slots?
And also, any info on gunners or any of you guys wanna chime in with your 2 cents about anything feel free.
Thanks again

That is a pretty good amount of slots for that job. Last year the number I think was in the single digits...Anyway, provided you meet the retraining criteria and pass your flight physical, the chances are good for you. But be prepared to go work on AC-130s, that is where most of the students end up now...I am also in the process of trying to retrain in 1A7 or 1A4, but I am not a FTA, I am going through the NCORP. So I have more waiting to do for slots. But don't waste your time in requesting retraining, do it as soon as you can. The process does not happen over night like one may think, you have to be patient, especially when dealing with getting your flight physical results back and AFPC..I should know, I have been trying to retrain since last Jan...Hope this helps and good luck!

Thanks for the response. Yess I am a FTA so chances are a little better, or so I've heard. I sadly have to wait till May 25th to apply for it. That is when i hit my 3 yr mark, and our career advisor here said i have to wait till that day to apply for it

If you have to wait until May 25th at least go get your flight physical completed. Sometimes it can take up 3 months to get it handed back to you. If you have that done, then you'll be able to get your completed package turned back in a lot faster.

I thought that bieng an Aerial Gunner was one of the best jobs in the AF. Unfortunatly you'll miss out on the most excitng airfame to be on, the MH-53J/M, but it is still a kick *** job to have. Go for 60's first, then the Gunship. I love the Gunship as well, but nothing beats terrian flying in a helicopter. If you get the job, don't be a chode, wear the uniform properly, walk tall, and shine those boots, lots of guys will want to be where you are. Best wishes!

SSTBCG!

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

quote:

Originally posted by SrA_Ziggy:
.. I've been looking into aerial gunner since i washed out of CCT but alas the AF decided to put me into CE Readiness. So now that i found out that you could retrain into an aircrew job at your halfway point of your enlistment, ... What are the chances of getting one of the slots?
Thanks again

I would focus on being the best CE Readiness person in the Air Force. Retraining options have lots of ifs attached beginning with the needs of the Air Force and ending with the recommendation given by your immediate unit commander at the time you submit your retraining application.

It also depends if you get awarded a AFSC to actually be assigned to do a job for he Air Force by the time you have completed half of your enlistment obligation. If you failed out of CTT half way through you could already be close to half way through your enlistment and never gave the Air Force a single day of doing any actual work the AF expected you to be doing by then.

quote:

Originally posted by CE2FE:
If you have to wait until May 25th at least go get your flight physical completed. Sometimes it can take up 3 months to get it handed back to you. If you have that done, then you'll be able to get your completed package turned back in a lot faster.

I didn't think you just go and get a flight physical without having the letter from AFPC saying you are trying to retrain into a flying job and take it to the clinic, but I could be wrong.

You know you may be right. Public health needs to know what specifically has to be added to the 422 for the particular jobs you are applying for. However you can still get on the waiting list. I dont know if every base is the same, but at Andrews the list for flight physicals was about a 2-3 month wait.

i was gonna post saying you would need that letter from AFPC but someone beat me to it. I'm a good people person so I'm going to see if I can sway the people over there and get in on the ball. Because a buddy in my shop is trying to retrain into aerial gunner also.

quote:

Originally posted by CE2FE:
You know you may be right. Public health needs to know what specifically has to be added to the 422 for the particular jobs you are applying for. However you can still get on the waiting list. I dont know if every base is the same, but at Andrews the list for flight physicals was about a 2-3 month wait.

Yeah, Hurlburt needed my letter last year. But the wait to get one scheduled for me was only 2 weeks...Like you said, depends on your base.

For me no letter needed told them what AFSC I was wanting to go into. Went in on a monday and had a class III on that Friday. It just depends on how your base is. Never hurts to ask/try if its really what you want. Ziggy I have a really good contact Number outside of AFPC if you want more info on EFC positions and the guy is a former gunner. Its a DSN number so I don't know about putting it up on this forum. If anyone wants it PM me.

Yeah it took me almost 4 months to get my flight physical back... turns out it sat on some jack *** officer's desk for like half that time waiting on a freaking signature... But anywho, it was worth evry second that I have waited... I am almost ready to start flying... 3 weeks of academics left then I get my Fam Flight....

quote:

Originally posted by iwannabeaerialgunner:
Yeah it took me almost 4 months to get my flight physical back... turns out it sat on some jack *** officer's desk for like half that time waiting on a freaking signature... But anywho, it was worth evry second that I have waited... I am almost ready to start flying... 3 weeks of academics left then I get my Fam Flight....

Rub it in....J/K!!! Anyway, get ready to hear my annoying voice on the radio whenever you fly...Your situation sounded like my waiver situation. Clinic turned it in last Oct, just got my 1042 and 422 2 weeks ago with signatures, now just waiting for slots...

Yep using my "one and only CAREERs " slot to try and get gunner. It's gonna be the only one on the list heh. fingers gonna be crossed for like the next year. And im in pretty good with the MDG so i got my Class III scheduled a month early

Ha lucky dog.... good luck... What you wanting to do? Be on a helo???

quote:

Originally posted by iwannabeaerialgunner:
Yeah it took me almost 4 months to get my flight physical back... turns out it sat on some jack *** officer's desk for like half that time waiting on a freaking signature... But anywho, it was worth evry second that I have waited... I am almost ready to start flying... 3 weeks of academics left then I get my Fam Flight....

So where are you getting stationed?

quote:

Originally posted by iwannabeaerialgunner:
Ha lucky dog.... good luck... What you wanting to do? Be on a helo???

If everything went according to how i wanted, then yes i would definately want to be on a helo. buddy in my shop wants to be on a 130 "cuz its safer" heh

I am @ Hurlburt Field.....

quote:

Originally posted by SrA_Ziggy:

quote:

Originally posted by iwannabeaerialgunner:
Ha lucky dog.... good luck... What you wanting to do? Be on a helo???

If everything went according to how i wanted, then yes i would definately want to be on a helo. buddy in my shop wants to be on a 130 "cuz its safer" heh

Safer huh??? Well I dunno about you but to me a slow moving tin can with wings, doing circles over my head seems like it would be an awfully easy target for AAA and SAM sites.... Ha....

Well got my retrain package submitted. Just waiting on the commanders "recomendation". Said I'll have it by the end of the day. There is a board in 2 weeks so hopefully it gets there in time and i can get one of the slots left. Flight physical took me a little over a month to get done and back ready to submit