This thread is going to be about the story of me going from a 3E3 (currently, as I write this) to a 1A7. For those of you who are considering 1A7, this thread may be for you. The next chapter of my life begins soon. I start EAUC at the end of the month (October 07).



Well, first off... This time last year I wouldve told you that Im getting the hell out of the Air Force and going back to my "pre-AF" days of being an EMT-Fire Fighter. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever have guessed that Id be where I am today and where Im about to go tomorrow.

At the end of November last year, I went to a first term airman's meeting (dont remember the name) where you listen to a few people talk about the options that you have before you get out. I sat in there thinking, 'Why the hell do I have to be here? I already know what I want to do.' But after the three hour pow-wow, I realized that maybe, just maybe, the Air Force wasnt so bad after all. (Ive never really had any negative thoughts about the AF. I just wanted something new.)

So the next day I put in my application for retraining. I put in for Gunner, Loadmaster, FE, Boomer, and lastly, Fire Fighter. I was accepted for all them except FE, because they had no openings at that time. I found out then, that I had to get a flight physical and a whole bunch of other paper work done.

I had a two month window to get all of this done. I got everything done except my Exception to Policy letter. I figured since it was optional, I didnt have to do it. I deployed to Nicaragua at the end of January and I waited for a month. I didnt hear anything from AFPC. I called them up and asked them what was going on. They told me that I NEEDED an ETP letter to try to get into Gunner or Boomer. So within an hour, I typed one up and faxed it in. Then the waiting game began.

About a month later, AFPC told me that all of the air crew positions had been closed (for whatever reason). They said that more than likely, Id get fire fighter. After hearing that, I figured it was better than nothing. I started getting my mindset into becoming a fire fighter. It kind of sucked though seeing the Army's 60s flying around everyday thinking that I may never get to be in one for my job.

A couple months later and I hadnt heard anything. I started losing hope. Trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do when I got out was not too fun. Then in the beginning of May, I got a phone call. It was AFPC. They told me that Ive been excepted into 1A7 Aerial Gunner. I remember EXACTLY where I was when I got that call. As a matter of fact, whenever they told me that, I told them to repeat what they just said since I didnt believe what I was hearing.

I got back to Nellis and signed my RIP. After that, I waited all the way up until just a few days ago to find out that my orders are ready for pickup. Currently, Im in good ol' Fort McCoy. Aint nothing like some Cheese Curds and Brautworst here in Wisconsin (my home state). The Rescue Squadron at Nellis lended me a few things to study before I start Tech School. I also reenlisted in front of one of their HH60 Pavehawks during August.



This is just the beginning of what will be my new adventure in becoming a 1A7, Aerial Gunner. Im going to do my best to continue to update (as often as I can) this message board for those of you who are waiting to get into Aerial Gunner or those of you who are still questioning it.

If anyone has any questions, just post it here.

Wow, you're from Wisconsin?! So am I, and trying to retrain into 1A7 as well (contrary to my screen name 1A4 was the 2nd choice), and have trying to for 22+ months now. My application is currently awaiting approval/disapproval under the NCORP. I just missed the September board by one day, due to them needing an ETP for me as well. My AFSC is balanced this year (3C171), so they needed one to release me. I am currently on leave in cheeseland as we speak and hopefully when I get back to Florida I will no whether or not I am approved. I, contrary to what most 1A7 people want, hope to end up on ACs, since I am already @ Hurlburt, and love those planes. IF (and that is a big IF) I get approved, I will hit you up with questions once school starts, as of right now, I already know what the job entails and have talked to a bunch of gunners on base. Good luck with everything, and can't wait to see how your journey goes.

I am really interested in reading everything you put in this thread since I am retraining to 1A7 next March. I wish you the best of luck for your new adventure that you are about to undertake.

By the way, 1A4_Wannabe - I want to get AC-130s as well. I like the aircraft but I really want to be stationed at Hurlburt. I have also noticed that most people helos as well.

Quick question for you 1A4_Wannabe... Have you heard what the "wash out" rate is for this job? A Navy Chief (E7) has told me that its like a 75% wash out rate. Then Ive also heard that its only like 10%. I dont know what it is. Im not too worried about it though since I do NOT want to come back into 3E3. Im definitely motivated to do whatever it takes to pass!

Anyway I can get my hands on that study material b4 I go to EAUC and BAG in February? And I on your other post I know what your talking about NOT coming back to your current AFSC I cant take mine anymore and failure in this career is not an option!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by NellisSSgt:
Quick question for you 1A4_Wannabe... Have you heard what the "wash out" rate is for this job? A Navy Chief (E7) has told me that its like a 75% wash out rate. Then Ive also heard that its only like 10%. I dont know what it is. Im not too worried about it though since I do NOT want to come back into 3E3. Im definitely motivated to do whatever it takes to pass!

I have never actually asked what the washout rate is. I don't think that it is that high though, at least I have never heard of it being one those hight washout rate AFSCs. I should ask someone when I get back to Hurlburt...

Oh, and Rune, most people who want to get into 1A7, don't want to just be loading the rounds into the guns, they want more hands-on, which I can completely understand. I have been at Hurlburt for 7 years and love it. I get to talk to the ACs every night, and now I want to fly on them. Guess I am biased...

1A4- What part of WI are you from?

gunner219- The stuff I got from the Rescue Squadron is going with me whenever I go to class. Whenever I have down time between classes, like SERE and BAG, Ill be studying.

I am from the Appleton/Fox Cities area. Menasha to be exact. You?

You guys are making me jealous with all of this tech school talk! I only hope one day I will have to worry about tech school again, in a good way though!

Yeah kinda figured that, oh got my survival school classes today WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!

thats cool , ive got all my classes loaded as well. i start APR 22

Just for everyones information, the basic aerial gunner course is only 3 weeks long. You have a phase test each week 85% is passing grade, if you don't pass a phase test you only get one make-up test during the hole course, so you can't mess-up more then one time.

alan_with_mini_gun.jpg (57 Kb, 390 downloads)

last weeks graduating class

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cool cool, how hard are the tests? have anyone fail?

Im going from a 3C to a 1A7

???

I start EAUC on 29 Feb and it all just rolls so far the only class I dont have yet is the airframe and I wont get that till after I pass EAUC. So phase tests are 85% to pass and I take it as long as you pay attention in class, read the material, and take this opportunity seriously you should'nt have a problem. And I'm sure EAUC is the same way. Not to sound cocky but failure is not an option, I will do whatever it takes b/c I want this more than I've wanted anything and I'll be DAMNED if I have to come back to my current career field. I am going to work harder at this than anything I've done before this. MAN I cant wait until February!!!!!

I, guess I should clarify my posts. I am not in this training program, just passing along information from one of the class members. I don't think many fail to pass this course satisfactorily. This class had a study group each evening to help each other along. I think the average score for the class was in the upper nineties.(94-96). I think if anyone falls-out, it would be in the basic aircrew or survival training.

Relax about BAG. The washout rate is very low. When I was at Kirtland instructing loadmaster training, I got briefed on most Aircrew Evaluation Boards quarterly. There honestly are hardly any at all. Most who don't make it are non-prior guys who can't keep out of off duty trouble. Study what they tell you, put forth your best effort, and they will get you through the coarse. If you show a genuine willingness to want to be there and try, they will not let you fail.

Also, I have never heard of anyone failing survival in my 16 years of flying. EAUC used to have a high washout rate, but even that isn't as bad as of late. You might wash back a block or two, but they will get you through most likely.

Thanks for the answers about that. I was a little worried about it. Im going back to Vegas tomorrow. I cant wait to get my orders!

Nellis, I'm glad you got a little better insight on the training wash-out rates from caninedale. The point I, was trying to make was, that the small class size and the inter action of the trainees helping each other seems to produce very high scoring levels in this type of training.