I was enlisted in the AF for 5 years in the Civil Engineering job field. I spent alot of time in Kuwait, Saudi, and Korea in those 5 short years. I always wanted to be an officer mainly so that I could make a difference in the decision making processes and hopefully take care of my fellow enlisted troops. I worked in what was basically a maintenance and installation position while I Was enlisted, but what I really wanted to do was engineering.
So, my now ex-wife and I decided to take a chance and I would go for my goal. I seperated in 1999 and started full time in a EE program in Colorado. I have worked midshift for 4 years to support my family and have gone to school full time during the evenings and days to get this done.
Thru the process my ex decided she couldn’t handle me constantly being gone and our marraige ended in divorce because of it about a year ago. My daughter lives with her because I work at night unfortunately.
But I pressed on and am going to graduate in June this year with a 3.8GPA.
It has been a long hard road getting the officer ball rolling. You have to do ALOT of stuff to get your package ready. I won’t go into the details but they are VERY picky about these things. Some people take as long as a year before they get to meet a board. I have been working on my package for 8 months and finally will go before next months selection board for a possible commission next week.
I hope to god I get picked up and get some pay back for all the sacrifices I have made in the last 4 years. The AF is not taking very many officers thru civilian OTS applications because ROTC and the Academy are producing more than enough. With the economic down turn there has been a flood of grads going for commissions because they can’t find jobs.
Even if I get selected next week it still will have cost more than I wanted to give for it. Namely the fact that my daughters family was broken by this effort. But it will feel so good if I finally get to see the fruits of my labors. I feel like I am helpless during this war because I feel like I should already be contributing to the effort. Something about being a prior enlisted that makes me feel like I need to be helping. But I have to wait to see if they are going to take me before I can do anything.
Its kind of scary because this is what I worked so hard for for the last 4 years and if I don’t make it I don’t know how I will take it. Even though I am graduating with a BSEE in June then end goal was a commission in the USAF.
I will post my results as soon as I get them if anyone cares. Cross your fingers for me!
A.) Congratulations on getting this far.
B.) Far be it from me to tell anyone why their relationship ended, but just as it takes two to tango, it takes two to end a relationship. So don’t blame yourself and your job for the entirety of breaking up your family.
C.) I can’t imagine any military personel’s job is equal to or easier then it was when we were at peace. I imagine that you’re left picking up some slack left by those who were deployed. And just being in uniform and going to work at a base puts you at more risk then, say, me going to work in a restaurant. So as far as I’m concerned, anyone in uniform IS “contributing to the effort.”
D.) Good luck, break a leg, knock 'em dead, and other traditional, well-wishing terms. Hit it out of the park, slugger!
E.) Definately keep us informed of how it goes. After all, there are a few Dopers in uniform, and I’d sure be amused to know how many would have to salute to you.
3E0X2. Power. Great job but the deployments were killing me. We were third only to Fire and SP guys for quickest rotations into the desert. Even with the AEFs we still were stuck with alot of onsey two-sies to go on.
In 4 years I went to Saudi for 4 months, Kuwait for almost 6 months, Korea for a year, and then Kosovo for a month. I was on the 12 man team that set up Ali Al Saleem in Kuwait. I hear it is up to over 1200 troops now. Before the war that is, who knows how many are there now. And putting down that MAAS in full MOPP. BLECH!!
Never thought I would ever see a real Prime BEEF deployment till that one. You always hear about them but never think they will actually happen. I got a call on Tuesday to get my shit together and I was on the ground in Kuwait by Saturday. Ouch. I’m one of the few non-security AF guys who got to carry a loaded rifle in peace time. We were our own security there for 3 weeks.
Tripler, you are an engineer aren’t you? What is your AFSC?I am going for a 62E spot, which if I get picked up I think I will get for sure, but my second pick is 32E. I wouldn’t mind being back in CE, just those deployments are tough on you. I really want do get into power engineering and there is no better place than a CE squadron for it.
Red Horse is cool. I was with a RH unit at Camp Humphries in Korea for a few months when they had to send one of their power guys stateside due to a death in his family.
What base are you at /have you been stationed? I think I remember from a post of your a while back that you are an officer. If so were you ROTC or OTS?
I’m a 32E3E, Electrical shredout. I ended up going ROTC through Embry-Riddle. Currently, I’m just wrapping up my first tour, which happens to be at Minot. This summer, I head over to the 819th in Malmstrom - the soon to be called “Jump HORSE”
I’ve been overseas only once - Jaber in Kuwait (during 9/11 :eek: ). I’d imagine I’ll be back over there soon enough. Heck, we just had a big group come back from Salem this year.
Good luck. I really hope that all your plans work out - and I think the type of dedication you showed to apply for your commission demonstrates that you can do anything you want to do (per the other thread others have been referencing above). I have deep respect for your goals - my best friend’s little brother is a commissioned Ensign combat engineer in the Navy, currently in Kuwait (or somewhere in Iraq for all we know). My father is a retired USAF Lt. Col, and my future brother in law was just recognized as a cadet in Colorado Springs (he’s still a 4th class cadet, but I believe the bullshit factor has been reduced a degree through recognition). Your pursuit of your commission is admirable, and your commitment to our country through military service is commendable. Again, good luck.
I think you’re in luck. 62s are in high demand. They are even paying those with 8-12 years bonuses right now. I went through the same thing about 17 years ago. I’m now a Lt Col Selectee. Still, it’s a very competative process. If you get in, you’ll have a really interesting career. I’ve blown up airplanes (studying aircraft survivability), commanded satellites, done basic research, worked as a missile crew commander and wrote policy (ok, the last isn’t all that wonderful)
The bad news is that as a 62, you won’t have a lot of leadership opportunities in the conventional sense (i.e. you won’t be leading the troops), but you will be making important decisions on some pretty cool stuff.
Let us know if you make it. e-mail me if you have any questions.
Congrats on your selection turner! That is going to be truly awsome for you.
Are you a 62E? If so do you have any early career advice? Such as when to get a masters etc? Did you get your Phd while in? How long have you been in? How long were you in before you made major? I could ask a ton of questions but I will refrain from asking them on the board and I will shoot you an email.
I think, based on your post that you are indeed a 62E. If you would be kind enough to confirm this for me I will gladly pick your brain via email sir.
Again, giant congrats on making Lt. Col. Thats gotta feel awsome. I truly hope I can make it that far, assuming I make it in next week.
After many mishaps during the process I found out that I got selected today! I will be a 62E1E Developmental Engineer. Its the job I wanted and I got it so I am happy. They will be trying to rush me down to Alabama for OTS by July 1st because they are in desperate need of electrical engineers right now.
Anyway, if anyone even remembers this thread from a few months ago thanks for the good wishes!
Congratulations! Let me know where you get an assignment, and I’ll let you know where I end up TDY. A MiliDopeFest in the making. And you too, turner, sir!