2 answers
LaRissa
Student
Hopewell, Virginia
13
Questions
Asked
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What jobs are the best when working in the airforce ?
Im a junior in high school wanting to enlist into the Air Force. I am on track to becoming a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) but I don't know if Nursing is the right career for me.
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2 answers
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
780
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
LaRissa, it's important to understand that joining the Air Force could open up a multitude of thrilling and significant career options that might align with your passions, particularly if you're uncertain about a long-term career in nursing. Your experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) could naturally lead you to medical roles within the Air Force, like a Medical Technician or a Nurse.
However, the Air Force also presents a wide array of opportunities in sectors such as aviation, engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, and communications. You might consider roles like an Aerospace Propulsion Specialist, an Air Traffic Controller, or a Cyber Systems Operations Specialist, which could equip you with specialized skills and a fulfilling career path. Other roles like an Intelligence Analyst, Security Forces, or a Combat Controller come with unique and challenging tasks that play a critical role in national security and military operations. It's vital to ponder what sparks your interest and where your skills could be most beneficial.
The Air Force appreciates individuals who are flexible, devoted, and strive for excellence, so exploring different roles through conversations with a recruiter and considering your interests and long-term objectives can assist you in making a more educated decision about your enlistment.
However, the Air Force also presents a wide array of opportunities in sectors such as aviation, engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, and communications. You might consider roles like an Aerospace Propulsion Specialist, an Air Traffic Controller, or a Cyber Systems Operations Specialist, which could equip you with specialized skills and a fulfilling career path. Other roles like an Intelligence Analyst, Security Forces, or a Combat Controller come with unique and challenging tasks that play a critical role in national security and military operations. It's vital to ponder what sparks your interest and where your skills could be most beneficial.
The Air Force appreciates individuals who are flexible, devoted, and strive for excellence, so exploring different roles through conversations with a recruiter and considering your interests and long-term objectives can assist you in making a more educated decision about your enlistment.
Ryan Pfeiffer, MA
Firefighter Lieutenant / EMT
104
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hello again LaRissa. Unfortunately without knowing more about what attracts you to nursing and what aspects of nursing you're unsure about, its difficult to provide tailored advice. I'll do my best though!
As I think you are aware, there are dozens of jobs to choose from in the Air Force enlisted ranks. Since military bases are nearly self-sufficient, just about every job that exists in the civilian world is also available in the military.
If you're attracted to the medical field, as other commenters have replied, there are many many options available. If you're hesitation about nursing is because of the high stress life-or-death nature of the work, you may enjoy something in healthcare that does not deal in emergency medicine, such as a dental hygienist or dietician. If your apprehension is about the entire state of the healthcare system, you might enjoy being a firefighter or security forces (military police) where you still get to help people, but outside of a clinical facility.
If those jobs are still too high stress, or you're looking for something more traditional and applicable to a civilian career should you choose to leave the Air Force, you should probably look into things like administration, finance, contracting, logistics, etc. These types of careers are generally office based with normal working hours, and could prepare you for a career in human resources, office management, payroll or accounting, etc.
If preparing for a civilian career is not your priority, and you're just looking for opportunity and adventure, I'd highly encourage you to seek a flying assignment. Something like a loadmaster, crew chief, boom operator, etc. The Air Force is treated better than the other branches, and aircrew are treated better than the entire rest of the Air Force. If you're looking for adventure, this is the best way to see the world and get to do things that nobody else from your high school will get to do!
That's the best I can do without having more information. I hope something in there helped! Let me know if you have any additional questions.
As I think you are aware, there are dozens of jobs to choose from in the Air Force enlisted ranks. Since military bases are nearly self-sufficient, just about every job that exists in the civilian world is also available in the military.
If you're attracted to the medical field, as other commenters have replied, there are many many options available. If you're hesitation about nursing is because of the high stress life-or-death nature of the work, you may enjoy something in healthcare that does not deal in emergency medicine, such as a dental hygienist or dietician. If your apprehension is about the entire state of the healthcare system, you might enjoy being a firefighter or security forces (military police) where you still get to help people, but outside of a clinical facility.
If those jobs are still too high stress, or you're looking for something more traditional and applicable to a civilian career should you choose to leave the Air Force, you should probably look into things like administration, finance, contracting, logistics, etc. These types of careers are generally office based with normal working hours, and could prepare you for a career in human resources, office management, payroll or accounting, etc.
If preparing for a civilian career is not your priority, and you're just looking for opportunity and adventure, I'd highly encourage you to seek a flying assignment. Something like a loadmaster, crew chief, boom operator, etc. The Air Force is treated better than the other branches, and aircrew are treated better than the entire rest of the Air Force. If you're looking for adventure, this is the best way to see the world and get to do things that nobody else from your high school will get to do!
That's the best I can do without having more information. I hope something in there helped! Let me know if you have any additional questions.