How soon after tech school can I change my AFSC? (Plus other secondary questions) (reserves, Air Force)

[Wingman_42]

I'm currently in training as a 1N3 linguist, have been since last March, and graduate in about a month. My entire career as a linguist hinges on one pass-or-fail test. However, over the past six months I've lost the drive and desire to be a linguist. Additionally, I've recently become engaged and my fiance is stationed at Moody AFB. Ft. Gordon, where I'd be stationed, is only four and a half hours a way which is better than say Alaska, but still quite a commute if we found a place in the middle to live once we're married.

Now if I fail the test no problem; I'd get reclassed. However, if I pass I'm wondering how long I would have to be a linguist until I could re-train into something else. Does anyone know?

I don't trust my ATA to be honest with me. He's a salesman and has tried on several occasions to use my relationship and my ignorance of how the "real" Air Force works to scare me into doing what he wants. It hasn't worked--I won't be bullied--and because of it I don't trust him anymore.

The secondary questions:

-As someone with high ASVAB scores, how likely am I as a first-term Airman to get reclassed into Public Affairs?

-I've read up on Public Affairs on the internet, but I figure it's better to get first-hand knowlege about it; again, my ATA has tried to scare me out of it by telling me it's jumping out of planes with PJs to take pictures while people are shooting at you and/or taking pictures of dead bodies. I figure it has something more to do with military-civilian relations...y'know...public affairs. On the list of AFSC descriptions I was reading, it sounded more like Air Force journalism, graphic design, and/or tour scheduling. So what do Public Affairs people actually do?

-How far away from your base are you allowed to live? (Considering a 2 hour commute is still on the talbe for me at this point)

-I know Air Force tries to keep married couples together, but if reclassed how likely are they to consider a preference to be stationed with someone I'm not married to yet, but intend to marry?


Anyone who could answer any or all of these questions, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[faabala]

If you wash out of that school most likely you will be reclassed into Security Forces or less likely into Services (whatever they call it now)

Reclass into Public Affairs? I'd bet there is ZERO possibility of that. People who washout of school for any reason don't get good jobs

I spent 24 in Security Forces and saw lots and lots of washouts. I retired in 2008.

A two hour commute while working 12 hour shifts with PT before or after...... I doubt that will work either. One of you two will be visiting on your time off.

[Wingman_42]

Heh...if everyone who washed out of here got reclassed into Security Forces, no one would get that job when they first enlisted. We're a joint base; I don't know the Air Force's pass rate but base-wide the entire school only has about a 50% pass rate. I have never once heard of anyone getting reclassed into Security Forces; the Air Force wouldn't waste a perfectly good Top Secret clearance. We get reclassed into good jobs. Among my friends alone they've been reclassed into Image Analysis, Systems Intel, Signals Intel, and medical (not sure what type of medical). My fiance was reclassed into Environmental Electronics Engineering. And those are just the people who didn't finish. I'm going to finish, which means I have an even higher chance of getting a job that I want. There are many other AFSCs people get reclassed into. My chances of getting reclassed into Public Affairs wouldn't be affected by my failing the test here, but mostly by Air Force needs which is what I'm looking for.

I know that a two hour commute will be exhausting. But I want to know how far away from base the Air Force will allow us to live.

[Farmerkd1]

Now if I fail the test no problem

First off, failing the test could be a big problem.

"The technical training squadron commander considers all circumstances surrounding the individual’s elimination to determine if separation is appropriate. If the commander does not initiate separation, the airman reports for retraining."

However, if I pass I'm wondering how long I would have to be a linguist until I could re-train into something else.

"A first-term airmen (four-year enlistment contact) assigned to a CONUS (stateside) base is eligible to volunteer to retrain after they have completed 35 months (no more than 43 months) of military service."
The program is called CAREERS retraining.

There are some other wrinkles if a bonus is involved, which I'm sure would be as a linguist.

As someone with high ASVAB scores, how likely am I as a first-term Airman to get reclassed into Public Affairs?

[After failing a technical training course] "… if retention/re-training is approved, the individual does not get a choice in which fields they will be re-trained into."
Actually, you can list your 3 top choices, but it's only a suggestion to them - they don't have to honor it.

"Airmen eliminated from technical training courses for academic deficiency (not within their control) may not request retraining into AFSCs that require an identical or higher aptitude score."

"If selected for re-training, airmen are re-trained into an AFSC that they (1) are qualified for, (2) has an available class-start date within 120 days, and (3) has a course-length of no longer than 8 weeks"

Read the reg for better guidance; http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/share...AFI36-2626.pdf

How far away from your base are you allowed to live?

It's up to the commander. For most of the bases I've been stationed it was 30 minutes with some exceptions. You have to be within a reasonable distance in case of a recall etc.


I seriously doubt you had any plans to "throw the game," but if you did, remember they don't have to keep you if you fail out and things can get really bad if they think you failed on purpose.

But keep your chin up. You may love the job, and 4 hours isn't that bad considering other long distance relationships I've seen. If you end up getting married, you can work out a joint spouse deal.

[xavierob82]

Originally Posted by faabala

If you wash out of that school most likely you will be reclassed into Security Forces or less likely into Services (whatever they call it now)

Way back when I went through Security Forces tech school, I could only recall 2 people who were washed out of another tech school and sent to the jailhouse...PJ and TACP wash-outs, and they both WANTED to be an SP. I find it hard to believe the Air Force would take someone who was an intel, public affairs, or finance troop and force them to be a cop. You have to have a certain mindset to be a copper.

I served 4 years in the Air Force as an SF member, and I enjoyed it. Got it as a guaranteed job, too. Was stationed in Germany, deployed to Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia doing convoy duty, VIP escorts, and humanitarian missions. Got out and used the GI Bill, got an education, and now I have a great career that has nothing to do with security/law enforcement.

[Wingman_42]

First off, failing the test could be a big problem.

"The technical training squadron commander considers all circumstances surrounding the individual’s elimination to determine if separation is appropriate. If the commander does not initiate separation, the airman reports for retraining."

I'm not worried about separation. Like I said, this place has about a 50% pass/fail rate; if separation were common, our commander(s) would be wasting an enormous amount of the Air Force's money. After failing out of here we get separated only if a) we ask for it and/or b) we have a history of disciplinary problems. Some airmen are who want to separate are even begged to stay in. I've flown under the radar, so I'm not worried about it. ;D

"A first-term airmen (four-year enlistment contact) assigned to a CONUS (stateside) base is eligible to volunteer to retrain after they have completed 35 months (no more than 43 months) of military service."
The program is called CAREERS retraining.

There are some other wrinkles if a bonus is involved, which I'm sure would be as a linguist.

That's what I was lookin for, thank you. There is a bonus involved, but as far as I can tell from friends who've gotten reclassed, the bonus just goes away is all and (obviously) no flip pay unless we re-test at some other point. If Basic is included in that 35 months and I were reclassed I'd have a year and a half to two years to wait before re-training.

[After failing a technical training course] "… if retention/re-training is approved, the individual does not get a choice in which fields they will be re-trained into."
Actually, you can list your 3 top choices, but it's only a suggestion to them - they don't have to honor it.

"Airmen eliminated from technical training courses for academic deficiency (not within their control) may not request retraining into AFSCs that require an identical or higher aptitude score."

"If selected for re-training, airmen are re-trained into an AFSC that they (1) are qualified for, (2) has an available class-start date within 120 days, and (3) has a course-length of no longer than 8 weeks"

I knew I didn't get a choice, but that I could put in for what I wanted. I know it all depends on Air Force needs, I was just wondering about the odds. It seems to go in waves though. I don't think Public Affairs has an identical or higher aptitude requirement, but I'll look that up. Didn't know that about reclasses. The eight weeks thing though...that's weird because a lot of reclasses from here get put into jobs that have training course lengths of as long as five months. Hmm. Thank you for the link, though! I'm definitely going to take a look at that and do my homework before I take the test.

I'm DEFINITELY not throwing the test. I've been here for a year and three months and only been allowed to leave and see my family for Christmas; I'm not throwing away all that hard work. I'm just trying to prepare for the worst. Four hours definitely isn't bad considering my fiance has been in Texas for five months while I'm stuck in California, and after Saturday he'll be at his new job in Georgia. I just wanted it to be a bit more convenient for commuting purposes. Thank you for all of the answers, it's been a huge help!

[Farmerkd1]

I'm not worried about separation.

You're right, they've invested a lot in you so far, but never underestimate their capacity for stupidity!
My little brother was recently forced out for failure to be promoted to L/C. He joined the Reserves, was immediately promoted, and now the AD is offering a bonus for him to come back in!
That being said, as long as you tried your best they shouldn't hold it against you.

...that's weird because a lot of reclasses from here get put into jobs that have training course lengths of as long as five months

I just gave you a quote from the reg... your mileage may vary. In other words, what the reg says is the minimum you should expect, but for every rule there's a waiver if someone is willing to help you. When I went for CAREERS retraining into a job I wasn't "qualified" for, I was turned down 3 times before my commander pressed for a waiver and I got it.

If Basic is included in that 35 months

Yes, it is. Total service time (TIS). (It's different if you're a 6-year enlistee, though).

I have a buddy in public affairs, but I don't really know much about it. He's never deployed, but here in Conus he's a focal for outside news sources, press releases, and spends a lot of time researching and writing unit histories when not doing the primary job.

I also have a friend that graduated from your school last year. She learned Farsi and can write her own ticket anywhere. Though she's locked in for awhile as a 6-yr enlistee, she's hounded with offers from all over the world to work for various government agencies, private companies, and even the UN. So, like I said before, you may end up liking this if you can pass that test!
What language are you studying anyway?

[Wingman_42]

Yes, it is. Total service time (TIS). (It's different if you're a 6-year enlistee, though).

Oh...I'm going to have to review the reg, then. I'm a six-year.

That's very helpful to know about public affairs! It sounds right up my alley. If I fail I've been thinking about calling a recruiter to check out the possibility because they'd have a good idea, right? Good idea or stupid idea?

Farsi...so jealous. >.< Farsi has a pretty high pass rate from what I hear, but they're not in my squadron so I dunno. Farsi, Hebrew, and Spanish are the dream languages. I'm stuck in Iraqi. It's better than just straight MSA because people actually speak it...but it's a Cat IV.

[bellhead]

One of the things that will effect you from what I know is did they complete your SF-86 investigation. If so from what I know you will be reclassed to another intel field.

[xavierob82]

Originally Posted by Wingman_42

Farsi, Hebrew, and Spanish are the dream languages. I'm stuck in Iraqi.

How intriguing. What is this language called 'Iraqi' and where do they speak it? Is it in the same language family as 'Muslim'? I heard Muslim is a pretty hard language to learn too.