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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Expert Profile
Expertise
I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.
Experience in the area
Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager
What do you like about this subject?
I believe the Air Force is the best of the armed services, and enjoy the opportunity to provide the motivation to young folks interested in joining.
Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:
Only 3% of the Air Force's enlisted force are on flying status.
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response T = Timeliness P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marie | 10/30/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Tiffany | 10/27/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Rikky Thommas | 10/12/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Alicia | 08/17/09 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | Thank you so much for you response! ..... |
| AJ | 08/11/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you Mr. Bell, your timely response ..... |
Recent Answers from James Bell
2010-01-29 reserve ang loadmaster:
Joe - Despite being a Reservist or Guardsman, I know several people who make it as much of a full-time job as possible. Most of the non-operations, administrative fields can do the one weekend a month
2010-01-20 Flight Crew:
Anthonie - I can't give you any updates on if the Air Force is accepting flight engineers as an entry level job, but looking as I haven't seen any changes in he qualification criteria, I would think
2010-01-12 Confused:
Sabrina - There are huge differences between Active and Reserve. When you go Active, your full-time job is the military. You go where they tell you and when. You can be stationed at any base the
2010-01-08 Inflight Refueling:
Shane - Unfortunately, I can't give you any helpful insight for securing a particular job in the Air Force. Back in my day I picked the specific career as I met the requirements, and that's the job
2010-01-02 Inflight Refueling:
Shane - First of all, I will point out that we do not have MOS's in the Air Force: We have AFSC's (Air Force Specialty Codes). Here are a few links for the three aircrew jobs I can provide the most
Answers by Expert:
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