Posted on Dec 30, 2020
Does anyone have any insight on Security Forces in the Air Force? What is the day-to-day life like?
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Just looking for insight from some older military members on the day to day life in security forces and the difference of quality of life compared to other branches. I’m hoping to get deployed and travel some and I plan on eventually going into K9 any relevant experience would be helpful!
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 5
Security Forces are essentially the Air Force Law Enforcement and Security personnel. All the Services have similar organizations: Military Police in the army and Master at Arms in the Navy. My knowledge of USAF Security Forces is dated, but I can tell what I saw during my military career and time as an Army Civilian. Also, one of my ex-son-in-laws was an AF SF airman.
Security Forces are very important to the overall operation of the Air Force. Their work in security is essential in protecting installations and national assets, such as strategic bombers. Some SF personnel travel with transport aircraft based on the security requirements of the cargo or aircraft.
The airmen (E-1 through E-4) generally do shift work. NCOs work as shift chiefs and in mid-level management positions. The Law Enforcement function is similar to local police departments: traffic control, domestic calls, investigations of on-base crimes. SF airmen are considered "combat forces." They are probably the largest single group of enlisted combat forces in the Air Force. They also operate Air Force on-base confinement facilities.
Day-to-day life of the junior grade airmen is controlled by their shift schedule and scheduled duties. They may be required to guard a base gate for several days and then transition to other duties, such as traffic control, on other days. They may be on a rotating work schedule so they work some days, swings, or night shifts. Unmarried junior airmen normally live in the barracks and are expected to eat in the dining facility. NCOs and married airmen are allowed to live on the economy and receive basic allowance for subsistence in lieu of eating in the dining facility. About the same as life in all Services for a junior enlisted--except the Navy where life aboard ship is--well it's unique.
Security Forces are very important to the overall operation of the Air Force. Their work in security is essential in protecting installations and national assets, such as strategic bombers. Some SF personnel travel with transport aircraft based on the security requirements of the cargo or aircraft.
The airmen (E-1 through E-4) generally do shift work. NCOs work as shift chiefs and in mid-level management positions. The Law Enforcement function is similar to local police departments: traffic control, domestic calls, investigations of on-base crimes. SF airmen are considered "combat forces." They are probably the largest single group of enlisted combat forces in the Air Force. They also operate Air Force on-base confinement facilities.
Day-to-day life of the junior grade airmen is controlled by their shift schedule and scheduled duties. They may be required to guard a base gate for several days and then transition to other duties, such as traffic control, on other days. They may be on a rotating work schedule so they work some days, swings, or night shifts. Unmarried junior airmen normally live in the barracks and are expected to eat in the dining facility. NCOs and married airmen are allowed to live on the economy and receive basic allowance for subsistence in lieu of eating in the dining facility. About the same as life in all Services for a junior enlisted--except the Navy where life aboard ship is--well it's unique.
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AF Security Forces are the premier USAF career field for asset, personnel, and weapon security for Air Force bases worldwide, as well as on base law enforcement, combat arms, and K9. Technical training post Basic Training is conducted at Joint Base San Antonio (same base for Basic) and lasts about two months, including the SF academy and Air Base Ground Defense school. SF work is 24/7, and typically split across three shifts (mission willing). Day to day mission for junior enlisted typically includes entry control and asset security (aircraft and other elevated protection-level assets).
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Christian McCormick
Thank you Sgt! Do you happen to know what some other responsibilities during wartime are for security forces like during a deployment ?
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SSgt (Join to see)
Christian McCormick - The mission won't change during wartime. Certainly, the threat condition will, and that will dictate how operations are conducted compared to peacetime CONUS locations.
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