Does the Army work longer days than the Air Force?

2018-01-21T01:23:38-05:00

I'm particularly interested in the medical and aviation field. The army crew Cheif said that he goes in at 6am and leaves at 6pm. I've heard him talk about how his buddies were mad cuz they left late at 5:15 before. I feel like someone's trying to make their life seem harder than it is. Please tell me of your experiences. I thank you so much for your time.(this does not include deployment hours)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 1:29 AM

2018-01-21T01:29:05-05:00

I am in the Army Reserve. We normally have our first formations at 7:30 in the morning but they want you to be there between 7 and 7:25 to sign in. I went to a conference the last couple days at an Army Reserve Base. The Symposium had generals there. We were told to show up at 7 in the morning one morning and at 9 a.m. on another. Each unit is different and each day is different. I am sure there are many Air Force and army mechanics who work way longer than that trying to keep their Aviation assets flying. Normally, we would have final formation by 1700 at my guard unit and maybe excuse by 1730 the latest. It is all Mission dependent.

Response by Gary Henson made Jan 21 at 2018 1:46 AM

2018-01-21T01:46:37-05:00

Do you know if this also applies to people in active duty? Does the aviation crew work this shift every single day?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 21 at 2018 1:48 AM

2018-01-21T01:48:30-05:00

No service, and I mean NO SERVICE, works longer hours than Navy and Coast Guard. That said, I think you will find that most members will find civilian distaste a non-issue. You're doing the right thing by asking. 12 hour shifts are COMMON across all services, but they're also common in the civilian world. If you would like your daughter to serve, teach her to choose her service based on her skills, desires, and direction she wants her life to go in...NOT working hours.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 1:52 AM

2018-01-21T01:52:36-05:00

Gary Henson If you want an eight to five job, you might want a job other than the military.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 21 at 2018 1:53 AM

2018-01-21T01:53:40-05:00

It really depends on the CONUS location, workload, and your specialty. There isn't a rule of thumb. If there's a manning pinch, you work longer hours. Comes with the territory. Medical tends to be a bit more stable overall. Anything having to do with flight revolves around the variable mission, training, and frankly the good or crappy condition of the airframes you're dealing with. This is definitely a results will vary situation. I'd take a look at overall manning levels of the fields you're looking into. One indicator would be what the recruiters are offering bonus wise for people doing similar trades. Bonus = Hurt Locker. However, with the bonus, you'll have more leverage on where your first assignment is. Regardless, these things never work out as planned. Remember Military Rule #1. No plan survives contact with the enemy.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 21 at 2018 2:25 AM

2018-01-21T02:25:00-05:00

Its a good question, and you are smart to ask. Your wife needs to be the independent type that can get things done while you are not around. My wife was great. She made the decision to stay home and not work outside the house until our kids were all in school. She also made sure that when I got home, there was nothing for me to do but be with the family. But I'm not going to tell you that it was fair or easy for her.

If you are looking for a 40 hour work week, the military is the wrong place. It is a hard place to raise a family. They will make a lot of sacrifices and so will you. I taught a buddy's son how to ride a bike while he was deployed and he took my son fishing for the first time. That sucks. None-the-less the military isn't a bad place to raise a family if you can focus on the good stuff.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 7:04 AM

2018-01-21T07:04:13-05:00

Longer days or harder days

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Jan 21 at 2018 8:33 AM

2018-01-21T08:33:55-05:00

Gary Henson My entire career (20+) has been Army Aviation. Yes, we tend to spend some long hours working on aircraft to have them ready for missions or training. My current unit (VIP) does not allow for mission drops except under extreme circumstances. That being said, anytime we have someone new come into our unit, they are briefed ahead of time to be prepared for long work days. As a flight platoon sergeant, I was usually the last one leaving the flight line to ensure my Soldiers got out of there. Sometimes you have to chase them off the flightline due to their nature of not wanting to leave broke aircraft for the next day.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 21 at 2018 1:46 PM

2018-01-21T13:46:29-05:00

ROFLMAO, please, I can't believe that is a question. Outside of a few MOS's in the Air Force, I have never seen them work hard, break sweat, or have to do anything after 3:30 or before 8:00 AM. I base this on the support I got from Air Forces bases while Active duty from 1982-1992, my deployment to Iraq in 2004-2005, and watching the Air Guard on Joint Exercise.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 5:45 PM

2018-01-21T17:45:55-05:00

I think it really depends on the unit and their mission. When I was active... a long long time ago... We had 0500 PT formation, then 0830 dury formation. We then had closing formation around 1630. At that point, released to platoon leadership who had the option to keep you longer to finish a project, or cut you loose.

Response by CW2 Jo Alistair made Jan 21 at 2018 7:54 PM

2018-01-21T19:54:34-05:00

I cannot speak for the Air Force but in the Army days like you described and longer are possible. Not every day will last that long but there are plenty of long days.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 1:04 AM

2018-01-22T01:04:40-05:00

You want a 8 to 5-ish job in the military?

In the medical field, that might be possible if you work at a hospital/MEDDAC, but it really depends on your MOS. You could work 8 to 5 shifts, or get stuck working 12 hour shifts. Or even swing shifts.

And working in a hospital/MEDDAC doesn't mean you can't get pulled to deploy with another unit.

On top of that, you are supposed to change duty stations every 2-3 years. If your first duty station is a hospital/MEDDAC, then generally they try to send you to a field unit next. And vice versa. 8 to 5 shifts are even less likely there.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 22 at 2018 11:16 AM

2018-01-22T11:16:23-05:00

USAF flight crews have regs covering them for safety reasons (i.e. crew days). In the Army, we worked till the job was done- all we had to get was 4 hours of sleep.

Response by SSG Randy Talbot made Jan 22 at 2018 11:48 AM

2018-01-22T11:48:36-05:00

Gary, like everyone has said, it all depends on where you are, what unit you are in and what role/job you have. I served as a medic from 1975-1990. Having another speciality, required me to be on call to the ER one week a month, in addition to my normal duty day. In field units, I worked in a clinic that had a real time mission open from 0700-1700. That was when we say patients, so physical training, skills training and professional development took place whenever we could fit it in. We also supported brigades in the field, so it was not unusual for one of my guys to head to the field for a week to 30 days and the rest of us picked up the slack. Specialized training was similar, we were all sent for paramedic training, so again we had to pick up the slack. Was this unusual, not really. Every unit I was assigned to, either garrison/MEDDAC/Hospital overseas of stateside all had elements of these missions, shift work for hospital wards and clinics and emergency rooms. Medical personnel in most units have a real world mission in addition to their unit responsibilities, like motor stables, physical training, skills training, rifle qualification, common skills training, some go to school or do coorespondance courses to advance their education, field duty in support of your supported units in addition to your own units field training.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 11:51 AM

2018-01-22T11:51:18-05:00

Depends on the Mission, as one 1st SGT use to say , "1630 ain't no magic number"

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 11:53 AM

2018-01-22T11:53:32-05:00

Gary Henson depends on the unit. I have seen early days I have seen long days depending on the unit. Also, depends on the individual and what position they fill. If you are a Commander or in a key leadership position you need to have longer days than your subordinates.

Response by SPC David Willis made Jan 22 at 2018 12:44 PM

2018-01-22T12:44:32-05:00

Our (Army Infantry) duty day was typically 6-5, but really it would be 6-6. Some commanders and 1SGTs don't believe in keeping their company at work to finish up their admin stuff. Ours did not subscribe to that way of thinking. It wasn't awful though. Infantry is particular can have some unexpected short days since when youre not training you basically are playing a game of "out of sight out of mind" but we also had month long field exercises that saw us working essentially 60-70 hours a week. On the flip side when you came in you could have a long weekend or shorter duty times the following week.

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Jan 22 at 2018 1:13 PM

2018-01-22T13:13:17-05:00

i was a medic and i do remember putting some very long hours when we were getting ready to deploy downrange or for a major field problem. I would in to work in the dark hours of the morning, and go home in the dark hours of the night. So yes, you will have long days, but you will also have some much deserved time off. It all depends on what type of unit you are in.

Response by SPC Rob Lewis made Jan 22 at 2018 1:31 PM

2018-01-22T13:31:15-05:00

Short answer, it depends on your unit. I served with three very different units while I has in. Two where gravy, lots of time off and no BS.
The security unit I was in sucked big time. 12 hrs. shifts on-site. That did not count time for drawing weapons and ammo, standing inspection (guard mount) and then after your 12 hours of walking non-stop post to post. You did the reverse of turning in your weapon and ammo. Then got down to cleaning the barracks even if you lived off post. 18-20 hour days were the norm.

My personal best was 28 days before I got a day off.

Response by Sgt Tylor Dewett made Jan 23 at 2018 4:15 AM

2018-01-23T04:15:34-05:00

I'm not the kind of person to answer this when it comes to aviation or medical MOS'. However I can tell you that, regardless of branch, your highers will tell you when you're done for the day. At my last unit, I can remember starting operations for FSRG around 0630 (CST) and being done by 1700 or 1800 depending on how much we had to catch up with, not to mention the time we changed from ATLASS/SASSY to GCSS-MC and working from home a few times, so youre looking at 16 +/- hour days mon-fri and occasionally weekend if need be. With that being said, it all depends on the mission at hand and what has to be done.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 23 at 2018 5:52 AM

2018-01-23T05:52:52-05:00

I was an Air Force crew chief on KC-135 and other variants. If your plane is flying that day, you are in 4 hours prior to launch and relief after launch. BUT you are also back in XX hours later after the mission to recover, refuel, inspect, schedule specialists and repair as necessary. It was not uncommon to have 10-12 hours a day on flying days. On non-flying days, it was usually 8 hours less an hour for chow or until all scheduled maintenance was through. Most of the Air Force Crew Chiefs I know looked at the plane as "Their" plane and treated it as their own and the aircrew only borrowed it. We did what we had to do to keep the birds ready to go on a moments notice.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 11:28 AM

2018-01-23T11:28:13-05:00

I have been in a unit where the 1SG released us around 2100 every night. I've been at units where we were released at 1630. It all depends on your leadership in the military period.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 8:36 AM

2018-01-24T08:36:24-05:00

You have to make some very broad assumptions here. So...assuming you live on base and your NCOIC wants you in 30min prior to first formation, you will get up at about 0530 in order to get ready and be at your roll call at 0600ish. If you live off post, you start earlier to get in at the same time. So while your work day starts at 0630 for PT, you're up and out of the house earlier. Let's just say your day starts at 0600 like most people in the Army. That's if you aren't on mission. If you are...that's a different story. PT until 0730, clean up and back to work at 0830 or 0900 for work formation. 0900-1200, lunch from 1200-1300, 1300-UTC for the rest of the day. NORMALLY, you will have final formation at about 1630-1700. Depends on what is going on. It is highly likely that a large portion of the unit will continue to work after the Commander "releases you." This is especially true if there is maintenance to do or if you are preparing for an exercise. This is also the time when leadership can get administrative actions complete since they were doing the majority of their hands-on work during the day. As an officer on the line, I generally worked from 0600-1900. Every day. Some days I left at 1800. Some days I left the office at 2100. Depends how much work you have to do. By the time I left the area, most of the lower enlisted were gone and the only people left were senior enlisted and officers...and even then most of them had left as well. There is always too much to do and not enough time to do it. Average joe? 0600-1730. I think that's average. That's an 11.5 hour day. Unless you are on CQ. Then it's 24 on 24 off.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 8:48 AM

2018-02-01T08:48:08-05:00

It all depends on the tempo of the unit and mission, but being 6 years flight lone avionics for the AF and being 5 years avionics for the Army I can only speak on personal experience and what I have witnessed.
Hands down I worked longer hours and more weekends in the AF. Flying Aircraft is the number 1 priority of the AF. Its where the money and focus go. Sole purpose of the the AF is warheads on foreheads.
In my 6 years in AF, I was never given duty time for PT. I was never given a lunch period. You eat while you work. And typically worked 10-12 hours a day. Even more so in South Korea. Its a 24 hour/7 day a week operation.
Others might have different experiences but that is mine.

Response by SSG Michael Montoya made Feb 4 at 2018 12:56 AM

2018-02-04T00:56:10-05:00

After 20 years in Aviation I can tell you that the only time you are almost guaranteed to always work only 12 hours a day is deployment and that is only because we run 24 hour ops and there is a 2nd shift to take over where you leave off. Otherwise there is an OR (Operational Readiness) Rating that needs to kept up which means the LTC, the Production Control Officer, and even higher various commanders will be very interested in when they are going to have their aircraft up....and god help you if you think it will be left overnight or even worse over the weekend in a Non mission capable status. If you want a happier life in the military work somewhere you push paperwork to support those who work longer hours on a consistent basis because at least they'll be happy when their pay and promotions go through.

Response by SFC John McDonald made Feb 8 at 2018 4:01 PM

2018-02-08T16:01:10-05:00

As a grunt (my first 4.. 11C) if we were not making sand bags range clean up or some sort we were in the barracks playing super Nintendo and drinking beer by 1500, before the war... as a Blackhawk crewchief.. maintenance section would roll at 1700.. but yes... my flight crews were usually working till 1800 which is why they gotntye separate rats

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 12:11 PM

2018-02-11T12:11:55-05:00

I was a 15U and a 15R I was in. In garrison, the training day may start earlier for the Army, but both sides are released about the same time. The bigger difference is in field exercises and deployments. Army aviation runs on a 12 hour duty day in combat, so field exercises are usually ran the same way. From my dealings with the Air Force, they seemed to work shorter days, but had an additional shift to compensate.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 19 at 2018 11:42 AM

2018-02-19T11:42:21-05:00

It depends on the airman's or soldier's AFSC or MOS and duty assignment. As an aircrew member my work hours were limited when I was flying. Maximum duty day was 12 hours if we were operating into a remote or austere airfield or performing airdrops; 14 hours for logistics and training missions; 24 hours for logistics missions with an augmented aircrew (doubling the size of the aircrew). So we did put in some long days and started at some very early hours. I'm convinced the paratroopers we picked up had been up even longer hours than we had. As a pilot training instructor, 12 hour days were normal, but we usually had weekends off. Aircrew duty days also vary by aircraft type. Folks on RP who flew fighters, bombers, or airborne command posts can comment on their duties.

There was no limit on duty hours at the flying Squadron or Wing level. Mostly you were expected to get your non-flying job done and to be available if your supervisor or commander needed you. Normally we worked 0730-1630, but the Commander, Ops Officer, Aircrew Schedulers, Chief pilot, nav, engineer, loadmaster and first sergeant often worked longer.

I know the maintenance and aerial port officers and enlisted worked long hours. Shift work was the norm and 12-hour shifts were not unusual. I saw maintainers bust their ass to get the aircraft flyable and to turn them around between missions. Senior NCOs often worked very long hours to make sure maintenance was performed correctly. Aerial port officers and enlisted also normally worked shifts. Similar to the maintenance folks, the often busted their ass to make sure aircraft loads were properly configured and ready to load when the aircrew loadmaster got to the aircraft. Both maintenance and aerial port teams deployed to remote and austere airfields to support operations. They were usually on the second or third aircraft in when an airfield was opened (security, combat control, and engineers were normally on the first).

Many other AFSCs work shifts. Air Traffic Controllers, Security, Fire Protection, Transportation, actually almost anybody associated with flight operations. My hat's off to them all.

On the other hand, there are thousands of airmen whose AFSCs and duties do not require them to work shifts or long hours in many cases. Personnel, supply, some civil engineering, administration, acquisition, legal, some medical, and finance can often get by with 8-hour days, 5 days a week. Also airmen assigned to headquarters jobs often work 8-to-10-hour days; however, some do shift work in command and control organizations or call centers. They are all important parts of the Air Force mission and provide essential support to the airmen at most installations.

Turning to the Army, my experience is limited to interfacing with paratroopers and Army load teams plus working at a two-star headquarters. The paratroopers appear to work very long days when they are scheduled to jump. The troops often complained that they had been up "all night" when we showed up for a 1100 airdrop (0930 takeoff). The Army transportation load teams were excellent anytime I worked with them. They knew their job as well as any Air Force aerial porter. I think they did shift work at major installations and adjusted their work schedule at small locations to fit the airlift schedule. At the major component headquarters, my Army military counterparts worked 8-to-12-hour days; however, those in the command and control organization worked shifts and sometimes more than 12 hours. The Colonels and above worked longer hours than most anybody else. Again my greatest respect to all of those folks.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Feb 19 at 2018 12:26 PM

2018-02-19T12:26:45-05:00

Of course, who doesn’t?

Response by Capt David Bays made Feb 19 at 2018 12:34 PM

2018-02-19T12:34:31-05:00

Peace-time CONUS in the operations squadron...it was about 0800-1530 on days before we flew. Flight days were about 0330-1730. On other days, just check the schedule in the morning and then get chased out for "wasting oxygen." But try to kill time until lunch and then repeat until happy hour. If you had an additional duty/office job, then you were looking at 0800-1600. There were few such jobs that required you to be there that late.

Response by SSG Damien Mange made Feb 22 at 2018 10:12 PM

2018-02-22T22:12:34-05:00

If you are in a flight company you will typically follow a PT to COB (1700) schedule unless you are on the flight schedule then your day is dictated by mission requirements.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 22 at 2018 10:34 PM

2018-02-22T22:34:20-05:00

The Air Force treats it people like people. The Army treats them like Soldiers. Unfortunately, this means in some cases Soldiers work 12 to 14 hour days just because everybody else does. Sometimes you have to say, "Why are we doing this?"

Response by SPC Joseph Wojcik made Feb 22 at 2018 10:40 PM

2018-02-22T22:40:33-05:00

I believe a standard work day is the same across all branches unless you're deployed. Most of my life in garrison was 0600-1700 with a 90 minute break between PT and work call and usually a 90 minute lunch (except on Thursday).

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 22 at 2018 11:16 PM

2018-02-22T23:16:13-05:00

Not sure if you know this but Army readiness reporting for aircraft is counted in hours. For ground systems it is counted in days. Last I checked Apaches were required to be available and ready to go 75% of the hours every month. So if you have a bird down, it is a$$holes and elbows until the bird is up. That's everybody.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2018 6:30 AM

2018-02-23T06:30:19-05:00

ARMY can work inconsistent hours more than air force. Air force works corporate hours and even when all the work is done they have to sit around and play with their thumbs. Army will let you go at noon on Friday if all is done.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2018 11:47 AM

2018-02-23T11:47:06-05:00

Of course everyone work harder and longer then the AF, and then they get Meritorious Service Medals at the end of every tour.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Feb 25 at 2018 6:27 PM

2018-02-25T18:27:38-05:00

There is no correct answer to this question. It all depends on a units mission on any particular day irregardless of what service they are in. I will say that anyone who routinely works 12 hour days in normal day-to-day operations really needs to look into time management. Sure it's necessary during surge operations, but shouldn't be the norm. I've actually counseled people under me on this exact subject. IMO anyone who stresses over the hours worked probably shouldn't be in the military. Heck I've flown 24 hour missions, what was I supposed to do land somewhere after 8-12 hours and continue on later? The concept of only working a certain number of hours just doesn't factor into the military, be it Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines or Air Force. A competent commander will be well aware of the schedules of his/her troops and provide adequate rest periods.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2018 6:33 PM

2018-02-25T18:33:48-05:00

All services are 24/7, being there even when not needed is longer days.

Response by A1C Samuel Leggett made Feb 25 at 2018 9:02 PM

2018-02-25T21:02:47-05:00

If you consider daily PT and other non-career field activities as "required", then yes the Army works longer hours. Once I was out of BMTS, I never did PT again. I did perform base cleanup duties once, but then I was not required to report to my duty position that day either. So I only did my eight hours for the day. Back to my private dorm room, and steak and lobster dinner ;)

Response by CPO Donald Crisp made Feb 27 at 2018 6:59 PM

2018-02-27T18:59:05-05:00

Sorry, you're not signing up for a 9 to 5 job. In every branch there are certain rates/MOS jobs that require more time and dedication to perform.

Response by CDR Don Wicklund made Feb 27 at 2018 8:41 PM

2018-02-27T20:41:40-05:00

Join the Air Force Medical. No field duty and the hours are tolerable. Spent 25 years Navy Medical as enlisted and an officer. Retired and worked for Humana Military and oversaw both Air Force and Army medical facilities.

Response by SrA Edwin Taylor made Feb 28 at 2018 6:34 AM

2018-02-28T06:34:38-05:00

I worked in IRAN shop on the F-117 for a year 1991 to 1992 and then went back to being a F-16 Crew Chief from 1992 until 1996. Spent my last year in, after I was hurt, in the Base Command Control. When I worked the F-117 back shop I worked 12 hour shifts. When I was state side on the F-16 we had some 12 hour days but mostly 9 hour days. When I was stationed oversees, in Japan, on the F-16, we worked at least 12 hours a day and many weekends. And chow was hauling ass to the flight line chow hall piled in a truck. Get in line. Get it to go. Try to eat in the back of the expediter truck as it hauls ass back to drop you off at your spot. After I was hurt and no longer could work on the flight line, my role in the Base Command Control was 8 hour days unless we were in an exercise, then it was 12 hours.The rule was you could not touch the aircraft after 12 hours on duty due to fatigue. But I will tell you, especially if you deploy and if it is a real world deployment, you will be hands on for many more hours than 12. You do what you need to do to keep the mission going. Unless you're in a base personnel management role, you're likely to be "at work" for more than 8 hours a day.

Response by MSgt Richard Randall made Feb 28 at 2018 6:31 PM

2018-02-28T18:31:14-05:00

As others have said, it all depends on your MOS or AFSC.

In the ICBM maintenance world at Minot AFB, ND, at least in the 70s and 80s, for EMT/CCT types the shifts were as follows:

Day 1: 0600 show – 0730 go. That means you showed up at your duty station, got your vehicle (usually a big-ass 5-ton maintenance van) equipment, tech data, spare parts, keys, codes, weapons (if required) briefing, safety, travel and tech briefing. You and your teammate plus an armed security escort would leave the base and drive an hour or two to the first missile site. You had a 16 hour timeline with a 2 hour extension granted by the DCM (an O-6) before you had to enter mandatory crew rest.
Day 2: 1200 show – 1330 go. – repeat above
Day 3: 1800 show – 1930 go. – repeat above
Day 4: 0000 show – 0130 go. – repeat above, however this was usually a RED-X off alert only standby. (yeah, right)

The kicker was if you completed the maintenance task at one site the Wing Job Control section (the folks who kept track of you and everyone else in the field) would more than likely divert you to another site. Keep in mind, the missile field were spread over 8,000 square miles in northwest North Dakota.

If you were lucky you got 2 full days off without someone screwing with you.

You would usually pull three shift rotations before you were given a “shop” week. That’s when you caught up with training, commander’s call, open ranks, additional duties and all that other stuff.
If you were in the field and busted your timeline you’d have to RON at the Launch Control Facility (now called the MAF) where you were supposedly given 8 hours of uninterrupted rest. Once you came out of crew rest you were either sent to another site for maintenance or allowed to return to base. If you did return to base you were to be given 12 hours of uninterrupted crew rest. There were times where rules didn’t apply. During one week in October 1973 we spent almost 4 straight days in the field.

The shop chiefs and squadron did try to take it easy during holidays but technically we were 24x7x365.

Again, because it was North Dakota, working the warmer months weren’t bad but the winter work could be a bit “challenging.”

I have no idea what shifts maintenance folks are working now.
Lunch breaks? Uh, huh.

Response by Sgt Bob Leonard made Mar 5 at 2018 4:25 AM

2018-03-05T04:25:46-05:00

Short answer: Every one of the Uniformed Services is obliged to be available for duty 24/7.

Response by MSG Charles Turner made Mar 10 at 2018 2:06 PM

2018-03-10T14:06:04-05:00

Sir.

Having never served in the Air Force, I cannot reply. However, having served in the Army both in Combat Arms, Combat Support and Combat Service Support, Soldiers serve different hours doing things of different importance levels. ALL Are IMPORTANT! So I image, just like the ARMY that AIR FORCE service members have some that work LONGER DAYS and some that work SHORTER DAYS! Now to compare Apples to Apples.. I think it is probably a Toss UP. I have instructed Air Force Personnel in my Military Field as well as had the pleasure to work with them. The days were VERY Similar. Thus I am assuming that is the case in the Medical Field. My daughter, a 15 year Soldier, is now a Nurse but still in the Veterinarian Corps. The Navy and Air Force Personnel she works with have / had similar hours.

Of course this just my experience and my opinion.

~ ole Sarge~

Response by PFC Robert Shadwick made Mar 11 at 2018 8:19 AM

2018-03-11T08:19:59-04:00

When I was in the Army I was in a trigger unit for airborne operations.Company lPT every work day. Then pack cargo chute, i also drove a 2 1/2 6×6 and a 5 ton tractor trailer for our platoon. I ment it they did night drops or mass equipment drop it was me out on the dropzone to pick up the chutes and the aluminum platform that were used to rig the equipment to. 3 or 4 days a week it was 6 am to 5pm. The other days including weekends I was at one dropzone or another at ft.brag either driving truck or a 10 ton forklift All night long or late in the day. I put in 14-16 a day to accomplish the mission.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 9:19 AM

2018-03-12T09:19:42-04:00

If you want the most ass time go air force but non maintenance, not Cop shop or any of the combat related jobs either. Pick non flight medical, mpf, finance etc... maybe historian or public affairs.

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Mar 12 at 2018 9:32 AM

2018-03-12T09:32:23-04:00

I was stationed in an Aviation unit in the 10th Mountain Division in the 80's. The crews on the flight line worked long hours, more so if there was some sort of FTX or similar on the horizon. The job has got to get done and work generally happens until it gets done. That may mean working Saturdays. When I was in the 2 ID in Korea, we always worked 1/2 Saturday as part of our normal work week.

In retrospect I am happy I went into the military at a young age. It completely changed me, but be prepared to work, and work hard.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 12 at 2018 11:12 AM

2018-03-12T11:12:05-04:00

Many people in and out of the military feel the military is underpaid for their work, whether it be hours on the job, combat, or behind a desk in the USA. It depends on the situation and terrain - depending on the mission and amount of time/aka work it takes to accomplish you may be day-on-stay-on, or out the door at 1630. Just be prepared to work some long hours w/o OT pay when needed. You often get a sense of accomplishment no amount of salary could equal.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Mar 12 at 2018 11:29 AM

2018-03-12T11:29:32-04:00

Everyone works longer days than the Air Force.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 11:55 AM

2018-03-12T11:55:26-04:00

All branches are 24/7/365 for the duration of your obligated service.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Mar 12 at 2018 3:05 PM

2018-03-12T15:05:34-04:00

This all depends upon the leadership of the unit. If something is broke that is mission critical, the unit will work until it is fixed. Frankly, and I am not blaming you for trying to get info, but if someone is looking for "normal" hours, you should probably look at a civilian job.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 3:51 PM

2018-03-12T15:51:59-04:00

My bank works longer hours than the Air Force.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 13 at 2018 2:50 AM

2018-03-13T02:50:57-04:00

The Air Force treats its people much better than the Army does.

Response by LTC Ronald Stephens made Mar 23 at 2018 12:54 PM

2018-03-23T12:54:26-04:00

Offhand I'd say it depends on the circumstances. In VN I experienced a "day" that was 56 hours long.

Response by PO3 Scot Fahey made Mar 27 at 2018 9:05 PM

2018-03-27T21:05:49-04:00

eight hour shifts, 2 days, 2 mids, 2 eve, 80 hours off. at the comm stations for USN . at sea the hours are worse

Response by SSG Michael Freeman made Mar 29 at 2018 11:45 PM

2018-03-29T23:45:09-04:00

Most definitely, Ive had plenty of time workin with AF and its like workin with boyscouts with military ties...they dont even use ranks, or might even use first names while working..it was a disgrace..

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Apr 2 at 2018 2:57 AM

2018-04-02T02:57:59-04:00

Ever been thru an aircraft mishap situation? The crew chief (note spelling of "chief") has to first turn in his tool box after it has been inventoried, then turn in all his Aircraft forms for the past six months to account for all maintenance done, check for all compeleted actions by other specialists on their work order forms, appear before the Chief of Maintenance, with his NCOIC and Squadron Commander. This process lasts about eight more than when said crew chief started his shift four hours before the aircraft crew show time. It doesn't end for him until the Chief of Maintenance says he is releaved. But then said crew chief has to write a report of everything he has done for the past twenty four hours. Now this is just for an aircraft mishap. The average crew chief work day begins four hours before thr crew show time. If he's luck and the aircraft is just a local training mission. Then he be through his duty day in 8 hours. If it's a ten hour over water flight, then he's either going with the aircraft, or turning it over to another crew chief for its return to station. This is a normal duty day in USAF. I might have gotten a bit long winded here.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2018 3:03 AM

2018-04-02T03:03:56-04:00

I think it's MOS and Mission dependent primarily on when you get out. I've heard of guys getting out at 1500 and guys getting out at 1900. Sometimes you're doing training and you don't come back for days at a time. There's no universal answer I'm afraid. You might have accomplished the days mission by 1400 but there's always more to do. Additional training, certifications, cleaning, maintenance, etc.

Response by SFC Joseph Murphy made Apr 6 at 2018 10:57 PM

2018-04-06T22:57:09-04:00

Does that include doing PT? If so that’s not bad. Biggest thing is leadership and time management. At all levels of flying and maintenance Operational Rates. To much productivity time is lost at all levels and that compounds into long days. To much wasted time.

Response by MSG Don Burt made Apr 10 at 2018 2:43 PM

2018-04-10T14:43:31-04:00

When you join the Military, whatever the Branch, your life as you knew it is totally changed. You are always on call 24/7 no matter if you're a cook, clerk, medic, etc. and it really doesn't make any difference what your hours are and I'm a little bewildered why people seem to think that your tour in the Service is a 9 to 5 job. It's not, nor should it be. Your primary function no matter your MOS is to kill the enemy and defend this country, Period!

Response by SMSgt Tom Burns made Apr 10 at 2018 8:44 PM

2018-04-10T20:44:09-04:00

Depends a lot on where stationed and what your job is.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2018 9:54 PM

2018-04-10T21:54:35-04:00

It depends on the unit and mission. Sometimes if you have to get ready for a maintenance phase it can be long hours. Or maybe your supporting an Infantry unit going to the field. As a jr enlisted you can expect longer hours initially cause you have a big learning curve. After a while you will know the unit tempo and will have a much more stable family like.

Response by 1SG Jesse Perez made Apr 13 at 2018 1:06 AM

2018-04-13T01:06:57-04:00

So this is between Air Force and Army Aviation?

Response by SMSgt Ruth Steele Vogel made Apr 15 at 2018 9:59 PM

2018-04-15T21:59:34-04:00

Who actually asked the question? Was it a great way to show our solidarity? I don’t think so. Why put time and effort into something that obviously could pull us apart. We respect appreciate and fight for a common cause. We could not serve this country any other way! We are different but depend on our brothers and sisters and I am proud of all our armed forces! Aim High!

Response by SPC Francisco Contreras made Apr 17 at 2018 3:33 PM

2018-04-17T15:33:34-04:00

I was Infantry and was in the field 50% of my time of service!!! We work the longest hours and on top of that we pulled CQ in the barracks once we came back from the field!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 5:26 PM

2018-05-03T17:26:55-04:00

As a 15T I can assure you that you will know everything there is to know about duty day extensions and the approval authority for each one. At the end of the day you will make mission regardless of the circumstance and you will take pride in that because it’s your aircraft. I have spent many days starting maintenance at 0600 and having a pizza brought to the hanger to finish my work with a select group of guys at 2100 that night and none of us felt we got a raw deal out of it. Also for the family aspect keep in mind that a lot of the flying we do as army aviators is at night so you will spend quite a few days going in at 1400 to end your day at 0200 just for nvg training flights and light maintenance. Me personally I wouldn’t trade it for the world! Ask your recruiter about street to seat before signing the dotted line make him work for it!

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made May 14 at 2018 8:07 AM

2018-05-14T08:07:13-04:00

Yes. No. Maybe. All of DOD service people work until the situation is appropriate to the mission. As said in another post, medical is normally more stable, but any sector is going to run into those situations where extraordinary effort is necessary.

Response by SGT Steve Burczyk made May 17 at 2018 11:07 AM

2018-05-17T11:07:50-04:00

Absolutely, the Army works longer days than the Air Force. Army Recruiter's are required to work Saturdays now because Recruiting Command are 80,000 Soldiers short, yet the Air Force Recruiter's are at the Beach. I will give you my advice unless you want to be stuck on CQ, CQ'runner, and Mess Hall Headcount Duties, and not the mention ALL of the Air Force's Facilities are much more modern than any Army facility's It's harder to make rank in the Air Force than the Army, but sometimes living a better lifestyle and more quality time with your family can make all the difference in the world. All branch's of the military pay the same rate, do yourself a favor "Aim High & Go Air Force". Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.

Response by MSgt J D McKee made May 21 at 2018 10:39 AM

2018-05-21T10:39:50-04:00

I had a break in service, went back in after a year. Crosstrained from Security to the Fire Department. Got an assignment right from the recruiter to the Fire Dept. School at Chanute (Yrrch!!), then to Eglin AFB Fl. Really proud of that assignment, right up until the first day of tech school when I found out the fire department schedule--24 hours on, 24 hours off, and something called a Kelly day after several of those 24 on 24 off shifts.

Problem was, legit calls could keep you working the whole 24 hours, then you'd want to sleep the morning of the 24 off. Non-legit things like night exercises, or having a boss who was an asshole, pretty much the same thing, could really mess you up. They could pull your Kelly day over anything or nothing. Don't like someone's radio discipline? Hold "radio classes" on you Kelly day. My wife of the time was from another country, couldn't drive, wouldn't learn. Was really good at bitching, though. Ruined my life for a number of years. At least, she could speak English, hell, she WAS English, god knows what its like for people who can't do that either., or are just stunned by the cultural difference.

Point is, know what specifically you are getting into. I thought I knew what the USAF was like, I was a SSgt with 6 years in when I got out. No way good way to check really, there was no google and if recruiters aren't intentional liars, they often just don't know, either. Pretty sure mine didn't.

Yeah, I just fucked up. But easy to do.

And then there is the situation similar to the one you mentioned--one base I was at, the Wing Commander would work late every day. The Base Commander wouldn't leave until his boss did. The Chief Security Police (multiple different while I was there) most of them would watch the windows of his boss, the base commander, and not leave until the lights went out.

Well, fuck. So did everyone else, right down to Airmen. I'm only talking about Back Office people here, not those in a normal SP job.

I didn't. Probably hurt my career. Got lectured when I was a MSgt by a SMSgt whom I didn't work for about my lack of devotion because I was never there, and by never there he meant I left at 1630 when I got off instead of a couple hours later. Asked him how his sex life was, told him mine was fine, thanks. Made a bad enemy. Specially after he found his wife was boning the base. Schadenfreude, anyone?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2018 1:00 PM

2018-05-21T13:00:03-04:00

It depends on your unit.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made May 26 at 2018 9:32 PM

2018-05-26T21:32:35-04:00

I'm pretty sure the Army and Air Force both work the standard 24 hour day. I had heard that the Marines were thinking about going to a 26.5 hour day but I think that is in the early planning stage.

Response by Sgt Lester Mount made Jun 9 at 2018 9:15 AM

2018-06-09T09:15:14-04:00

when did the air force start working?

Response by SSgt Paul Mimeault made Jun 9 at 2018 12:55 PM

2018-06-09T12:55:45-04:00

I’m Air Force. I’m sorry. I just can’t stop myself....

Because it takes you longer??? Lol

I’m sorry...
SSgt Mimeault

Response by CPO Lou Oliver made Jun 9 at 2018 3:34 PM

2018-06-09T15:34:02-04:00

We always joke about the AF being bus drivers with union jobs, however even the AF gets stuck with odd hours. In fact, any job connected to the military, be it a civilian one or not, can get you forced overtime and/or deployment. Therefore, I suggest that if you are looking into a career you also check out the promotional opportunities. After all is said and done, you do not want to be in the lower tier forever.

Response by SSG Ray Elliott made Jun 10 at 2018 12:26 AM

2018-06-10T00:26:06-04:00

It all depends on your particular unit, what challenges and deadlines they are facing at the time. It isn't branch specific. If you're an aviation Mechanic and you have a lot of planes down you may have to put in long hours to get things up and going again. When things are working well, and maintenance is caught up you'll be rewarded with shorter days. If you're an Army Corpsman getting ready to deploy you may be putting in long hours inventorying and packing gear, meds, etc. to deploy. The military like any other job, is going to have times when you have to put in extra hours to get the job done on time, and there may be times when things are going smoothly and you can have more down time.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2018 10:28 AM

2018-06-13T10:28:20-04:00

It all depends on the mission at hand. We usually work until the mission or Work is done.

Response by SGT Ron Murphy made Jun 13 at 2018 11:37 PM

2018-06-13T23:37:29-04:00

All services have their Long days and short days.
The correct answer is "Depends".
You will work long hours when you are deployed, preparing for inspection, etc.
But then there will be days when you will only work a "half day" or it will be a local "training holiday" that you can tie into a weekend.
Speaking of training. "The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in war." I think General George Patton said that.

Response by Capt Jose R made Jun 24 at 2018 9:29 AM

2018-06-24T09:29:44-04:00

I can't answer for the Army, but I can say that Air Force aircraft maintenance personnel work long hours on the flight line all times of the day. At my former base, the flight line folks had their own dining facility and gym facilities so that they did not have to leave the flight line area. Inhaling JP-8/JET-A fumes all day and gradually losing your hearing by being close to engines that are louder than rock concerts is common. Even if they put in a 8-5 day, the potential for future hearing loss and whatever long term impact JP-8 , aircraft paint, and other chemicals that those aircraft use have on the body definitely take their toll.

I would imagine that Army Aviation isn't much different. Inter-service rivalry won't make the impact of working with chemicals , long hours, and loud noise any less.

Note that I've never worked on the flight line as a Air Force maintainer, but have friends who shared their experiences.

Response by SGT Jason Yago made Jun 28 at 2018 10:49 PM

2018-06-28T22:49:35-04:00

Well for one it’s I before E except after C CHIEF! And if you think he’s making his life SOUND more difficult than it is, when in all actuality he’s probably making it sound BETTER than is in real life! You come off like some little punk. I’d say you should go the college route or McDonald’s. Clearly haven’t really ever worked in your life or been around the military/police/fire growing up no such thing as an 8 hour day you go till you get a chance to stop. Your the last medic I’d want working on me, or a crew chief on my bird! Lazy is as lazy does!

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Jul 2 at 2018 9:10 PM

2018-07-02T21:10:58-04:00

On the medical part if your are in Medac. It seems they have set hours and only work weekeds like having C.Q. . Now having been A Medic in only line units we work the same as every one elce. Pluse the ais station duty's, And unit C.Q., As well as having to take and give extra med class's. So in the the long run it goes back to your unit and there Mission. Just know that when you put your name on the line and raised you hand expect. No set hours or any time off.

Response by Sgt Frank Staples made Jul 5 at 2018 11:55 PM

2018-07-05T23:55:08-04:00

OH, ABSOLUTELY! When I was in the Air Force I worked an eight hour shift and worked three on, two off, then four on and two off. I worked more when I was overseas but it's not like there was anything else to do in sunny Sondestrom, Greenland, where there was a woman behind every tree and there were no trees. And if you went exploring then as soon as you crested the first hill there was nothing but tundra...well, and musk oxen, wolves, etc.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 9 at 2018 11:02 AM

2018-07-09T11:02:56-04:00

Pretty much every service has its work schedules. In the army, your typical duty day begins at 0630 and runs to 1700. Some days start sooner than others. The 1700 COB is really more dependent on whether or not the work is finished for the day. Let's say you went to the range. You don't go home until all of the weapons have been cleaned and are accounted for inside the armsroom. If you get back from the range at 1600 or 1630, it's likely that you won't be going home until as late as 1900-2000. If your vehicle is being worked on, you work until it's repaired and back on its line. If the company has a last minute detail that needs to be finished before the end of day, you do that. If the ops meeting ran long, you won't be released until the 1SG comes out and releases the platoons. This is the nature of the beast. It sucks, but it only gets worse as rank increases. A team leader gets in about an hour before 1st formation, so they can do barracks inspections. The squad leaders need to ensure that their team leaders do their jobs and usually work later taking care of paperwork. Both team leaders and squad leaders have to spend free time writing counseling statements and dealing with discipline issues. PSGs deal with even more of the same, plus need to attend ops meetings and plan training events with the platoon and company leadership. All of these things add up until you are left with little free time.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jul 9 at 2018 11:44 AM

2018-07-09T11:44:36-04:00

Yes.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jul 9 at 2018 11:45 AM

2018-07-09T11:45:28-04:00

Best job in the world!

Response by LTC Donell Kelly made Jul 28 at 2018 3:28 AM

2018-07-28T03:28:39-04:00

My best guess, based on experience, is that your “work day” changes with your unit’s mission & optempo. If you’re downrange & in the middle of “stuff” your unit has to do, you’re pretty much on duty until the job is done &/or your relief gets there. If you’re in a billet where your unit didn’t have a current Active Duty support role, you may be lucky enough to have fairly predictable hours. Bottom line, the work day must go on until all you can do that day, that’s essential for the coms & for the benefit of your soldiers is done. If you’re not willin.g to do that, then you really don’t need to be in the military.

Response by SGT Amy Tribou made Jul 30 at 2018 2:59 PM

2018-07-30T14:59:09-04:00

Some branches have way more field time. Some tend to have more office time or hospital hours, that's a maybe there. Each branch has their own sacrifices pertaining to their branch. So, I would say it depends. Air force does tend to have things more lax, while Army and marines tend to be ass deep in the muck. This has been my experience only. It depends on the MOS you choose as well. I was a 68W aka medic. Field and shortly hospital. Hospital had better hours, but I would take field over hospital 10x over, and I'm a girl, who was Army 82D. So, that's my own experience. It really is each branches individual jobs and the branch and job you choose. And. The base you end up going.

Response by Capt Seavy Barefoot made Aug 6 at 2018 10:41 PM

2018-08-06T22:41:00-04:00

I don't know that answer, but as a USAF Aviator I was constantly deployed rarely seeing my family and averaged way more than 40 hours a week. Twice in my career I was grounded for over flying., thus exceeding the safe limits . This is not an airline job. Also today its roughly 11 years before your initial commitment is up, that's a long time. I will add this fact. Everyone is trying to get promoted, it is a dog eat dog environment. You would be expected to get an advanced degree, complete all military education both in correspondence and in residence., most of that being on your own time. It is difficult to do and have a successful marriage and family .Having spent 12 years of my life doing this, if I had it to do over I would stay a civilian. I do not regret serving my country and would do it again.

Response by Capt Seavy Barefoot made Aug 6 at 2018 10:47 PM

2018-08-06T22:47:43-04:00

I can say in the USAF I was constantly deployed, worked way more than 40 hrs per week. and spent many many months away from family and friends. Every officer is expected to obtain a Graduate degree, and complete all military schools, SOS, Air Command and Staff, etc in order to be promoted past Major. After 12 years I realized that serving my country was important but did not define me. The initial commitment for a pilot today is in the neighborhood of 10 years. Think long and hard. If you can do what it takes to advance in the Military you can do it anywhere. The divorce rate on deployed military personnel is high, just saying.

Response by SSG Michael Montoya made Aug 12 at 2018 7:38 PM

2018-08-12T19:38:49-04:00

Aviation....regular day starts at 630 PT....although there are sometimes when you forgo that to get started on working on an aircraft such as during a phased maintenance event, but could be just as simple as to continuing to try to get an aircraft up to Fully Mission Capable after it was left in an other than FMC condition. There are days when work was until 7, but that wasn't a regular occurrence.
There are many variations on a typical aviation day....it all depends on whether you are in Maintenance Platoon/Company, Flight Company, what kind of unit, location of unit, shortage or surplus of personnel in said units
Deployments, at the end, were always something that I enjoyed as far as hours because I knew I would only work 12 hours since we pull 24 hours operations and things were split between a day and night shift. Even when I was doing peace keeping deployments such as Kosovo and Bosnia when we didn't do 24 hour ops I don't remember doing more than 12 hours of duty.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Sep 1 at 2018 11:24 PM

2018-09-01T23:24:43-04:00

This is all subjective. I have heard rumors of all sorts of shenanigans, like the air force does not fly at night; however i do not believe any of it to be true. I believe it is all matter of how the command(s) set up the duty roster, and how well you are manned.

In the Navy, at the squadron level (organizational level) we had three shifts with days and nights covering most of the flight ops, and graves handling most of the actual maintenance. Once deployed shipboard we ran a flight ops crew with 12 hour shifts (sometimes longer), and a graves shift for moving aircraft, and doing other non flight ops related.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 2 at 2018 1:52 PM

2018-09-02T13:52:59-04:00

Gary Henson Yes, the average Army person works longer than the average Air Force person in my experience and Army personnel are used for many more jobs than Airmen. There are situations and units where this general rule does not hold true. When in deployment environments in a mixed unit or joint task force this can cause some serious problems until the culture of the new task force is established.
The bottom line is the culture of the service and what is expectation of the job role.
As an example:
Typically the Army expects you to be a technician and soldier, basic functions of a soldier are assumed in your training: guard duty, security are examples.
Airmen do get trained in these responsibilities but they have Security Forces for the formal protection role.
Being married to someone in the military means the spouse must be independent in most life functions, but chooses to be interdependent when you both available. That is what makes a great military married couple.

Response by SP5 Dennis Dorsey made Sep 3 at 2018 11:48 AM

2018-09-03T11:48:44-04:00

when I signed up it was 24/7/365 until your enlistment was up. You took the time off as you could get it. I was overseas most of the time. In Germany, we worked 8 - 12 hour days, depending on work load with week-ends off. Viet Nam, not so much.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2018 12:36 AM

2018-09-12T00:36:36-04:00

Going from army to air force, i worked longer in the army. We had one shift, and staying extra late to fly NVGs during an amber alert or because some shitbag pilot needed his eval for the third failed attempt that day. In the air force there are two shifts, max of 12 hours then back to the hotel room haaa ha! Best choice ever made. It is actually even with hard work, but longer hours in the army so far. No complaints with either one.

Response by SGM Thomas Adderley made Sep 14 at 2018 3:21 PM

2018-09-14T15:21:04-04:00

What the h___ kind of question is that? You get up and begin your day at "Reveille" and end your day when it is over. No clock watching, no hurrying to get home for supper, or putting the kids to bed; your day is done when the mission for the day is complete regardless of your MOS, type of unit, or deployment status.

This concern with other units starting and or ending their day earlier or latter is not a matter of concern. My concern is the mission and its accomplishment; I see nothing wrong with giving time off if we finished early but the mission must have been done right.

Response by SSgt Russell Stevens made Dec 26 at 2018 10:30 PM

2018-12-26T22:30:14-05:00

No, they don't. In the years I was in the Air Force I spent more than half on twelve hour shift, no days off for months at a time. The Army may try to tell you they work longer hours, but that's only when someone is shooting at them. My particular job was 24 hours a day every day of the year, normally only two shifts. When we put the Army on the aircraft to deploy or jump they never realized we were there days before they were.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Apr 25 at 2019 10:17 PM

2019-04-25T22:17:31-04:00

Sailor at sea in high latitudes work the longest days. Hours are added to the work day when time zones are passed, and hours are taken away from sleep going the other way.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2019 9:18 AM

2019-08-26T09:18:46-04:00

Depends on the MOS, depends on the leadership, depends on the efficiency of the unit during the work day.

Response by Col Casey "Radio" G. made Feb 15 at 2020 7:28 PM

2020-02-15T19:28:21-05:00

Air Force probably doesn't work Longer, but I'll put my money on Smarter! ;-)

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Feb 15 at 2020 8:33 PM

2020-02-15T20:33:05-05:00

This really all depends on the unit and job. I have been mx and in some shops leaving early meant leaving on time. Other sections in the same squadron left on the dot at changeover. Now in a different field again the same rule applies. One base has you coming in on your off days to do training while others can afford to do so on shift. Then you will also get the hard core answer of "You are always on duty. 24/7 you are in the military and don't ever get off the clock." I do agree with Maj Bell about your spouse needing to be independent or at very least understanding. It is a tricky balance of work/duty and family. But I would not recommend necessarily basing your career decision on who works the most or not. You can work less hours and hate your job and those hours will drag on forever or you can really enjoy your job and work longer hours but the passion you have for your work will make it fly by. As for someone trying to make their life sound hard....say it ain't so. It is really easy to puff up what we do without lying about it but making it sound more extravagant than probably really is. You gotta learn to read between the lines which it looks like you are learning to do well. Good luck with your decision making.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2020 10:26 AM

2020-04-09T10:26:42-04:00

Twleve hour ahifts aren't uncommon. Air Force is alot nicer to their troops than army, but in the air force, you run 100% off of your own motivation in regards to fitness. Air force also strongly pushes, almost forces you to do college of some sort. There's alot of pros and cons to both branches, but job specializing is guaranteed in the air force, but not as much for other branches. Make sure you make a very well informed decision, because it's a bitch to switch branches.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2020 10:27 AM

2020-04-09T10:27:59-04:00

At my last base, I worked almost constant 12s, but now I am at a base that's slower, and my new units lets out at 8 hrs at the latest.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 14 at 2021 5:32 PM

2021-03-14T17:32:03-04:00

Yes