Posted on Jul 8, 2020
How do I get good at my job?! How will I ever be useful to the Air Force?
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I'm a reservist airman currently in tech school to become a crew chief. Tech school is going well and I'm learning a lot. I'm at the top of my class in the book work and hands-on work. But my tech school is almost over and I still know so little! I'm meeting all of my instructor's goals, but I know I would be lost if I was put on the flightline today!
TOs, forms, flight controls, engines, hydraulics, electrical, BPO/PRs, TRs, and on and on- There's so much to know!
So what happens when I get home and only train 1 weekend a month?!
How does any traditional reservist or guardsman with a highly technical job like this ever get proficient at their job?!
I didn't join to be mediocre at my job. I want to be an asset and actually serve this country.
Obviously guardsmen and reservists eventually get good at their jobs. I'm asking how in the world do they do it?
Yes, I have 30 days of OJT when I get home, but that would still barely make a dent.
And no, I have no desire to get an active reserve slot.
TOs, forms, flight controls, engines, hydraulics, electrical, BPO/PRs, TRs, and on and on- There's so much to know!
So what happens when I get home and only train 1 weekend a month?!
How does any traditional reservist or guardsman with a highly technical job like this ever get proficient at their job?!
I didn't join to be mediocre at my job. I want to be an asset and actually serve this country.
Obviously guardsmen and reservists eventually get good at their jobs. I'm asking how in the world do they do it?
Yes, I have 30 days of OJT when I get home, but that would still barely make a dent.
And no, I have no desire to get an active reserve slot.
Reserves
Crew Chief
Maintainer
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 9
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Patience young Padawan! Even Yoda didn't become a Master Jedi overnight.
I retired from my career field after 20 years and I was STILL learning new things. I've been in EMS for over eight years since retiring and I learn something new every single shift that makes me a better provider. It's the nature of the beast in what we do. Judging from your comments here, I'd say you are well on your way down the correct track. Learn what you can, from whom you can, as often as you can. Learn to apply the knowledge in an efficient manner; learn your limitations and work to improve them. BTW, that skill is learned over time as well! It might not be feasible but look into active duty slots if any become available. The best way I know to get really good at something is to DO it regularly and consistently.
I retired from my career field after 20 years and I was STILL learning new things. I've been in EMS for over eight years since retiring and I learn something new every single shift that makes me a better provider. It's the nature of the beast in what we do. Judging from your comments here, I'd say you are well on your way down the correct track. Learn what you can, from whom you can, as often as you can. Learn to apply the knowledge in an efficient manner; learn your limitations and work to improve them. BTW, that skill is learned over time as well! It might not be feasible but look into active duty slots if any become available. The best way I know to get really good at something is to DO it regularly and consistently.
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I’m gonna be brutally honest here. In terms of proficiency that’s going to be solely up to how receptive you are to learning from those who are highly skilled. If you’re at a base that is primarily ran by active duty check in on your one weekend a month then tell your supervisor/direct leadership that you are going to work the line then talk to the expediter and tell them you want to learn. Being the active duty guy that looks down on the tradition reservists who opt to wander around the squadron instead of wanting to learn I would go out of my way to train traditional reservists on as much as I could in that time. It honestly just takes time, even in active duty 3 levels don’t get their 5 level till roughly a year after starting to work on airplanes and we don’t consider them proficient till around then. If you’re working cargo aircraft; C-5’s or C-17’s. I can give you a little more insight on those since I’ve been working 5’s for 7 years and both 5’s and 17’s for the past 3 1/2 years.
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You know this already if you’re in tech school. All enlisted career fields in the AF are delineated by the career development courses (CDCs) commensurate with your ability. You’ll graduate tech school as a 3-level (apprentice), and eventually transition throughout your career to 5-level (journeyman), 7-level (craftsman), and finally 9-level (superintendent). Advancing in job knowledge, ability, and rank are tied to passing those courses. If I remember correctly, once enrolled in CDCs, you have a year to complete the course. You will not be expected to perform at a superintendent level as an apprentice.
Listen to your NCOs and officer cadre. Study your CDCs. You’ll do fine.
Listen to your NCOs and officer cadre. Study your CDCs. You’ll do fine.
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