How do I get good at my job?! How will I ever be useful to the Air Force?

Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 17:00:30 -0400

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.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jul 8 at 2020 5:19 PM

LTC John Mohor — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 17:19:25 -0400

Be patient, ask questions, trust in your NCOs they’ll make sure it passes a rigorous inspection. In the Airborne community we trust the reserve riggers sometimes even more because they work together longer packing parachutes. Don’t sweat the small stuff! You have plenty to learn and plenty of great Airmen to help mentor you in your new role after training! Thanks for serving and always strive to do your best!

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 8 at 2020 5:32 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 17:32:02 -0400

Don’t try to overthink the process. Rely on your NCOs and leadership. Sounds like you are eager and ready to learn. Keep that enthusiasm and you’ll be just fine

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2020 6:01 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 18:01:56 -0400

Firstly, you will have supervision at your reserve unit who will guide you. You won't be going solo. Secondly, read, read, read at your leisure as much information as you can that is related to your career field and that is proper for you to have at home (i.e. not classified, FOUO, etc.) Let your supervisor know what documents you want to read at home. I've learned so much just from reading manuals. etc. at home. Thirdly, perhaps Air Force reservists have the option of additional drilling for retirement points only but no pay. You need to be on some type of official orders when you do any type of duty for the Air Force to "cover you" in every way and for you to get proper credit on your personnel record/file.. Also, maybe there are short term active duty stints available to assist at your unit? I am only letting you know of a couple of the things that were available at times in the Coast Guard during the time period that I supervised some of the reservists assigned to my unit. I don't know if the Air Force Reserve replicates this but it won't hurt to ask. If nothing else, right from the start they will realize that you are taking your reserve duty seriously and really care about producing quality craftsmanship. Thank you for being one of the U.S. military personnel that really cares about getting things done right and contributing positively to the mission.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jul 8 at 2020 6:13 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 18:13:10 -0400

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.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2020 6:36 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 18:36:36 -0400

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.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2020 7:17 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 19:17:33 -0400

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.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 9 at 2020 10:04 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 10:04:22 -0400

If you are in a squadron with C aircraft, find some pilots that work for air lines in civilian job. Had a friend who was a First Officer for Delta and flew the first 10 days of the month between US and Germany. That all the hours he was allowed to fly. Went to his USAF reserve outfit and flew C141s world wide for rest of month. They cannot fly by themselves, whole crew needed.. So maybe you could get some flights either paid or points only. I not sure how it all works, but I think they do as the airlines do and travel so far turn the plane over to another crew and get a plane and return. That how it was when I flew on Army trips. A crew chief says he only saw "his" plane 3 or 4 times a years. I first noted this when I was on a plane from an active MAW, mighta been AMW not remember if before or after reorganization, and a Reserve crew.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2020 11:06 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 11:06:30 -0400

Not sure how it is today or in the air force but the army used to require reservist to have a plan in place and on file so when you as a single parent etc got deployed there was some one on file who could take care of those dependents while that service members where deployed.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Jul 10 at 2020 1:59 PM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 13:59:15 -0400

keep trying to do your best in school and then when you go back to your unit try harder to learn and do