Posted on Jan 26, 2015
Nervous about first duty station; how can I be the best I can be?
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I have just arrived at my first duty station. I have been assigned to the 88th security forces squadron. I am just about to start my training. I am a bit nervous because I want to be the best I can be, but am a bit unsure of myself because I feel that the technical training after basic didn't really give me the confidence I was hoping for. Any advice?
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Duty
Duty
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 24
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Don't be worried about not having confidence coming out of technical school, I think that most recent technical school graduates (even myself only 5 years ago), don't feel really prepared for their job when they first get to the first duty station. My big advice to you would be to learn as much as you can during your orientation time, find out what services you might think you could need or want and write all of it down. Then maybe a couple of days after all of your orientation is complete (including the First Term Airman Course FTAC), take some time and go to a quiet place and think about some goals you want to accomplish over the short, medium, and long term. Those goals should be goals that you can track (more specifically S.M.A.R.T. goals). If you do that and start attempting to achieve some of those goals, you will undoubtedly begin to shine. Many folks who are new to service don't think to plan and outline goals and if you do that I promise you, you will set the bar for your peers. You may not want to stick around for 20 years and that is fine, the point is to be better than you were when you joined. Have an outstanding day!
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SrA (Join to see)
Thank Ssgt! I appreciate the advice! I deffinently am goal orientated. So setting goals is the way I live my life. There is just so much I can do with my AFSC, I don't know where to begin. Once I get on the gate and start working, I'm going to narrow down some thing's I really enjoy about the job. Then make those my goals. I want to take all the training I can. Get as many certifications as possible. So I am well rounded in my job.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Absolutely! Those are outstanding ideas. It does not hurt to find someone to mentor you once you get some time in the Squadron and you see who is leading and who seems to have their head on straight and they can help you show you what Security Forces has to offer you. A big thing I would say (and this is just me personally) is start working on your CCAF, if you don't have any college credit, once you get past all of your upgrade training and your chain of command allows you to do it. That way if you decide to stay in for 20 years when you are going up for any MSgt board, you can have that checked off, if you decide to get out at 4 or 6 years then you can use those credits towards knocking out some of the basic requirements for a bachelor's degree. In any case, you seem like you are going to do well in our Air Force, I wish you the best of luck!
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MSgt Copeland is right. It took me a while to figure it out, but he sums it up nicely. That's also the way I've been told to get BTZ. Keep your positive attitude, it's tough, but you will make it.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland is providing you a great path to follow. When you choose who you will learn from look for the most squared away individual that is good at a variety of jobs and has a low key demeanor, these types often prove to be the best teachers. If you pick a sharp guy with a big mouth chances are he will mess with you big time. Make yourself an asset to your unit, show pride in your work and continue your education. Also maintain a positive attitude even in the face of adversity. Good luck and enjoy the opportunities of a new beginning.
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Everything everybody else said is true. Be on time, be squared away in uniform, do what is asked when it is asked, and be motivated.
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