What is it like to be a 31PX Security Forces Officer?

SPC Kevin Cha — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 15:33:19 -0500

I am a former US Army Parachute Infantryman and about to graduate with a Bachelor's in Criminology/Criminal Justice. I am looking into becoming an Air Force Officer and interested in security forces. What is the process like to go from classroom to OTS to Security Forces? What do you like most about your job? What you do hate most about your job?

Response by TSgt David L. made Jan 2 at 2018 3:52 PM

TSgt David L. — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 15:52:03 -0500

Where were you at? My son is 11B at Ft Campbell. He is considering switching over to security forces when he ETSs. AF SF will be a good fit if you enjoy being abused now. Hahaha Life in the AF is quite a bit different than an infantry unit. We actually care about the individual, for the most part. Plus you can show them how to properly wear the beret! LMAO
I'm sure someone will be able to answer AF SF specific questions. The base you get makes a different as well. The 3 northern tier AF bases with Minuteman missiles have a additional mission which might utilize your 11B/C skills. Maybe an asset to the unit.
Good luck, Sir! LOL

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jan 3 at 2018 3:23 AM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 03:23:03 -0500

Yeah, see if you can get PRP qualified so you can work nuke bases, lol. You'll have a blast...not.

If you are going AF, you need to try and get a rated position. The 31P career field is small.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Hardy made Jan 10 at 2018 7:15 PM

Lt Col Timothy Hardy — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 19:15:36 -0500

Kevin, I am a retired Lt Col Security Forces Officer. I did six years enlisted in Security Police (the name didn't change to Security Forces until 1997) and had a 20 month break in service while I finished my college with a Criminal Justice degree and applied to OTS. I worked my first two years in Minuteman missile launch and then managed to get back in Security Police. As an enlisted member, I attended the SP academy and became a law enforcement specialist (the career field was divided between security and law enforcement at the time). When I moved back into the SP field as a 1LT, I attended the officer side of the SP academy. A year later I attended the Army's Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning. I was one of two USAF officers in the training company. The USAF didn't have their own Air Base Ground Defense Schools at the time so we used Army courses that taught the same skills the Air Force wanted. I progressed up through the ranks at the normal speed and was privileged to command two SF squadrons and an Expeditionary Support Squadron in the middle east. I served overseas in South Korea, Honduras, Africa, and Kuwait. The opportunity to develop leadership skills in SF is greater than most career fields in the USAF. As an SF officer you will lead more people than almost any other career field. If you decide to go that route, I wish you the very best. I had a most enjoyable and rewarding career and served with some of the finest people in the Air Force.