What is the process of selecting your AFSC as an Air National Guard officer?

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 00:55:03 -0400

I am currently enlisted in the Air National guard (3D0X2). I am attending college for BBA Management Information Systems. I will eventually want to become an officer. Are the jobs assigned to you or do you get to choose based on availability?

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Sep 6 at 2017 1:21 AM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 01:21:33 -0400

In the ANG, you'll have to have a slot available.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 6 at 2017 9:53 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 09:53:48 -0400

As a RC Airman, both, really. FIRST You will be assigned a AFSC based on the needs of the AF[1], influenced to some degree by your preferences. THEN you will need to find a unit, which either will or won't need that specialty.

At least on the Army side, it is not uncommon to find Officers taking slots that "require" a different branch or are coded "branch immaterial" in order to drill at a unit convenient to their home and/or to advance their career. Sometimes with a branch change, sometimes without.

As an anecdote, I am an Armor Officer in the USAR (since 2006, previously NG). The USAR has zero tanks. (There is actually one true Infantry BN, but NO Armor) Despite that, I should pin COL in a few months. Take away is that branch alignment isn't necessarily critical. Though it does make life easier.

[1] This "needs of the AF" will be "big picture", across the AF. MAYBE, if Air NG OCS, based on the needs of the state.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 6 at 2017 12:48 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:48:37 -0400

My information is based on the experiences of my two daughters dealing with the Army Guard, Air Guard, and Navy Reserve. As I understand it, most officer slots in the Air Guard are filled on a unit-vacancy process. An officer recruit would need to agree to serve in an AFSC and position that a specific Guard unit has an opening in. This might require you to be part of a unit that may not be near your home and work. You will need to talk with the Texas Air Guard leadership to determine where the officer openings are and what AFSC you will need to volunteer for. In Illinois where I live, the Army Guard has their own OCS. Candidates get paid E-5 while they are in OCS. Not sure what the Texas Guard may do.

I was an AF pilot. If you meet the physical requirements and pass the AFOQT with high enough scores, being a pilot or other officer aircrew is a great job. My associates in the Guard and Reserve were generally enthusiastic about their flying jobs. I don't know how it works today, but in the 1970s there were some Guard LTs who went from their state OCS to Pilot Training. If they completed the course, then they returned to their Guard unit and flew whatever type of aircraft that unit had. Not a bad deal, but the number of Guard slots may be limited.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 11:35 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:35:11 -0400

I can only speak to how I've seen my unit do it. When an officer position is open there will be some type of position vacancy announcement listing the job and the required qualifications. You will submit a package just like any other job. Most of our non rated Os are prior enlisted and highered from within. I see dsg officers get command moved to different sections so you may not end up in the area of choice.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2017 6:49 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 06:49:01 -0400

vacancy announcements post time to time and you apply. You're then competing against other candidates who also applied.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2017 9:56 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 21:56:02 -0400

Thank you all for your responses. I really appreciate it.