Security Forces
Security Forces
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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?
Posted in these groups: 
31PX: Security Forces
31PX: Security Forces
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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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.
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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.
If you are going AF, you need to try and get a rated position. The 31P career field is small.
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Lt Col Timothy Hardy
I beg to differ, Gregory. The 31P career field is one of the largest in the USAF.
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Capt Gregory Prickett
Lt Col Timothy Hardy - sir, as I'm sure you know, the ranking skycop is a one-star. For enlisted (3P0X1), sure, it's huge. But there is not near the opportunity for officer advancement as an SP officer (31PX) - how many full colonel slots are there in the field?
The best opportunity for advancement is to be a rated officer.
The best opportunity for advancement is to be a rated officer.
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Lt Col Timothy Hardy
Captain, I somewhat agree with you that a rated position is desirable but I don't know how old Kevin is - he may be too old to enter pilot training, may have disqualifying eyesight like me (I wear glasses), or some other factor that would keep him out of the cockpit.. I wanted to be an Air Force pilot like my father but could not pass a Class 1 physical. When I applied for OTS the AF wanted to make me a transportation officer, so I volunteered fro missile launch. Did that for two years and managed to get back in SP, where I had done my enlisted tour. Also, he asked about the SF career field and that was the focus of my answer. I had a disheartened 2Lt, who was a pilot washout, show up in my squadron to be the training and resource officer. I had a long talk with him about his new career field and among other things, explained that as a pilot he would have eventually led a flight of four officers, while in SF he would be leading anywhere from 44 to 60 personnel. He'd also been told there was a six month wait to get into the SF course. I got on the phone with the school house and suggested that he could backfill any no-shows in the next class - he was in school the following week. He came back pumped up, motivated, and excited about his new career field. A position in any career field is what you make of it. True, the senior officer in the SF field is a one-star but over the last several years former SF one-stars have gone on to be wing commanders and a couple have put on two stars. Kevin is a former infantryman and obtaining a degree in CJ. SF would be a good fit for his previous Army skills and his degree.
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Capt Gregory Prickett
Lt Col Timothy Hardy - sir, don't get me wrong, I loved my time in the career field, especially my ANG unit fell under ACC and ABGD/ABD was emphasized over flightline security. I was an infantryman (airborne, mech) before I came over, and was a police officer in civilian life. But I stand by my comments.
He doesn't have to be a pilot or a nav to be rated. He can be an Air Battle Manager (Class III flight physical); or an RPA pilot (drones), but RPA has the age limit like other pilots. There are currently more open RPA slots than any other rated slots, so that could help.
There is just more long term opportunity being rated.
He doesn't have to be a pilot or a nav to be rated. He can be an Air Battle Manager (Class III flight physical); or an RPA pilot (drones), but RPA has the age limit like other pilots. There are currently more open RPA slots than any other rated slots, so that could help.
There is just more long term opportunity being rated.
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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
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
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