Training

Training Types
Enlisting in the Air Force immediately enrolls you in the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and puts you on a path of higher education through the pursuit of an Associate Degree of Applied Sciences. You will also benefit from the structured earn-while-you-learn U.S. Military Apprenticeship Program as you progress through your technical training and experience on the job. You are also encouraged to secure several civilian licenses and credentials that are critical to your Air Force career. Finally, as you grow in your job and secure promotions, you will be offered leadership training and supervisory opportunities. Here is a high-level look at your Air Force training:

Enlisted Professional Military Education

Air Force Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) is created and provided through the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education. EPME courses include fitness and drill and ceremony components as well as formal lectures and academic research projects.

Air Force EPME courses have been approved for college credit in the Leadership, Management & Military Science discipline of the service's Community College of the Air Force Associate in Applied Science degree programs.

Technical Training

When you enlist straight out of high school, the Air Force offers exclusive programs and hands-on experience to help you develop your skills and advance in your career. With financial assistance available every step of the way, we provide you with the opportunity to take your training and education as far as you strive to go.

Basic Military Training

We pride ourselves in providing every Airman with unsurpassed educational opportunities to develop into even stronger Airmen. We invest time and resources to fuel innovation in order to help you achieve your goals and bring out your highest potential.
 

Upgrade Training

In the Air Force, progressing is an important part of your job. To help you become the best you can be, you will have opportunities for continuous learning and training as you continue your upward momentum through your career. Programs are designed to help you progress in your career, take on more responsibilities, and stay current with advancements in technology and tactics.

The specific requirements and opportunities for upgrade training in the Air Force can vary widely depending on the career field, rank, and individual goals.
 

Leadership Training

As you progress through your career, you'll also share ideas, experiences, and work together with your fellow Airmen to achieve various educational objectives through the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education. We've included some of the most sought-after leadership training programs below. Click on any to learn more:

Airman Leadership School

Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy

Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (AFNCOA)

Example Resume

Based on the experience gained from Basic Military Training, Technical Training, Upgrade Training, and Leadership Training, you will become a true Airman with a well-rounded career trajectory. Importantly, you will also look good "on paper". As an example, we've included a sample of what your resume could look like after an enlistment:

Air Force Specialty Code

An Air Force Specialty Code "AFSC" is the job that an Airman performs while serving. You will gain valuable experience during this time, preparing you for a career in the workforce. Here's some information on the AFSC currently selected:

AFSC: Water And Fuel Systems Maintenance - 3E4X1

AFSC Description: Installs, inspects, maintains, troubleshoots, modifies, repairs, and manages plumbing, water distribution, wastewater collection systems, water and wastewater treatment systems, fire suppression, backflow prevention systems, natural gas distribution systems, liquid fuel storage, distribution, and dispensing systems. Complies with environmental and safety regulations. Related DoD Occupational Subgroups: 172000.
Education

Associates of Applied Science in Mechanical & Electrical Technology(4VGA).

The Mechanical & Electrical Technology(4VGA) major program includes technical and on-the-job education, leadership/management and military studies, physical education, general education (communications, mathematics, social science, and humanities), as well as program electives for you to choose from such as natural science courses or a foreign language.
Training and Credentials

In addition to your Mechanical & Electrical Technology(4VGA) degree, you will receive additional on-the-job (or "occupational") training that will result in your ability to gain certifications and credentials to prove to future employers that you have the skills necessary to succeed in a variety careers in the civilian job market. You will gain some during your time in the Air Force, but your options also open with civilian credentials that you can target as you understand what path you want to take your career. We have provided samples below.

Available Credentials*:

Certified Safety Professional (Csp), Registered Hazardous Substances Professional (Rhsp), Certified In Plumbing Design (Cpd), Registered Hazardous Substances Specialist (Rhss), Certified Safety Specialist (Wso-Css), Certified Environmental Health Technician (Ceht), Water Treatment Operator - Class I, Water Collection And Analysis -Class I, Industrial Waste Operator - Level I, Iapmo - Residential Plumbing Inspector, Iapmo - Commercial Plumbing Inspector, Iso 9001 Lead Auditor - Quality Certification, Iso 9001 Foundation - Quality Certification, Api Tes Tank Entry Supervisor Certification Program, Api 571 Corrosion And Materials, Api 577 Welding Inspection And Metallurgy, Api 580 Risk-Based Inspection, Star Plumbing Mastery, Certified Hazardous Materials Technician Level I (Wso-Chmt I), Certified Hazardous Materials Technician Level Ii (Wso-Chmt Ii), Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class I, Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class Ii, Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class Iii, Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class Iv, Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class I, Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class Ii, Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class Iv, Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class Iii, Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class Ii, Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class Iii, Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class Iv, Plant Maintenance Technologist Class I, Plant Maintenance Technologist Class Ii, Plant Maintenance Technologist Class Iii, Qro - Certification For Municipal Solid Waste Combustion Facilities Operator, Class A Ust System Operator - Au, Class B Ust System Operator - Bu, Water Distribution Operator Class I, Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class I, Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class Iv, Water Laboratory Analyst, Board Certified Environmental Engineer (Bcee) - Water Supply/Wastewater Engineering, Iapmo - Plumbing Plans Examiner, Fundamentals Of Engineering (Fe) Exam - Chemical, Fundamentals Of Engineering (Fe) Exam - Environmental, Fundamentals Of Engineering (Fe) Exam - Mechanical, Fundamentals Of Engineering (Fe) Exam - Other Disciplines, Principles And Practice Of Engineering (Pe) Exam - Control Systems, Principles And Practice Of Engineering (Pe) Exam - Environmental, Principles And Practice Of Engineering (Pe) Exam - Fire Protection, Principles And Practice Of Engineering (Pe) Exam - Mechanical, Industrial Hydraulic Technician (Iht), Mobile Hydraulic Technician (Mht), Residential Plumbing Inspector - P1, Cathodic Protection Specialist, Cathodic Protection Technician, Certified Ground Water Professional, Certified Pump Installer (Cpi), Master Ground Water Contractor (Mgwc), Certified Lubrication Specialist (Cls), Registered Construction Inspector: Division Iii: Specialty - Plumbing, Very Small Water System Operator, Api 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector, Api 570 Piping Inspector, Api 936 Refractory Personnel, Api 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector, Certified Water Technologist (Cwt), Certified Water Specialist (Cws), Certified Installer (Ci), Certified Contractual Operator (Cco), Plumbing Plans Examiner - P3, Commercial Plumbing Inspector - P2, Certified Associate In Project Management (Capm), Certified Maintenance And Reliability Professionals (Cmrp), Certified Maintenance And Reliability Technician (Cmrt), Journey Level Plumber, Journey Level Pipefitter-Steamfitter, Star Steamfitting-Pipefitting Mastery, Certified Installer Of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Certified Inspector (Ci), Ust Cathodic Protection - U4, Ust System Operator - U6, Building Construction: Water/Wastewater Plants - Level I, Building Construction: Water/Wastewater Plants - Level Ii, Building Construction: Water/Wastewater Plants - Level Iii, Building Construction: Water/Wastewater Plants - Level Iv, Fire Protection: Inspection And Testing Of Water-Based Systems - Level I, Fire Protection: Inspection And Testing Of Water-Based Systems - Level Ii, Fire Protection: Inspection And Testing Of Water-Based Systems - Level Iii, Fire Protection: Special Hazards Suppression Systems - Level I, Fire Protection: Special Hazards Suppression Systems - Level Ii

*Note: Credentials earned in the Air Force are directly applicable to civilian careers.
Experience

One of the clearest ways the Air Force helps you distinguish yourself from your civilian counterparts is helping you gain higher experience levels from the moment you enter the workforce. "Experience" can be divided into two categories: Technical and Leadership.

Technical Experience

Technical Experience is what you get when you begin performing a job. In fact, you could replace "technical" with "on-the-job" experience to better understand the term. Because you begin a job (or an "occupation") in the military after you join the Air Force, you immediately begin gaining job skills that you can use in your next career.

Technical:
Number of Years: 4 Year Contract
Achievement Level: 5
Leadership Experience

Leadership Experience relates to how long you have led teams of people. Leadership achievement levels include Supervisor, Manager, and Director. After you complete Airman Leadership School, you will reach the Supervisor level in which you are responsible for leading small teams of 10-15 persons. This paygrade undergoes a moderate amount of leadership training and is similar in duties to a supervisor in the workforce.

Leadership:
Number of Years: 1
Achievement Level: Supervisor