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: Tactical Aircraft Maintenance - 2A3X3

AFSC Description: Maintains tactical aircraft, support equipment, and forms and records. Performs and supervises flight chief, expediter, crew chief, repair and reclamation, quality assurance, and maintenance support functions. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 160000.
Education

Associates of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology(4VAD).

The Aviation Maintenance Technology(4VAD) 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 Aviation Maintenance Technology(4VAD) 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), Associate Electronics Technician (Ceta), General Radiotelephone Operator License (Pg), Certified Safety Technician (Wso-Cst), Certified Safety Specialist (Wso-Css), Registered Environmental Technician (Ret), Certified In Homeland Security Level Iii (Chs-Iii), Certified Electronics Technician - Associate-Level (Associate Cet), Certified Electronics Technician - Journeyman-Level - Industrial, Certified Control Systems Technician - Level Ii (Ccst-Ii), Certified Control Systems Technician - Level Iii (Ccst-Iii), Certified Logistics Technician (Clt (Ae)), Certified Logistics Associate (Cla), Iso 9001 Lead Auditor - Quality Certification, Iso 9001 Lead Implementer - Quality Certification, Iso 9001 Master - Quality Certification, Iso 9001 Foundation - Quality Certification, Psi Certified Associate Operations Coordinator (Pcaoc), Certified Hazardous Materials Supervisor (Wso-Chms), Certified Hazardous Materials Technician Level I (Wso-Chmt I), Certified Hazardous Materials Technician Level Ii (Wso-Chmt Ii), Fluid Power Master Technician (Mt), Fluid Power Master Mechanic (Mm), Fluid Power System Designer, Six Sigma Yellow Belt (Cssyb), Passive Intermodulation Testing (Pim), Aviation Structures, Certified Aerospace Technician -Vehicle Processing, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Office 2013, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Excel 2016, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Excel 2016 Expert, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Access 2016, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Outlook 2016, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Powerpoint 2016, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Word 2016, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Word 2016 Expert, Fundamentals Of Engineering (Fe) Exam - Mechanical, Fundamentals Of Engineering (Fe) Exam - Other Disciplines, Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Associate (Office 365 And Office 2019), Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Excel Associate (Excel And Excel 2019), Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Access Expert (Access And Access 2019), Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Excel Expert (Excel And Excel 2019), Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Word Associate (Word And Word 2019), Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Microsoft Word Expert (Word And Word 2019), Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Outlook Associate (Outlook And Outlook 2019), Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos): Powerpoint Associate (Powerpoint And Powerpoint 2019), Principles And Practice Of Engineering (Pe) Exam - Mechanical, Principles And Practice Of Engineering (Pe) Exam - Metallurgical And Materials, Certified Quality Improvement Associate (Cqia), Quality Inspector Certification (Cqi), Certified Manager Of Quality/Organizational Excellence (Cmq/Oe), Certified Quality Technician (Cqt), Six Sigma Black Belt (Cssbb), Mechanic-Inspection Authorization (Ia), Mechanic (Powerplant), Fluid Power Connector And Conductor (Cc), Hydraulic Specialist (Hs), Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (Ihm), Industrial Hydraulic Technician (Iht), Mobile Hydraulic Mechanic (Mhm), Mobile Hydraulic Technician (Mht), Pneumatic Mechanic (Pm), Pneumatic Specialist (Ps), Pneumatic Technician (Pt), Certified Control Systems Technician - Level I (Ccst-I), Certified Manager (Cm), Corrosion Technician, Mechanic (Airframe), Microsoft Office Specialist (Mos), Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant), Machining Level I - Measurement, Materials, And Safety Skills, Certified Associate In Project Management (Capm), Certified Maintenance And Reliability Professionals (Cmrp), Certified Maintenance And Reliability Technician (Cmrt), Six Sigma Green Belt (Cssgb), Certified Aerospace Technician Core, Ncatt Aircraft Electronics Technician (Aet), Industrial Instrumentation - Level I, Ncatt Foreign Object Elimination (Foe)

*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