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: In-Flight Refueling - 1A0X1

AFSC Description: Performs in-flight refueling aircrew functions and activities according to flight manuals, checklists, and United States Air Force publications. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 105000.
Education

Associates of Applied Science in Aviation Operations(4VCB).

The Aviation Operations(4VCB) 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 Operations(4VCB) 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), Associate Electronics Technician (Ceta), General Radiotelephone Operator License (Pg), Radar Electronics Technician (Rad), Certified Safety Specialist (Wso-Css), Certified Instructional Trainer (Cit), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (Chmm), Ncatt Radio Communication Systems (Rcs), Ncatt Dependent Navigation Systems (Dns), Construction Health And Safety Technician (Chst), Certified Aviation Manager (Cam), Certified Electronics Technician - Associate-Level (Associate Cet), Certified Electronics Technician - Journeyman-Level - Communications, Certified Electronics Technician - Journeyman-Level - Computer, Certified Electronics Technician - Journeyman-Level - Industrial, Certified Control Systems Technician - Level Ii (Ccst-Ii), Certified Control Systems Technician - Level Iii (Ccst-Iii), Certified Electronics Technician - Journeyman-Level - Radar, Certified Logistics Technician (Clt (Ae)), Global Logistics Associate (Gla), System Operator Certification, Iso 9001 Foundation - Quality Certification, Certified Governmental Safety Officer (Wso-Cgso), Certified Governmental Safety Specialist (Wso-Cgss), Certified Petroleum Apprentice (Cpa) Level 1, Certified Hazard Control Manager-Security (Chcm-Sec), Certified Emergency Disaster Professional (Cedp), Safety Management Specialist (Sms), Reliability Operator Certification (Rc), Balancing, Interchange, And Transmission Operator Certification (Bt), Transmission Operator Certification (To), Balancing And Interchange Certification (Bi), Certified Quality Improvement Associate (Cqia), Certified Manager Of Quality/Organizational Excellence (Cmq/Oe), Certified Quality Technician (Cqt), Six Sigma Black Belt (Cssbb), Certified In Transportation And Logistics (Ctl), Aircraft Dispatcher, Certified Manager (Cm), Certified Packaging Professional (Cpp), Certified Mail Manager (Cmm), Certified Associate In Materials Handling (Camh), Professional Certified In Materials Handling (Pcmh), Certified Professional Public Buyer (Cppb), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (Wcm), Certified Fire And Explosion Investigator (Cfei), Occupational Hygiene And Safety Technologist (Ohst), Certified In Production And Inventory Management (Cpim), Incident Safety Officer - Fire Suppression (Iso), Certified Calibration Technician (Cct), Electrical Testing Technician (Ett) - Level Ii, Electrical Testing Technician (Ett) - Level I, Electrical Testing Technician (Ett) - Level Iii, Certified Associate In Project Management (Capm), Certified Maintenance And Reliability Professionals (Cmrp), Avionics Electronics Technician (Avn), Ic3 Digital Literacy Certification (Ic3), Certified Mail And Distribution Systems Manager (Cmdsm), Certified Aerospace Technician Core, Ncatt Aircraft Electronics Technician (Aet), Certified Supply Chain Professional (Cscp), Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (Chmp), Certified Professional In Supply Management (Cpsm), Sae Fabricator (Sff), 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: 3
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: 0
Achievement Level: Supervisor