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: Cyber Transport Systems - 3D1X2

AFSC Description: Deploys, sustains, troubleshoots and repairs standard voice, data and video network infrastructure systems, IP detection systems and cryptographic equipment. Performs, coordinates, integrates and supervises network design, configuration, operation, defense, restoration, and improvements. Analyzes capabilities and performance, identifies problems, and takes corrective action. Fabricates, terminates, and interconnects wiring and associated network infrastructure devices. Related DoD Occupational Subgroups: 115000 and 162200.
Education

Associates of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology(0IYY).

The Information Systems Technology(0IYY) 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 Information Systems Technology(0IYY) 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*:

Associate Electronics Technician (Ceta), Fiber Optics Installer (Foi), Certified Satellite Installer (Csi), Telecommunications Electronics Technician (Tcm), Telecommunications Junior Technician Certification, General Radiotelephone Operator License (Pg), Computer Service Technician (Cst), Comptia A+ Ce, Network Systems Technician (Nst), Fiber Optics Technician (Fot), Master Certified Electronics Technician (Cetma), Senior Certified Electronics Technician (Cetsr), Broadband Telecomcenter Specialist (Btcs), Broadband Transport Specialist (Bts), Broadband Distribution Specialist (Bds), Certified Wireless Design Professional (Cwdp), Certified Wireless Analysis Professional (Cwap), Cisco Certified Design Expert (Ccde), Cisco Certified Network Professional (Ccnp) Security, Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate Intrusion Detection And Prevention (Jncia-Idp), Giac Certified Penetration Tester (Gpen), Broadband Voice Over Internet Protocol (B-Voip), Red Hat Certified System Administrator (Rhcsa), Certified Electronics Technician - Associate-Level (Associate Cet), Electronic Security Networking Technician (Esnt), Fiber Optics Technician (Outside Plant) (Fot-Osp), Communications Site Installation Inspector (Csii), Residential Electronics Systems Integrator (Resi), Psi Certified Associate Information Technology Coordinator (Pcaitc), Psi Certified Senior Information Technology Consultant (Pcsitc), Psi Certified Master Information Technology Analyst (Pcmita), Registered Telecommunications Project Manager (Rtpm), Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate Junos (Jncia-Junos), Comptia Advanced Security Practitioner (Casp+), Cisco Certified Network Professional (Ccnp) Voice, Cisco Certified Network Professional Wireless (Ccnp Wireless), Microsoft Technology Associate (Mta), Comptia Storage+ Ce Powered By Snia, Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (Mcsd): Windows Store Apps, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Server Infrastructure, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Windows Server 2012, CompTIA Cloud Essentials+, Associate Of Isc2, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Windows 8, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Windows 7, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Sql Server 2012/2014, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Sql Server 2008, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Private Cloud, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Messaging, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Communication, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Sharepoint, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Data Platform, Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (Mcsd): Web Applications, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Desktop Infrastructure, Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (Mcsd): Sharepoint Applications, Juniper Networks Certified Associate E-Series (Jncia-E), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Enterprise Wireless (Ccie Wireless), Wireless Network Technician (Wnt), Iso 20000 Lead Auditor - It Service Certification, Iso 20000 Lead Implementer - It Service Certification, Iso 20000 Master - It Service Certification, Iso 27001 Foundation - Information Security Certification, Iso 20000 Foundation - It Service Certification, Cisco Cybersecurity Specialist, Comptia Cloud+ Ce, Comptia Mobility+ Ce, Giac Mobile Device Security Analyst (Gmob), Cisco Certified Network Associate Collaboration (Ccna Collaboration), Cisco Certified Network Professional Collaboration (Ccnp Collaboration), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Collaboration (Ccie Collaboration), Red Hat Certified Architect (Rhca), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Enterprise Devices And Apps, Comptia Project+, Residential Electronics Systems Integrator Security-Surveillance (Resi-Ss), Residential Electronics Systems Integrator Environmental Control (Resi-Ec), Residential Electronics Systems Integrator Computer Networking (Resi-Cn), Residential Electronics Systems Integrator Closed Circuit Tv (Resi-Cctv), Smart Technology Systems (Sts), Comptia Linux+, Master Residential Electronics Systems Integrator (Resima), Gaming And Vending Technician (Gvt), Apprentice Telecommunications (App), Electronics Associate Dc (Em1), Electronics Associate Ac (Em2), Electronics Associate Analog (Em3), Electronics Associate Digital (Em4), Comptia Network+ Ce, Electronics Associate Comprehensive (Em5), Trn Wireless Communications Technician (Trn), Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (Lfcs), Comptia Server+, Certified Information Privacy Technologist (Cipt), Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (Cbne), Giac Exploit Researcher And Advanced Penetration Tester (Gxpn), Giac Critical Controls Certification (Gccc), Giac Continuous Monitoring Certification (Gmon), Giac Network Forensic Analyst (Gnfa), Certified In Cyber Warfare Ttp's 1, Certified In Information Assurance (Cia), Itil Expert Level, Itil Master Certification, Certified Cloud Security Professional (Ccsp), Cisco Certified Network Associate Cloud (Ccna Cloud), Cisco Certified Network Associate Data Center (Ccna Data Center), Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist - Enterprise Routing And Switching (Jncis-Ent), Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional - Enterprise Routing And Switching (Jncip-Ent), Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Linux On Azure, Aws Certified Solutions Architect - Associate, Aws Certified Sysops Administrator - Associate, Aws Certified Developer - Associate, Aws Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Aws Certified Devops Engineer - Professional, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Data Management And Analytics, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Productivity Solutions Expert, Comptia Cybersecurity Analyst (Cysa+), Cybersec First Responder (Cfr), Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Sql 2016 Database Development, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Sql 2016 Database Administration, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Sql 2016 Business Intelligence Development, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Mobility, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Mcse): Cloud Platform And Infrastructure, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Cloud Platform, Information Technology Security (Its), Comptia It Fundamentals (Itf+), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (Mcsd): App Builder, Cisco Certified Cyberops Associate, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (Mcsa): Data Engineering With Azure, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (Mcsa): Machine Learning, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (Mcsa): Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Bi Reporting, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Mcsa): Microsoft Dynamics 365 For Operations, Comptia Pentest+, Aws Certified Cloud Practitioner, Aws Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty, Aws Certified Security - Specialty, Cisco Certified Network Associate (Ccna), Cisco Certified Network Professional (Ccnp) Enterprise, Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (Ccie) Enterprise Infrastructure, Cisco Certified Technician Routing And Switching (Cct Routing And Switching), Fundamentals Of Engineering (Fe) Exam - Electrical And Computer, Principles And Practice Of Engineering (Pe) Exam - Electrical And Computer, Registered Communications Distribution Designer (Rcdd), Check Point Certified Security Administrator (Ccsa), Check Point Certified Security Expert (Ccse), Check Point Certified Security Expert Plus (Ccse+), Cisco Certified Design Associate (Ccda), Cisco Certified Design Professional (Ccdp), Cisco Certified Network Associate (Ccna) Routing And Switching, Cisco Certified Network Professional (Ccnp) Routing And Switching, Certified Information Systems Auditor (Cisa), Associate Computing Professional (Acp), Certified Computing Professional (Ccp), Certified Manager (Cm), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (Cissp), Certified Linux Administrator (Lpic-1), Certified Novell Administrator (Cna), Certified Novell Engineer (Cne), Project Management Professional (Pmp), Red Hat Certified Engineer (Rhce), Oracle Certified Professional, Oracle Solaris 10 System Administrator, Oracle Certified Expert, Oracle Solaris 10 Network Administrator, Certified Wireless Network Administrator (Cwna), Certified Wireless Technology Specialist (Cwts), Rsa Certified Systems Engineer, Giac Certified Perimeter Protection Analyst (Gppa), Giac Certified Incident Handler (Gcih), Giac Certified Intrusion Analyst (Gcia), Giac Certified Unix Security Administrator (Gcux), Giac Certified Windows Security Administrator (Gcwn), Giac Information Security Professional (Gisp), Giac Security Expert (Gse), Giac Security Essentials Certification (Gsec), Giac Systems And Network Auditor (Gsna), Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (Wcm), Network Computer Technician (Nct), Data Cabling Installer (Dci), Systems Security Certified Practitioner (Sscp), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (Ccie) Routing And Switching, Comptia Security+ Ce, Giac Certified Forensics Analyst (Gcfa), Giac Security Leadership Certification (Gslc), Personal Communication Service- Cellular (Pcs-C), Certified Information Security Manager (Cism), Giac Gold Standard Certificate (Ggsc), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (Ccie) Security, Check Point Certified Security Principles Associate, Check Point Certified Security Expert Ngx, Check Point Certified Security Administrator Ngx, Giac Information Security Fundamentals (Gisf), Certified Associate In Project Management (Capm), Cisco Intrusion Prevention System Specialist (Ips), Cert - Certified Computer Security Incident Handler (Csih), Itil Foundation Level, Itil Intermediate Level, Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (Ccent), Cybersecurity Forensic Analyst (Csfa), Ec-Council Network Security Administrator (Nsa), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (Chfi), Certified Ethical Hacker (Ceh), Giac Assessing And Auditing Wireless Networks (Gawn), Certified Security Analyst (Ecsa), Licensed Penetration Tester (Lpt), Certified Network Defense Architect (Cnda), Certified Voip Professional (Cvp), Oracle Certified Expert, Oracle Solaris 10 Security Administrator, Oracle Certified Associate, Oracle Solaris 10 Operating System, Telecommunications Master Engineer Certification, Telecommunications Junior Engineer Certification, Telecommunications Senior Engineer Certification, Giac Law Of Data Security And Investigations (Gleg), Certified In The Governance Of Enterprise It (Cgeit), Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (Mcts), Cisco Certified Network Associate (Ccna) Security, Cisco Certified Network Associate Voice (Ccna Voice), Cisco Certified Network Associate Wireless (Ccna Wireless), Broadband Premises Installer (Bpi), Broadband Premises Technician (Bpt)

*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: 6 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: 2
Achievement Level: Supervisor