Joining Air Force Reserves for Experience

zeitgeist29

I have always considered joining the AF in the past and potentially sometime in the future after I earn some certifications and a Master's so I can be an officer. I'm searching around and I have been looking into just joining the AF reserve to become a Network Operations Officer, but the first issue I may have is that I don't have a BS in a related field. My other concern is whether or not the experience in the reserves would help me obtain a job that I wanted after my service was over, if I chose not to join the AF active duty. I requested info and asked this question but I'd like to get the opinion from you all since there are people who come from so many backgrounds. Ideally this seems like a good way to get into the security field and make some extra money on the side.

Oh and I'm working on my CCENT/CCNA if that'll increase the probability of me getting an opportunity. I'm guessing they want people who actually know what they're doing so I'm guessing this was a stupid question...but I'm still curious.

devilbones

Are you asking a question?

Fulcrum45

I think it's a great way to get experience. You'll no doubt be put through training which will look good on a resume plus you'll most likely need to get a security clearance which will help in other areas. I joined the Reserves as a Psychological Operations Specialist and had to attended the J.F.K. Special Warfare Center as a result. Don't think I leave that off my resume just because it isn't relevant

I knew a lot of folks who are working pretty interesting (albeit non- IT related) jobs simply through the connections they made in the reserves.

thesecuritybro

Probably wont happen if you are not prior Air Force or have a masters degree. The Air Force reserve has gotten very selective these days.

Kreken

Just go active USAF and make them payoff your college loan. You can go to OTS with BS, MS is overkill. What's your BS in?

the_Grinch

If I could go back I would join, but you have to remember the Air Force Reserve is going to be one weekend a month two weeks a year (unless deployed). I have friends in the Reserves who spend most of their weekends doing paperwork or other non-job related duties. So to join just for experience isn't the right reason to get in because while you'll get some pretty good training you won't know how much of that you'll be putting to work.

NavyMooseCCNA

If you join the AFR, make sure you pick the correct AFSC for what you want to do. I remember correctly there was 3C0X1 and that was primarily help desk and 3C2XX was networking.

Fulcrum45

the_Grinch wrote: »

I have friends in the Reserves who spend most of their weekends doing paperwork or other non-job related duties. So to join just for experience isn't the right reason to get in because while you'll get some pretty good training you won't know how much of that you'll be putting to work.

This is very true. It was rare I got to flex my MOS muscle since most weekends were bogged down with training briefs and paperwork. Your unit could be very different however so hard to say. Your training periods however should be good opportunities for experience.

mbarrett

Joining the Reserves without prior organizational experience isn't a great idea, you won't know what's going on half the time. If you do Active duty for a few years, it will put you ahead of the game in many respects.

NavyMooseCCNA

Fulcrum45 wrote: »

This is very true. It was rare I got to flex my MOS muscle since most weekends were bogged down with training briefs and paperwork. Your unit could be very different however so hard to say. Your training periods however should be good opportunities for experience.

110% dead on. On Saturday mornings there was a lot of resetting passwords, but nothing very challenging. They had full time contractors or civilians who ran the IT shop during the week so there wasn't much for us to do.

McxRisley

I wouldn't recommend joining any branch of service "just for experience". I have worked along side members of every branch for over 2 years now and they don't receive any training that would be any different than what you could get as a civilian. Not to say everyone that is serving and working in IT is dumb, but the ones who are actually knowledgeable are few and far between. The training they receive really isn't anything special, and all of my coworkers who are former and current service agree on this.

zeitgeist29

Fulcrum45 wrote: »

I think it's a great way to get experience. You'll no doubt be put through training which will look good on a resume plus you'll most likely need to get a security clearance which will help in other areas. I joined the Reserves as a Psychological Operations Specialist and had to attended the J.F.K. Special Warfare Center as a result. Don't think I leave that off my resume just because it isn't relevant

I knew a lot of folks who are working pretty interesting (albeit non- IT related) jobs simply through the connections they made in the reserves.

Thant sounds like an interesting gig. What did you do? I'ts definitely something I'm looking into for some extra money and some life experience.

Kreken wrote: »

Just go active USAF and make them payoff your college loan. You can go to OTS with BS, MS is overkill. What's your BS in?

I realize a MS is overkill but I have my BS in psychology (I don't need anyone telling me what a waste it was, I'm more than aware. It haunts me every day but I was terrified of math and wanted to be a psychologist.), so I don't have many options IMO but I thought about the MS so I could get in and do network operations, but I know how picky the AF is, which is why I never joined before.

If I can get enough experience there are enough AF bases around that I can have similar opportunities without the risk of being shipped off. Either way the reserves seem like a good idea.

Fulcrum45

zeitgeist29 wrote: »

Thant sounds like an interesting gig. What did you do? I'ts definitely something I'm looking into for some extra money and some life experience.

My job mostly consisted of talking to Iraqi dirt farmers, blasting loud speaker broadcasts at populated areas and handing out soccer balls to children in the villages. It was a strange gig and most infantry units didn't know what the heck to do with us. It was the perfect MOS for getting wartime experience outside the wire without having to go active duty.

josephandre

I work at an Air Force CERT with a ton of reservists. Half of them are full time contractors in the same capacity (or at better locations) and receive a TON of training and certifications. The experience aspect is fairly limited because of what's been mentioned above, but it's certainly a good option.

Not to mention the clearance and vet preference within DOD. Definitely depends on the job though.

bpenn

Joining the AF Reserve was the best decision I ever made for myself. Here is why:

At 22, I wanted to get into IT but I wasnt sure how to do it. Father-in-law was in the reserves and told me to do it get to started so I decided to make the jump. I went in as 3D1X1 (Desktop Support, basically) and obtained a Secret clearance. I went on 4 months of active orders and was assigned to a Comm Squadron fixing computers, creating accounts in Active Directory, etc. I worked really hard during those 4 months and managed to grab the attention of a few contractors at that squadron who knew I was a reservist and looking for a job after my orders had ended. One of those guys recommended me to a hiring manager on a DoD contract and I ended up getting a great job doing desktop support, thanks to that contractor, having a Secret clearance, and getting my A+ cert in tech school.

Now I am doing sys admin/IA security work and owe it all to that decision I made when I was 22. If you want to get into DoD IT, this is a fantastic route to take. Also, I get cheap healthcare, life insurance, and dental for myself and my family. The Reserves also paid for my bachelors degree, my CISSP, and two CCNAs.

If you prefer to work private sector and stay away from DoD, then I would recommend a different path unless you just really want to serve your country!

LA2

I don't think you should join only for the experience. You can get the training without dealing with the bs by attending a bootcamp. A number of reason should be factored in for joining (beyond the cliche patriotic mumbo jumbo). One thing I can say that could certainly create a positive affect on your career out look would be obtaining a clearance. This would definitely open doors to federal agencies and contract work especially if you live within the DMV.

DAVID Q

First realize their three different departments of the Air Force a candidate can join
1. Air force Active Duty (Full-time job 365 days a year mostly away from or maybe near the state you live in or even in another country)
2. Air force Reserve (Once a Month Weekend Warrior mainly belongs to Federal Government can be called to Active duty in a Emergency or National crisis)
3. Air National Guard(Once a Month Weekend Warrior Tied to the mostly the state but can be called to Federal and Active Duty during a National Crisis)

No matter which part of the Air Force you join rather its Active,Reserve, or Guard everyone will do BMT(Basic Military Training) down in Texas at Lack Land Airforce Base down in Texas and and after BMT Graduation all graduating recruits will head off to Tech School For specific job training in AFSC they pick as a career(computers,mechanic,shop,electrical,administration,medicine, and combat jobs) different schools are located at different Air Force Bases.

I was in a Cyber-Space related Field which mostly consists of 3D Jobs(Computer,Electronics, and Radio) and most of that training gets done at a certain base in Mississippi called Kessler and then after graduation you report back to your duty station especially for guard and reserve components. Those who are Active will get to travel to another station in one of the fifty states or different country all together as their permanent duty station after Tech School.

So what are qualifications for joining certain departments of the Air force (Active,Reserve, or Air National Guard)?
Minimum & Maximum requirements Age 17 to 39 Years of age
Background Check (For Security Clearence)
Physical & Medical (You can be disqualified from certain jobs depending on vision like beinG COLOR BLIND which can be major disqualification for certain job selection. I couldn't be a Aircraft Mechanic or Aircraft Electronic Technician it's a major disqualification )
Passing ASVAB Score which will determine job qualifications I like too refer to it as the SAT OR ACT of The military.

Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard Benefits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Miy3UFWMfyE

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Air+guard+vs+Reserve

Cyber-Space Jobs a Available after a qualifying and passing score Asvab Score
Client Systems (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNlEc6568OM) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADtoc2_CJ7w) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxyAADMLuUA)
Cyber Surety (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQGLGrl770o)
Cyber Transport (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWZ1r9K-15I) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nahkxvSH9Ls)
Cyber Operations (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcTixcUxwEk)

I only touched the surface, but the jobs I listed above are computer related.


The advantage you do have is a degree, so if you joined the reserves you would go in as a E-3 (Airmen First Class) which is a higher rank than E-1 and E-2 which means more pay

And to be consider become Officer you must have a degree and the unit you are a part of must vote that's the hardway. The easy way is if the college you are at offered JROTC for the branch you wanted join (Airforce,Army,Marines, or Navy) That's the most easiest route.

Want to become an OFFICER? Air Force?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZWXpODU4z8

Enlisted vs Officer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU7dGuvpgCY

How do I qualify to give out this information? I was honorable discharge as a E-4 (Senior Airmen) Air National Guard
I did Three years from 2012 to 2015 other than that good luck on your future endeavors and go
https://www.goang.com/

Mitechniq

As a current Cyber Warfare Operations Officer in the Air National Guard, I welcome anyone with the right mindset. I honestly don't care why you join, a lot of us join for financial, marital or simply do not have anything better to do. Then you get to basic training, I ask you to stay humble, work with others and have a willing to succeed. You will start to feel pride in your work, a sense of duty to this great nation and build amazing relationships with other service members.

If networking is your desire, then you want to look for a 3D1X2 (Cyber Transport) position. Several months ago I sent some of my airmen through Cisco Threat Grid and Cisco 1000v training and most of my E-5/E-6's are network engineers in their civilian jobs. I also have 1B4 (Cyber Warfare Operators), that I send to SANS courses throughout the year. The Air Force paid for my CISSP, SANs GCIA and I will be going through SANs GCFA next year.

jdancer

Another option is the Civilian Air Patrol.

zeitgeist29

Mitechniq wrote: »

As a current Cyber Warfare Operations Officer in the Air National Guard, I welcome anyone with the right mindset. I honestly don't care why you join, a lot of us join for financial, marital or simply do not have anything better to do. Then you get to basic training, I ask you to stay humble, work with others and have a willing to succeed. You will start to feel pride in your work, a sense of duty to this great nation and build amazing relationships with other service members.

If networking is your desire, then you want to look for a 3D1X2 (Cyber Transport) position. Several months ago I sent some of my airmen through Cisco Threat Grid and Cisco 1000v training and most of my E-5/E-6's are network engineers in their civilian jobs. I also have 1B4 (Cyber Warfare Operators), that I send to SANS courses throughout the year. The Air Force paid for my CISSP, SANs GCIA and I will be going through SANs GCFA next year.

Thanks man. I read the post DAVID Q wrote about becoming an officer. There's no way I would enlist in the AF reserves or Air National Guard. I mean I have a degree so I thought I could potentially be an O-1. So hypothetically if I had an MS in Cyber security I would still be an E-3 in the reserves? My brother was in the army and was an E-6 when he got out after 8 years and he had 1 semester of college. Isn't OTCS or whatever an option? How did you become an officer or have you been in for a while? If I go active duty would I be able to be an O-1? I would really much prefer to be an officer if at all possible.

EDIT: So obviously I would have to enlist to get the job that I want since my degree is in psych, which may not be too bad. I could enlist in the reserves, have them help pay for my MS and then become an officer. I should probably worry about my CCENT first though.