Another Air Force hopeful with a new question

[Bananarama]

I am certain this is the path I am going to take after having a year of vollie experience with a local department and a year as an EMT. I want to expand my horizons, get out of home, and travel. I have spent many weeks now researching the Air Force fire protection program and I only have really 1 question: dream sheet. I would love to be overseas but I know the Air Force can send my anywhere they want. Is it possible to have more pull if you are one of the top students at Goodfellow? What are great bases to be on overseas besides Ramstein, Kadena, Aviano, and Misawa?

If unable to get an overseas assignment, which bases in the CONUS are good besides Eglin? Which of the CONUS bases run calls with local departments?

And lastly, if I don't mark down any bases for the CONUS portion of the dream sheet, will I more likely be able to get an overseas assignment or should I put down a few CONUS bases so I don't get stuck with a crappy base if they decide to station me in the CONUS?

Thanks in advance!

[JoeMZ191]

It really doesn't matter how well you do at Goofellow. Assignments are hit & miss. I think if you put Germany and England down for your top 2 choices you have a good chance of getting over there. I'm pretty sure you can still assignment swaps with the the other people in your class. If you get Minot, ND and he get's Ramstein, you fill out some paperwork and they switch names.

Most CONUS bases do run with the surrounding departments. I know Dover runs quite a bit off base.

Good choice going Air Force. I did 7 years AD and have been DOD for 16. One of the best choices I ever made. Take advantage of everything it has to offer.

Best of luck.

[timmct]

Just keep in mind that the key word in your posting is "Dream"....you'll get very used to hearing "the needs of the Air Force come first"....once you understand that concept, you'll be fine.

If you REALLY want to go overseas, I found the best way to get the assignment you want is to request an extended long tour (ELT). That way you're considered ahead of others requesting the same assignment. The downside, of course, is that there's a chance that you'll hate it and spend an extra year someplace you can't stand. For someone new to the AF, it's probably not the best choice, but it may be an option. The AF loves ELT's because they have to move you less often which equals less $. There are no ELT for stateside assignments.

Also, keep in mind that you can't request specific bases overseas, just countries or areas (Germany, Italy, etc).

Crusty Old Timer's advice follows: It's not the base, country, or squadron that makes the assignment. It's the job, the people you serve with, and what you make of it that matters.

Best of luck to you.

[ShredddinCali]

Just keep in mind that the key word in your posting is "Dream"....you'll get very used to hearing "the needs of the Air Force come first"....once you understand that concept, you'll be fine.

If you REALLY want to go overseas, I found the best way to get the assignment you want is to request an extended long tour (ELT). That way you're considered ahead of others requesting the same assignment. The downside, of course, is that there's a chance that you'll hate it and spend an extra year someplace you can't stand. For someone new to the AF, it's probably not the best choice, but it may be an option. The AF loves ELT's because they have to move you less often which equals less $. There are no ELT for stateside assignments.

Also, keep in mind that you can't request specific bases overseas, just countries or areas (Germany, Italy, etc).

Crusty Old Timer's advice follows: It's not the base, country, or squadron that makes the assignment. It's the job, the people you serve with, and what you make of it that matters.

Best of luck to you.

Great point... YOU are going to make or break the assignment. You can make the best out of the craippiest assignment and you can also make the worst out of the best assignment. Morale comes from within, so you, and only you will determine if a particular assignment blows or not. I put all west coast bases on my dream sheet when I got in and this other dude I was with in class put all overseas bases. I got Ramstein and he got Nellis. We were going to do a swap but one of the instructors told me that I am an idiot if I did. I am sure glad I listened to him.

oh yeah, don't go around calling yourself a fire dawg either.

[fire49]

Three words Alaska Florida california


As stated above and it sounds like you would do it wherever you go get off base and see th sights

[Dustinney]

can you fellas in the AF help me out im looking for some info about the security forces i know they do both guard duty and combat/ cop work but how do you know what your assigned too

[LVFD301]

You will be totally at the discretion of the unit - you will have no idea until you get to your base what your duty assignment will be. Chances are it will be guarding weapons storage or the alert pad. (Don't believe anyone who tells you "as soon as you talk to them you will get a patrol car")

The field was totally destroyed years ago.

[ShredddinCali]

If your a new cop, you can guarantee one thing... you gonna be doing the job nobody else wants to do.