Enlisted ANG FE??

[CherryBomb]

If you guys have some time Id like to consult your wisdom.

I currently fly cargo in an old lear 25. Ive got about two years of college. Ive heard that there are positions available as flight engineers on the KC-10, C-5, and older c-130's etc...

My ultimate goal is to enlist, finish my college, and then start trying to get a flight slot.

My question is, are the flight engineer positions available to someone like me off the street? Are there any prerequisites? Are there any other jobs for enlisted in the ANG or other reserve brances that would get me as close as possible to flying?

All of this might not be possible, Im just really anxious to serve...

Thanks in advance...

 

[viper548]

Many units require you to be prior service in aviation related career fields (loadmaster, boom operator, MX, etc.) before hiring you on as a FE. FE school and training is considerably longer than boom operator or loadmaster school. If your long term goal is to get a pilot slot, you might want to try one of those jobs. I'm a loadmaster on the C5 and my unit won't hire FE's off the street.

 

[C-5 MEM]

Our unit has been looking for FE's and you dont have to have prior service.
Since we went to the C-5 they need more engineers, but I am not for sure how many they need.
As for getting a pilot slot I have witnessed first hand those who try to get in to a unit and move up to a pilot slot gets shot down early. If you come in it would be best not to say anything about being a pilot.
If you would come in as a FE or Loadmaster stay in that section for a few years and then start to talk about moving up to the pilot position. Our unit hires more pilots from within our squadron than anywhere else. Plus we would get to know you as a crewmember which is very big.

C-5

 

[CherryBomb]

Thanks guys for the info, Im not really concerned with being a pilot
right away. Im a pilot now and am happy where Im at, Im just anxious to serve...

 

[C-5 MEM]

If you are in TN you have the Nashville unit which has C-130's, but they are on the BRAC. Memphis has C-5's and will be looking for FE's and over 29 loadmasters.
PM me if you want me to make a few phone calls.


C-5

 

[JungleJett]

Many units require you to be prior service in aviation related career fields (loadmaster, boom operator, MX, etc.) before hiring you on as a FE. FE school and training is considerably longer than boom operator or loadmaster school. If your long term goal is to get a pilot slot, you might want to try one of those jobs. I'm a loadmaster on the C5 and my unit won't hire FE's off the street.

The LM and FE training in the Herk take nearly the same amount of time.

Anyone here from the C-5 unit in Dayton Ohio? Drop me an email.

 

[PreContact]

We hire FEs off the street at my reserve unit. KC-10=nice ride even for the FE!

 

[propilot]

If your name implies who you work for, ask around your company. I know at least 1 Captain and 1 FO who are in the Naval Air Reserves and Texas ANG...

 

[wms]

We hire FEs off the street at my reserve unit. KC-10=nice ride even for the FE!

What's your unit? I've been interested in FE or boomer slots since leaving AD.

 

[C-5 MEM]

I am with the 155th AS in Memphis TN. We are flying the C-5s now. LM are in major demand right now. Several openings. FE position are maybe one or two left.

C-5 MEM

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

My advice is to try to get in the door as a Load Master. It's a little more realistic as all the FEs in my Squadron are prior service and as far I know qualification requires the candidate to be a SSgt (E5) and prior USAF Maintenance. My Squadron's Pilot section is composed of 30% prior enlisted LM. USAF Pilot selection is a tough selection board and you will have to be really tight with someone waaay up on the echelon or alerady in the (Squadron) family under a different capacity; ie, FE, LM, Admin, etc.

Decide what A/C you want. Then call around and find out which USAFR/ANG units are in need of FE or LM. Recruiters have current manning docs for neighboring units. Flying slots require an interview board so be prepared to stand in front of the Squadron's top section dogs when the call you in for an interview.

If you are hell bent on going for an FE slot:
Get you FE ticket prior to applying -- without being prior service, this is probably your only hail mary. All of the FEs in my Reserve Squadron were prior service but if there's one thing I've learned in my 14 years of service to our great nation, it's the fact that there's always a waiver for a requirement. I have to warn you however, that the C-5 FE school is 2 years of active duty training and has one of the highest washout rates in the USAF. The C-5 FE is a walking library of systems knowledge and requires A LOT of continuos book time. I have seen C-5 Crew Chiefs, ex C-141 FEs, ex Navy F14 RIOs (yes prior naval officers that gave up the bar for the stripes to fly in FRED) wash out of this program. One thing for sure however, is if you pass this school, every other airplane in the world will be cakewalk to learn. If you want to be close to the capacity of a pilot go for a KC-10 or C-130 slot -- they are more involved up front -- the C-5 world you will be too busy at your panel, trust me.


Try it my friend, worse thing they could do is say no. Let me know if I may be of further assistance.

Aim High, Semper Per Diem
A C-5 Flight Engineer