How to Become an Air Transportation Apprentice in the Air Force
The U.S. Air Force has the world's most technologically advanced weaponry and personnel. But the Air Force isn't all about destructive weapons. In wartime or peace, the job of an Air Transportation Apprentice keeps the military moving. Whether loading a cargo airplane with "beans and bullets" or helping military families go on a leisure flight, if it flies, air transportation personnel help get it airborne.
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Instructions
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Graduate from high school. The Air Force only hires people with at least a high school education.
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Visit an Air Force recruiter. Check your phone book or visit the Air Force's official website to locate a recruiter near you (see Resources below).
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Take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. If you didn't take it in high school, a recruiter can arrange an appointment for you to take it. The ASVAB is an assessment of your skill level in different categories.
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Take a military entrance physical. Again, your recruiter will set this up. The military physical is an evaluation of your overall health, and the examiner will go through a checklist to make sure you make the grade to be a member of the Air Force.
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Select the air transportation career field. Once the physical is complete, you will be given the opportunity to select an Air Force job. Air Transportation is one of the most popular career fields in the Air Force. At 5 1/2 weeks long, it also has one of the shortest schools.
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Attend basic training. Once you select your Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) in the air transportation career field, you'll select the years of commitment and other details of your contract with the Air Force. From there, you'll be given a date to attend basic training. Once you graduate basic training, you'll be sent to the Air Transportation Apprentice school.
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Complete the Air Transportation Apprentice school. During your attendance, you'll learn how to process passengers and cargo, physically set up and break down cargo pallets and load and unload aircraft. Once comfortable in your apprentice status, you'll progress toward the job of Air Transportation Journeyman.
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Tips & Warnings
Study for the ASVAB. The Air Force is the most demanding for strong ASVAB scores.
Don't be discouraged if you're colorblind. The air transportation career field is one career field in the Air Force in which colorblindness is not a disqualifying factor.
During your military career, serving in a war zone is very likely.
