U.S. Air Force

Depending on where I was stationed at the time the work load varied. For my qualification you have to be able to multitask and make critical decisions quickly. There are a lot of time you have to manage multiple schedules for either personnel or equipment maintenance. The schedules for personnel include many aspect so being organized is critical. Each person had to maintain at least two different qualifications plus many additional duties that had to be accomplished each day. During a typical day as the lead scheduler there were lots training exercises and medical appointments that I had to ensure were met for over 300 personnel at the squadron. I learned lots of time management skills as well as being very familiar with Microsoft office programs since I had to write countless emails and create spread sheets as well as briefings for leadership. The hardest part of the job was being away from my family during deployments and exercises, however it was truly rewarding serving such a great country and meeting all of the people that had made the same decision to join that I had. The comradery that existed between myself and the people I worked with created a great sense of family. As I progressed in rank I learned how to lead and manage those under me. It was truly and honor to serve in the United States Air Force.

What a wonderful experience. Where else can you work with a diverse culture of people, see and interact with people all over the world, learn the most technological machinery and weapon systems and learn incredible people skills while traveling all over the world? This was truly an amazing experience.
My job was structured like a typical 8-4:30 until it was time to fly a mission taking cargo and / or troops to the outer reaches of the world. I learned so much about military operations, how to supervise people while managing assets, how different cultures can interact in a positive and efficient manner. My coworkers and I developed a family bond that enabled us to accomplish any task that presented itself. The hardest part of the job was balancing military duties with school and family life.

a typical day within my time in the canadian forces as a helicopter mechanic was never the same everyday. we did perform scheduled and emergency maintenance on the fleet but also had secondary and tertiary duties being within the forces. i could be in afghanistan  one day and canada the next. it was quite a thrilling job.

i did learn that with the incoming oil jobs within alberta that it was very hard if not impossible to compete financially with the inflation that took place very quickly within alberta in the early 2000's.

management and chain of command is key within the forces and I have little to say for management other than sometimes i think the wrong individual was promoted to these positions through name call or favortism.

the hardest part of my job was making very little and it was hard to save money.

the most enjoyable part of this job was the travelling and wrenching of course.

Being in Civil Engineers, working a Heavy construction equipment operator learning and operating vehicles, always preparing for conflicts. While learning middle management by managing people and machinery, improvising when needed to get the desired result.  Supervising and controlled of 70% of all Civil Engineer vehicles, ensuring vehicles are operating and meeting all manufactures nomenclature, and to a larger scale during operation Desert Shield and Storm. Supervising maintenance and other branch personnel while maintaining on base vehicles as well.

Pros: Uniformity, semblance of brotherhood depending on coworkers, completely free health/vision/dental/mental care, paid regardless of hours worked

Cons: Mechanic jobs (crew chief esp.) environment is much different from office/"nonner" work environment. Maintainers work longer hours, less breaks for lunch or in general, usually working outside, everyone hates their lives and makes your life worse, terrible management usually, forms of hazing, paid regardless of hours worked (sometimes working 12's every day of the week)

Tip for being Maintainer: Get. Your. A&P. License. 40k+ more moneys can be made a year in the civilian world with it.  

Better Tip: Don't be a maintainer. Do finance or something easy or don't join.

I would receive a weapon from the armory everyday, Then go off to a mobile, stationary, support or monitoring facility post. I learned how to multitask, work under pressure, meet physical demands and work with people that speak different languages and come different areas. The management is really great and takes a personal interest in everyones life. The hardest part is being away from family. The most enjoyable part of the job is being able to help people and travel.

Just like any job it all depends on the people you work with, I have worked with plenty of awesome people and learned many things over the years. I was with the Air Force for ten years, was stationed at multiple places, and met tons of interesting people across the world. Some days were great other days make you want to just get up and leave. Its all what you make of it and I tried the make the best of everything and every day I could.

Typical day on the line are 12 hour days flying at least 24 sorties a day if not more, always doing forms review or maintenance on the side if not launching or recovering the jets. Very fast paced environment on the line. Hardest part of the job is being pushed to complete maintenance in a somewhat fast pace to ensure the aircraft can fly the next day. Most enjoyable part of the job is satisfaction in completing hard maintenance.

As a military veteran, I continue to use positive behavioral traits learned from basic training and service life through the ongoing education I received while on active duty, such as always working towards common goals.

I loved what I did and who I supported at this job. But I didn't like having to do the work of others who believed that their ranks (from Amn up) deemed them uncapable of putting forth any effort. There is an unwillingness to learn, teach, treat and WORK. Laziness and complacency are rampant.
 This is not a WPAFB hospital thing, this is an AF "thing". 

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