Career Enlisted Aviators job fair Thursday

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS --  Dyess is scheduled to hold Career Enlisted Aviator job fairs Thursday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the 317th Airlift Group auditorium to inform junior enlisted servicemembers of opportunities available in CEA career fields. 

Some CEA jobs the Air Force is trying to recruit for include in-flight refueling specialist, loadmaster, flight engineer, airborne mission systems specialist, airborne cryptologic linguist, and flight attendant. 

"Career Enlisted Aviation offers some exciting one-of-a-kind career broadening options for all Airmen," said Master Sgt. James Hunt, 39th Airlift Squadron acting first sergeant and job fair coordinator. "Even if you're not thinking about cross-training, I'm sure you know someone who is. Everyone - from supervisors to Airmen - need to come out and see what's available so they can understand what we offer." 

Tech. Sgt. Joey Link, 39th AS flight engineer, has cross-trained twice and spent time on special duty as a recruiter, and still managed to test well enough to make E-6 in the 10 years he's been in the Air Force. 

He said having a direct, front-line job in the Air Force is rewarding because he has the opportunity to directly impact the mission overseas. 

"I've always thought about doing flight engineering, but it's not an entry-level job, so I did maintenance for a while instead," Sergeant Link said. 

He was previously a B-52 flying crew chief before recruiting and cross-training to be a B-1 crew chief in the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dyess. 

He then chose flight engineering and joined the 39th AS. 

"I've always loved flying, so this job is perfect for me," he said. "Even though I came from careers where I was working on aircraft, there are people in flight engineering who cross-trained from supply or security forces - pretty much every AFSC you can think of." 

He said all first-term Airmen have the opportunity to cross-train, but the career fields they may retrain into may be limited because of the changing needs of the Air Force. 

Sergeant Hunt agreed, "All grades, from airman 1st class to senior master sergeant, are eligible; we're not targeting any one in particular. While 'force-shaped' and over-manned career fields are areas we all focus on, when the retraining issue comes up anyone - even those in critical career fields - may apply for retraining." 

Completing the paperwork necessary to retrain has also become easier, since more of it is done online now, and not through military personnel flights. 

"One of the main benefits to cross-training into a CEA job is job security," Sergeant Link said. "Highly needed career fields offer more stability. It's easier to come in and stay in with a CEA AFSC." 

For more information about the CEA job fair, call Sergeant Hunt at 696-2783.