Air Force seeks career enlisted aviators

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Opportunities for Airmen to become enlisted aviators are taking off as nine aircrew specialties are opening up for retraining.

The Air Force’s senior enlisted aviator said more than 360 training slots are available for enlisted Airmen in ranks senior airman through master sergeant.

Chief Master Sgt. Tim Steffen, enlisted aviator career field manager, said the service has been aggressively recruiting enlisted fliers through several avenues, including notices on monthly leave and earnings statements and “head hunters.”

“Our recruitment drive has quickly gained momentum, and considering all the fantastic opportunities available, it’s hard to believe so many positions remain unfilled,” Chief Steffen said.

First-term Airmen assigned to units within the continental United States may not apply before the first duty day of the month in which they complete 35 months of their enlistment (59 months for six-year enlistees). They must apply before the last duty day of the 43rd month of the enlistment (67 months for six-year enlistees). Airmen stationed overseas may apply between the 15th and ninth month before the date they are eligible to return providing they will enter the 35th month of service (59th for six-year enlistees) on or before their return date.

Many of the retraining slots became available with the release of the fiscal 2005 noncommissioned officer retraining program, the chief said.

“Flying duties are incredibly challenging and extremely rewarding,” he said. “Along with the chance to fly all over the world, another great reason for becoming a CEA is the incentive pay.”

CEAs are entitled to a monthly incentive pay based on the number of years of aviation service, not rank. Specifically, Airmen with four years or less of aviation service receive $150 per month. Airmen with more than four years earn an extra $225, and those with more than eight years earn $350. Airmen with more than 14 years of aviation service collect $400.

Positions are available for in-flight refueling specialists, flight engineers, loadmasters, airborne communications and electronics specialists, airborne battle management systems specialists, airborne mission systems specialists, flight attendants, aerial gunners and airborne cryptologic linguists.

Contact the local military personnel flight for more information, or visit the dot-mil restricted CEA Web site at https://www.xo.hq.af.mil/xoo/xoot/xoota/CEA/cea.htm.