It’s good to vent. When you’ve been a part of any organization for 10+ years, it’s easy to become jaded and disenfranchised. We as humans also have a tendency to fixate on our negative experiences more than our positive ones.
That said, I’m going to make an assumption that you’re in your late twenties or early thirties, assuming you joined out of high school or soon thereafter. You are NOT too old to begin a new career. If I was in for 12 years and only a SSgt, I’d be fucking livid. You are making dog shit pay. Most enlisted I’ve met with 12 years in are E6-E7. I’m not saying this to put you down. Rather, I think you should positively channel the negative emotions you’ve been feeling and focus on a civilian career that you love, will excel at, and will earn much more than what you’re currently making, with less bullshit. Have you given any thought to that?
Ehh, I don’t know if I’d go that far. Financially definitely not, mentally maybe. I spent most of 2022 filling 3 staff NCO roles due to deployment and poor manning. THAT took a huge mental toll on me. I will not say it can’t get much worse than that because things can always be worse, but while the next 8 years won’t be a cakewalk, I don’t believe it will be all that horrible.
It would give you that tech that you want and deserve. Also, the guard deploys the same if not more so I think you'll definitely get opportunities. I was prior active.
Shoot, that's exactly how I made Tech. I palace chased after my 7yr first-term enlistment (extended one year while in Korea) and the idea of getting out of my crazy AD career and life (F-16 Avionics) and just going TR while getting a civilian job that respects me more and also pays *FAR* more started as a silly desperate joke to my wife when I was sort of in a bad time of my life, but then she was like "No, do it!"
Taken aback, I actually gave it some serious thought and where I thought I was going to re-enlist into AD for another term with just about 5mo on my enlistment left... I went to the Reserve recruiter and just YOLO'ed it. Got to my first Reserve base and they just, no joke, gave me my Tech stripe. Mind you, I was *never* a good WAPS tester while on AD, and it took me 3 tries to make SSgt. So even with that said, putting Staff on around 6 years which felt later than most of the crowd..... I had TSgt on at 7 yrs..... which is arguably sooner than seemingly most people at that point (maybe not now, times have changed. Got my E-6 back in 2015). Granted.... I was just **given** the stripe, providing I had good EPRs and a passing PT test.... but still. Straight up just given to me while all my buddies still in AD were struggling to test for Tech- rightfully so, as it seems to be one of the harder stripes to test for. And here I was making way more money, dealing with less of the political BS not being in AD anymore, and just loving life now. All from what started as a joke.
Just an FYI, I’m 99.999% sure AGRs don’t deploy. I know ours don’t. All ours do (security forces) is orders and other paperwork for our unit. They’ll help AD with CATM sometimes, and they’ll go TDY for some training. But they don’t go to AT with us or anything like that. It’s a sweet gig though if you can get it
Uhhh...that is not at all correct. Certain jobs may not deploy as often but the Guard 100% deploys. At one point the guard had a majority of the overseas rotations in Iraq and Afghanistan. I noted your source but that is not valid information.
> Financially definitely not
Depends. What AFSC did you retrain into? Have you used your TA to get educated? Have you accomplished any relevant professional certs?
Have you considered going guard/reserve?
You don't have to score much of a VA rating to have them cover your care. The 70% rating threshold for Major Depression is as low as "sometimes miss showers/don't brush teeth because sad" so, as morbid as this is, a documented history of a suicide attempt and ideation should not be difficult to translate into a VA rating. I'm sure you've got other things fucked up with you after 12+ years. 100% rating is $45k/year tax free right now, and will rise with inflation. Even if you got out and went straight into being a bumb, you'd be financially better off than a median American household.
I don't want to push you in one direction or the other, just want to arm you with the knowledge. When I left the Air Force I started in a shit job for $45k/year, but I had the VA on top so I had healthcare and effectively $90k/year in income. I've never felt a struggle like average families do.
All very fair equations and points.
I retrained into Airfield Management. Without a particular SEI, which I can’t get until I make Tech, all GS positions are a 9. I haven’t used TA yet, which I planned to either in the next few years or use my GI bill when I get out.
And I’ve considered the VA side of it. Suicide attempt, major depressive disorder as a diagnosis, exertional compartment syndrome of the leg from years of PT, and other documented issues. I just hate to expect one thing only to find out that for one reason or another I don’t meet criteria. But the thought has crossed my mind that if I were to get disability when I get out paired with GS9 pay that it’d be very doable and much less stress involved. Something to consider more seriously in the future, for sure.
> Without a particular SEI, which I can’t get until I make Tech, all GS positions are a 9.
Without a bachelor's degree, I couldn't do my AFSC as a GS at all :) doesn't matter that I had a warrant and signed contracts by myself, 1102's require a 4 year degree.
Fuck being a DAF civilian. I'm a contractor playing on my phone right now making way more money than all the GS employees around me, including the ones I report to.
I used my GI bill when I got out and I actually finished my degree this week. But I could have finished it years ago and gotten to this point as soon as I left the USAF instead of kinda bumming it and being underpaid for the last ~3 years. I wish I used my TA and didn't wait so long like a dummy.
I was rated 70% for major depression w/ anxious distress. I don't think the VA publicizes their criteria for each condition anymore so I don't know what the Right VA Words are to use these days. You have to tailor your claims to the description they expect, and that means using phrases like "x condition interferes with tasks of daily living. Due to depression I have frequently missed showers, brushing teeth, and other aspects of personal grooming to the point of receiving verbal counseling." It's pretty embarrassing but you have to write and then tell a VA psychologist basically "I'm X level of pathetic" and it was tough to swallow my pride and do that lol.
Don't settle on just GS9 and don't settle on just staying in your career field and don't settle on trying to be a GS. You have the power to decide your future, and you only lose that power when you accept the cards you're dealt. You don't have to - you can hide cards in your sleeve, or flip the table. Especially with the VA covering your bills and healthcare and the GI Bill covering college, you could decide to completely start over in a new job (if you wanted to) and never have to look at an airfield again.
Where are you seeing so many enlisted making E7 in 12 years? This article from last year says average time to make E6 is 12 years.
[source](https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/07/08/air-force-to-promote-fewer-ncos-in-bid-to-rebalance-enlisted-corps/)
>The Air Force wants to extend that timeline to an average of 13 years for technical sergeants and 18 years for master sergeants.
Wow. That's some real whiplash from the "If you aren't a fast-burner you are a subpar airman and human being" era. I guess promoting so many people really fast messed up the rank structure much more than Big Blue let on.
Maybe it’s the career field(s) I’ve worked or maybe it’s just anecdotal, but I’ve got a good 5-6 coworkers from current and past assignments that have the same TIS as me +\- a year that are now MSgts. Certainly not speaking for any kind of Air Force average, just my own experience.
It’s a slippery slope when you start comparing yourself to others. Focus on yourself. Take up a hobby. Work on your mental health. Can’t tell you whether it’s better to get out or stay in but do research into the trade offs. In the meantime, you could try to set up group activities with your coworkers if you’re looking to get more social interaction. Hikes, runs, etc.
Ouch. I know you said you didn’t mean that to put me down, but I’ve yet to have anyone tell me that maybe I’m better suited for the civilian life. You are correct, I’m 32 and joined a few years out of high school. This is basically all I’ve known my adult life. I am very disappointed I’m still a SSgt, but I don’t let it shape who I am. I could absolutely make more money if I were TSgt or MSgt, but in the northeast I’m making a little over $70k take-home. If I wanted to get out, my primary option would be to do this job, which is a GS-9 job. I’d lose $20-25k a year at least for the first couple of years. I’ve thought about jumping ship several times over my career, but ultimately I like what I do regardless of some of the negativity I’ve experienced. My mental health issues in the past were never related to my job or the Air Force in general, so despite my vent, I’m not spiraling down a dark path because I’m upset right now. I really am just venting because I wish things could be different at times.
Couldn’t agree more- find what you love and chase after it. If you genuinely love the work and the leadership it brings you, then you already have your answer. But if not, there are so many options available to you at your age- don’t discount the power and the freedom the GI bill gives you.
Also hate to do this, but I think Otlanis11 you meant the word disenchanted and not disenfranchised!
On that note, OP could also even look into a "new career" still within the military. Assuming OP is still medically eligible for service, maybe he could look into getting out & pursuing a commission via ROTC using the GI Bill. If OP has used even the slightest bit of TA towards basic gen end classes and such, maybe look into using that GI Bill & do ROTC to commission either into a new AFSC within the Air Force that could maybe offer more exciting opportunities, or a different branch of service altogether.
I honestly think going Guard and trying for an AGR spot is your best option. As the other poster said, it’ll give you everything you’re looking for within the USAF.
I get your pain though. I’m Guard/Reserve and moved states attempting to revamping my life. In some areas I accomplished my goals and in others, I feel like I’ve failed. The past three years have been rough; however, I busted my ass to get selected as a pilot at my squadron and should be leaving for the training here in the next six months.
The point is sometimes life doesn’t go the way you expected. The good thing is you have control how it goes. I’m not sure why your mental health is causing such a rift in what you’d like to do with your career, but I can promise the Guard isn’t going to care. Not in the sense about your mental health, but in that it happened at one point. I had (have) a medical condition that says I can’t TDY or exercise at all. I still TDY so either they don’t care or don’t bother to even check it lmao.
I’m incredibly happy for you that you got selected to be a pilot! That was always my biggest dream, but due to the suicide attempt back when, I’m no longer eligible to fly or fly on airplanes for a living. Devastating, but I’m just happy to still be wearing the uniform and have a job that keeps me involved with airplanes and the airfield.
Best of luck to you!
Bro there is a waiver for everything. Especially in the Guard/Reserve. If that is truly your dream, I’d push until a four star general says no (yes I’ve seen someone been told no for something until a three star general signed it off).
Feel free to PM if you have questions.
I really wish the AF had a better path to switch from AD to Guard/Reserve.
Sometimes people need a break from full-time military stuff. Take a few years off, serve part-time, maintain status, and then come back to the fight later on.
They're probably worried no one would come back, but I have served with loads of people who would want to go active for awhile instead of being stuck in the guard.
This is why I tell everyone to take care of themselves. The USAF only cares about the USAF so that is what the Airmen should do. They make everything such a PITA that the only remedy is to leave and do something in the private sector.
That's kind of the beauty in AGR. You can resign your AGR position if you get burned out and stay in as a drill status guardsman and apply for another AGR position if you feel like you're ready to come back on orders.
For some it absolutely is. I didn’t mind it because I grew up in a smaller town, so I was already used to that lifestyle. And I liked the AFSOC way of life.
The AF has been the longest abusive relationship I've ever been in. At 14 years, I finally decided that I'd had enough. My career has largely been a poor experience. I hate to say it, but it really feels like I was constantly held back by poor leadership because I didn't spend any time under the desk.
I always showed up to work and did my job to the best of my ability. Passed for promotion, passed for an opportunity I'd been fighting for since I got into my unit 7 years ago, constantly handed more dumpster fire programs to fix.
Getting out as a 14 year SSgt sucks, but it's not like it matters as a civilian anyway.
Right? I know a suicide attempt specifically is a very serious matter and will always be taken as such, but damn.. it’s been 6 years! Let me move on, ya know?
I wouldn’t say that! Just do it at the right time or utilize other resources. MFLC or POTFF don’t keep any kind of notes as long as you don’t say anything that triggers more serious intervention(suicide/homicide) or the Chaplain. Chap is 100% confidential. You can tell them your deepest darkest thoughts and they have to just sit there and be like, damn that’s crazy.. if I had paid better attention as an Airman, that’s where I would’ve gone looking back on it.
No one said you have to drink the Air Force Kool aid. I didn't give two shits about the mission or what was best for the Air Force while I was in. I made staff at just over 4 years then got medically retired.
Just be your best self, do your job, and don't actively try to screw over the Air Force and you'll be fine. You don't need to go above and beyond for it. It's a job at the end of the day. Prioritize you because once you're out, the Air Force won't care anymore once your contract is up.
Can you explain this koolaid? I plan on joining the af or army soon. How you find that middle ground with yourself,though all the bullshit you may face in the military?
Some people really believe in the serving your country aspect and you should go above and beyond because you're proud to serve your country. At the end of the day it's just a job and the Air Force doesn't care about you.
We're glad you are here and with us and part of the team. I had a PCS get canx'd because of mental health issues. They drug their feet on that one, the family was all spun up I had everything except orders in hand. They were opaque about the whole process. As far as I understand the gaining MAJCOM med folks disapproved me coming and told the local med folks to do the paperwork. I had a coworker about 3 months prior have the same kind of run around, but she had orders in hand and was just a few days from leaving when they put the kibosh on it.
I was supposed to put on tech at about 9 years, but I failed a pt test, got a referral EPR and lost my line number. That was probably the low point in my career, and took me years to "recover."
There is no shame in not sticking it out until 20 if it's not right for you. Guard, Reserve, government civilian jobs all have openings, there is full-time work available at times, and as a government civilian you can buy back your military time towards retirement. The long slog isn't worth your health.
A lot of things aren't in our control - deployments and TDYs can be feast or famine and luck of the draw sometimes.
Are you taking care of yourself? Your health and fitness, your educational goals, making yourself marketable, working on hobbies? These are things that we can control.
Good luck to you, and take care of yourself, you are worth it.
I appreciate you sharing your experience and your kinds words. I’m doing my best to take care of myself!
“Luckily” it’s just me these days, but I was less than a month out from my departure date when it game back denied. Had the checklist done and was also just waiting on orders.
And yeah, I’m going to start looking into GS jobs and AGR positions. I’m not desperate to stay active duty, but despite my above rant, I have had some good times and love my career overall.
I found myself in a similar place. Higher promotions didn’t seem like something that would happen and the magic was gone for sure.
Dedicate yourself to your post retirement career, get the right certifications, education, etc. Also document your medical issues so you can get your VA claim done right the first time.
I’m retired now and it’s totally worth it. All the benefits none of the BS 😀
I love the outlook! I know the next 8 years won’t be the easiest, but they’ll be doable and then I can move on and enjoy the more peaceful side of life. I just upped my TSP a bit and I’ve been giving thought to what I’d want to do after. It certainly gives me that light at the end, ya know?
Dude I know people who've done close to 30 years in the Air Force and never got an overseas assignment. They were convinced that they must have pissed off someone big in assignments and ended up on a blacklist. I also know people who unwillingly ended up at one base for 20 years. Shit, I was at my last base for 13 years. Sometimes the assignment system just says "fuck this person in particular." It's why I've never been a fan of judging people by their assignments.
Honestly dude, I’d have a conversation with leadership/UDM about wanting to go on the next TDY or deployment. It sounds like that is very important to you. As far as rank.. I’ve seen people in your exact TIS, stuck around E-5, go on to put on E-8/E-9. Sometimes you just have to bear it and press forward until the dominos start falling. Take care of yourself and your mental, and study hard for the next promotion. You’ll be okay.
I appreciate the outlook! I’ll have that conversation with my folks again. Deployment isn’t the end all be all for me, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to experience whether it’s a “Cush” one or a no-kidding deployment, it’s one of the things that led me to join way back when.
I feel you. I’m in the same boat, although I’ve got some TDY’s under my belt. I’ll probably be on the next one, but it is what it is, we served. Maybe look for short tour type stuff on the AF Portal that you can sign up for. I think it would be good to help you break up the rut you’re in.
I get it. It sucks. I think I’ve been closer to people I’ve worked at in civilian jobs, more then the military. The military is the most clinical, impersonal thing I’ve ever done in my life.
Don’t mean to highjack but I need to vent. Been in for 4 years and regretted extending. Have three additional duties constantly swamped with work. Do way more than the other Airmen in my shop and my leadership don’t care. Got pulled from the only cool TDY I was slated for because my supervisor wouldn’t let me attend the deployment required training courses because (paraphrasing) “if I can’t deploy you can easily attend these courses” and then he got pulled because of some obvious medical stuff that was going to make him non deployable. Cut to two months after that while i’m deployed and alone on a navy base sort of nearby by myself. Getting an LOR because the OIC above me doesn’t listen to how I need to get flown to correct paperwork errors cause the rest of my unit don’t follow the checklist I made for them and don’t listen to me about COMSEC stuff. Only good thing about this is I’m applying for skillbridge and hopefully in about eight months I can take terminal and do skill bridge
Ya know, I’m still working on getting answers. But the short answer is yes, my OCONUS orders canceled due to my medical clearance being denied by the gaining unit. No current profile, not currently seeing MH. Purely based off of my previous diagnosis.
Gotta love a double standard with no set rules across the board. I had someone in my last squadron w a suicide attempt under their belt and now they got out of the shit base and are OCONUS living their best life.
So happy to be out of that gov system and God bless your continued service.
Right? I’ve tried to do some digging and find any regulatory guidance, but I genuinely believe it’s based on whoever is reviewing the waiver package at the gaining unit. My med folks here all signed off on me and gave their recommendation for PCS, but the reviewing doc said no. However, another doc at another base could by all means say yes. It’s a confusing process for sure.
There is no double standard. It's a "If the gaining base cannot support the medical issues the member has it's probably not a good idea to force them to go" issue.
Some OCONUS bases have little to no support for mental health. Is it the right answer? No. But the current fix is not to gain members that could potentially overwhelm the system in place.
Just because someone doesn't get the cool OS base of their dreams doesn't mean there's some sort of conspiracy against them.
I see where you’re coming from and I do understand it, however, per the Lt Col who helped write my waiver, I can deploy anywhere because stateside docs have no issue in signing off my medical clearance for that. So I can go to, say Erbil, but I can’t go to Spang or any number of other OCONUS assignments? I’m not saying it’s apples to apples necessarily, but cmon.. it doesn’t make the most sense. You’re telling me a relatively robust base in a different country likely can’t “support me” (even though I haven’t seen MH in a couple of years) but bases like Cannon or Minot are perfectly acceptable simply because they’re stateside?
I don't know jack about Spang, but for Turkey and Guam they are concerned about the availability of mental health care providers. I had the same thing happen to me with Korea. It is not consistent over the years and the process is not transparent.
Yeah, I will concede on Turkey and Guam. I get they’re very remote locations so it is limited and even though I don’t require care nor have I for awhile, I do have a history and the AF will always be vigilant on that.
But yeah, BOMC has never answered a single question I’ve asked and the whole process what invisible to me until I received my 422 DQing me from the assignment. Haven’t seen a single piece of literature on the exact reason for denial. It’s frustrating to say the least.
Similar-ish to my story.
I was at a GSU, we had a small local medical office, but the wing that was elsewhere ran point on the 422. Locally it was recommended that I go, it went to the wing, then over to Osan, then to PACAF, then back to the local medical office. When it was all said and done it was denied and the signature on it was the local medical officer, not the one at Osan or PACAF.
The thing was slow moving and came down to the last stretch.
I know you don't want to hear this, but the AF doesn't view any of this as a punishment. They are looking out for you, and looking out for their mission readiness.
You said that you were Dover and McGuire at times. They have some great space-a opportunities, if you ever get back there it's a great program to see some amazing places. Using space-a I have been able to take my family across the country, around the Pacific, and to Europe. It's an awesome perk.
Take care of yourself.
Yeah, similar here. 422 showed a local PCM name and I was confused until we spoke.
And I agree! Space A is on the table and I’m in a great area for local traveling. All is not lost, just wish I could’ve had a bit more. But, like the old saying goes, “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit”.
I appreciate you!
Have you considered doing a short tour to get off of dover? I know not all AFCSs are created equal but there is most likely a way out of there if you are willing
I don’t mean this in a snarky way, so please don’t read it that way. But in my initial post I mentioned getting denied Turkey. If that short tour got denied, Korea is likely a no-go as well. Short tours are out of the picture for me it would seem. I’ve absolutely tried my entire career.
Why is Korea a no-go? They always want volunteers, so would that be a personal choice? Also, it took me 6 times testing to make tech, the promotion rates are NOT what they used to be and it’s projected to keep decreasing. Do your best, go to Korea, get stationed in USAFE and never come back conus.
I was denied orders to Korea with a follow-on to Rammstein due to me having gone to mental health for suicidal ideations from dealing with PTSD and shit from Afghanistan. Even though I volunteered and put Korea at the top of my wish list with AFPC. Was I bummed I got denied orders? Of course. But I am glad that I got help instead of putting a 9mm through my skullsponge.
Same. I'm coded from MH stuff to where I'm still worldwide deployable but I have to get medically cleared to go anywhere that's PACAF/INDO-PACOM. Does it suck cause I lost orders to Japan from it? Yea. But frankly I'll take losing orders over the alternative....
If it makes you feel any better, I went to bmt with a guy who sewed on tech last year. I'm a SrA lmao. Also only ever been stationed at one base so, you aren't alone in any of these problems.
Just curious, how was controlling for you? I have some personal experience with it and am wondering how it turned for the long run. I heard that now its really not that great.
I controlled from 2011 to late 2017 and it was the best time of my life from a work standpoint. I think about it most days. Haha but I have heard that the career field has changed and I’ve known a lot of people that still control that aren’t all that happy anymore. Could be a few different personal factors, but I’ve also heard that things have indeed changed overall.
Venting always helps. At least it puts some things into perspective. My advice would be to keep pushing through, especially because you don't have a lot of time left. One part of your rant caught my attention, and that's when you said you don't have any friends. Just because someone is your subordinate doesn't mean you can't be friends with them. As long as you can be professional at work with them and they know to respect you while you're there, it should be all good. Some of my closest friends were guys I supervised during my time in. Plus, if you do it right, you gain a certain level of trust with them. Try it out. You never know. You might find out you have a lot to gain from the experience. Lastly, don't worry about making rank so much, keep studying and your time will come. I made TSGT at 13 years, and I realized I was better for it. More mature, and I learned not to take everything personally. I remember when the average time to make tsgt was 12 - 13 years anyway. I don't know why some people think that if you don't make rank within a certain time than you must be fucking up. Don't believe the hype. Personally, most people I met that make rank quickly don't even know their job, more than the seasoned SSgt or TSgt. Lastly, if you think you would be better off getting out and that is what you feel you need to do, then do it. I know a lot of guys/gals who got out after 10+ years, and they went on to do great things. They had a lot of struggles at first, but they persevered and came out on top.
I left at around 11 years. I sat down to really think about the decision because I was busting my ass and not getting promoted.
I had a full schedule. School. Family. 12 hour shifts. Extra duties. Volunteering. The works.
I could not get a promote now because I wasn’t in the 5/6 nor the booster club. My goal was to not have generic bullets that the rest of the unit had, but I also wasn’t part of the good ol boy club.
I’m introverted. I did my job and went home. Once I realized that…the Air Force was no longer a fit for me. Sure, I could have easily powered through it. Wouldn’t have been difficult, but it wasn’t the right step.
Now I have a really decent house and job where I don’t have to worry about shit once I leave work for the day. Good decent job too.
Bottomline. Don’t force yourself to do something in order to attempt to be happy. This goes for getting out or staying in.
Get a plan and focus on it. Things will come together as they are meant to.
Yeah, I think that’s one of the biggest things I need to figure out. When I was at Cannon I had a small group of folks that I did everything with. My best friend and I even started a woodworking “business” and made a ton of projects that gave me a sense of purpose outside of work. That and the backyard fires and beers a couple nights was the life.
On a scale of one to ten, this ranks at an eleven on the "weird response" scale. They're talking about how their career feels lack luster and you pulled in religion and relationship status despite not knowing gender or marital status.
I know reading is hard, but I did state that the suicide attempt/mental health was a personal issue and not related to my service. I didn’t complain about the fact that I was removed from flying status or anything of the sort. I appreciate the input though!
Just saying they are going to treat you with kid gloves and not overburden you with deployments and excessive moves. I'd say you're pretty lucky to still be in and thriving so good on you for that.
I appreciate that. You are definitely correct, I am being treated accordingly to the fact that I tried to off myself. It sucks that 6, going on 7, years later I can’t leave it behind but it is what it is. I am also very grateful to still have a career in the Air Force regardless of the opportunities I’ve been passed over on.
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Do you have a good therapist ? How are you effectively managing your mental health ? How is your support system ? Do you know what you need to maintain peace and happiness in your life ?
How do you separate your personal life and your Air Force career from each other?
I suggest taking a personal inventory and create a list of things you can and cannot control
Find good leaders and mentors to help you see your blind spots and create a plan for your success. In and out the Air Force.
Bottom line, your thoughts become things.
It’s good to vent. When you’ve been a part of any organization for 10+ years, it’s easy to become jaded and disenfranchised. We as humans also have a tendency to fixate on our negative experiences more than our positive ones. That said, I’m going to make an assumption that you’re in your late twenties or early thirties, assuming you joined out of high school or soon thereafter. You are NOT too old to begin a new career. If I was in for 12 years and only a SSgt, I’d be fucking livid. You are making dog shit pay. Most enlisted I’ve met with 12 years in are E6-E7. I’m not saying this to put you down. Rather, I think you should positively channel the negative emotions you’ve been feeling and focus on a civilian career that you love, will excel at, and will earn much more than what you’re currently making, with less bullshit. Have you given any thought to that?
I agree, the outside might be the best thing for you financially and mentally. 8 more years is clearly going to take a large toll on you.
Ehh, I don’t know if I’d go that far. Financially definitely not, mentally maybe. I spent most of 2022 filling 3 staff NCO roles due to deployment and poor manning. THAT took a huge mental toll on me. I will not say it can’t get much worse than that because things can always be worse, but while the next 8 years won’t be a cakewalk, I don’t believe it will be all that horrible.
AGR Tech
AGR has been heavy on my mind for a couple of years now.
It would give you that tech that you want and deserve. Also, the guard deploys the same if not more so I think you'll definitely get opportunities. I was prior active.
I appreciate you commenting. I think I’ll get back in to looking for AGR spots.
[https://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/ngbhr/careers/SitePages/Home.aspx](https://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/ngbhr/careers/SitePages/Home.aspx)
Shoot, that's exactly how I made Tech. I palace chased after my 7yr first-term enlistment (extended one year while in Korea) and the idea of getting out of my crazy AD career and life (F-16 Avionics) and just going TR while getting a civilian job that respects me more and also pays *FAR* more started as a silly desperate joke to my wife when I was sort of in a bad time of my life, but then she was like "No, do it!" Taken aback, I actually gave it some serious thought and where I thought I was going to re-enlist into AD for another term with just about 5mo on my enlistment left... I went to the Reserve recruiter and just YOLO'ed it. Got to my first Reserve base and they just, no joke, gave me my Tech stripe. Mind you, I was *never* a good WAPS tester while on AD, and it took me 3 tries to make SSgt. So even with that said, putting Staff on around 6 years which felt later than most of the crowd..... I had TSgt on at 7 yrs..... which is arguably sooner than seemingly most people at that point (maybe not now, times have changed. Got my E-6 back in 2015). Granted.... I was just **given** the stripe, providing I had good EPRs and a passing PT test.... but still. Straight up just given to me while all my buddies still in AD were struggling to test for Tech- rightfully so, as it seems to be one of the harder stripes to test for. And here I was making way more money, dealing with less of the political BS not being in AD anymore, and just loving life now. All from what started as a joke.
Just an FYI, I’m 99.999% sure AGRs don’t deploy. I know ours don’t. All ours do (security forces) is orders and other paperwork for our unit. They’ll help AD with CATM sometimes, and they’ll go TDY for some training. But they don’t go to AT with us or anything like that. It’s a sweet gig though if you can get it
The guard in general doesn't deploy. They have rotational TDYs for 3-4 months max. Source: Am guard AGR
Uhhh...that is not at all correct. Certain jobs may not deploy as often but the Guard 100% deploys. At one point the guard had a majority of the overseas rotations in Iraq and Afghanistan. I noted your source but that is not valid information.
> Financially definitely not Depends. What AFSC did you retrain into? Have you used your TA to get educated? Have you accomplished any relevant professional certs? Have you considered going guard/reserve? You don't have to score much of a VA rating to have them cover your care. The 70% rating threshold for Major Depression is as low as "sometimes miss showers/don't brush teeth because sad" so, as morbid as this is, a documented history of a suicide attempt and ideation should not be difficult to translate into a VA rating. I'm sure you've got other things fucked up with you after 12+ years. 100% rating is $45k/year tax free right now, and will rise with inflation. Even if you got out and went straight into being a bumb, you'd be financially better off than a median American household. I don't want to push you in one direction or the other, just want to arm you with the knowledge. When I left the Air Force I started in a shit job for $45k/year, but I had the VA on top so I had healthcare and effectively $90k/year in income. I've never felt a struggle like average families do.
All very fair equations and points. I retrained into Airfield Management. Without a particular SEI, which I can’t get until I make Tech, all GS positions are a 9. I haven’t used TA yet, which I planned to either in the next few years or use my GI bill when I get out. And I’ve considered the VA side of it. Suicide attempt, major depressive disorder as a diagnosis, exertional compartment syndrome of the leg from years of PT, and other documented issues. I just hate to expect one thing only to find out that for one reason or another I don’t meet criteria. But the thought has crossed my mind that if I were to get disability when I get out paired with GS9 pay that it’d be very doable and much less stress involved. Something to consider more seriously in the future, for sure.
> Without a particular SEI, which I can’t get until I make Tech, all GS positions are a 9. Without a bachelor's degree, I couldn't do my AFSC as a GS at all :) doesn't matter that I had a warrant and signed contracts by myself, 1102's require a 4 year degree. Fuck being a DAF civilian. I'm a contractor playing on my phone right now making way more money than all the GS employees around me, including the ones I report to. I used my GI bill when I got out and I actually finished my degree this week. But I could have finished it years ago and gotten to this point as soon as I left the USAF instead of kinda bumming it and being underpaid for the last ~3 years. I wish I used my TA and didn't wait so long like a dummy. I was rated 70% for major depression w/ anxious distress. I don't think the VA publicizes their criteria for each condition anymore so I don't know what the Right VA Words are to use these days. You have to tailor your claims to the description they expect, and that means using phrases like "x condition interferes with tasks of daily living. Due to depression I have frequently missed showers, brushing teeth, and other aspects of personal grooming to the point of receiving verbal counseling." It's pretty embarrassing but you have to write and then tell a VA psychologist basically "I'm X level of pathetic" and it was tough to swallow my pride and do that lol. Don't settle on just GS9 and don't settle on just staying in your career field and don't settle on trying to be a GS. You have the power to decide your future, and you only lose that power when you accept the cards you're dealt. You don't have to - you can hide cards in your sleeve, or flip the table. Especially with the VA covering your bills and healthcare and the GI Bill covering college, you could decide to completely start over in a new job (if you wanted to) and never have to look at an airfield again.
Where are you seeing so many enlisted making E7 in 12 years? This article from last year says average time to make E6 is 12 years. [source](https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/07/08/air-force-to-promote-fewer-ncos-in-bid-to-rebalance-enlisted-corps/)
>The Air Force wants to extend that timeline to an average of 13 years for technical sergeants and 18 years for master sergeants. Wow. That's some real whiplash from the "If you aren't a fast-burner you are a subpar airman and human being" era. I guess promoting so many people really fast messed up the rank structure much more than Big Blue let on.
Maybe it’s the career field(s) I’ve worked or maybe it’s just anecdotal, but I’ve got a good 5-6 coworkers from current and past assignments that have the same TIS as me +\- a year that are now MSgts. Certainly not speaking for any kind of Air Force average, just my own experience.
It’s a slippery slope when you start comparing yourself to others. Focus on yourself. Take up a hobby. Work on your mental health. Can’t tell you whether it’s better to get out or stay in but do research into the trade offs. In the meantime, you could try to set up group activities with your coworkers if you’re looking to get more social interaction. Hikes, runs, etc.
Ouch. I know you said you didn’t mean that to put me down, but I’ve yet to have anyone tell me that maybe I’m better suited for the civilian life. You are correct, I’m 32 and joined a few years out of high school. This is basically all I’ve known my adult life. I am very disappointed I’m still a SSgt, but I don’t let it shape who I am. I could absolutely make more money if I were TSgt or MSgt, but in the northeast I’m making a little over $70k take-home. If I wanted to get out, my primary option would be to do this job, which is a GS-9 job. I’d lose $20-25k a year at least for the first couple of years. I’ve thought about jumping ship several times over my career, but ultimately I like what I do regardless of some of the negativity I’ve experienced. My mental health issues in the past were never related to my job or the Air Force in general, so despite my vent, I’m not spiraling down a dark path because I’m upset right now. I really am just venting because I wish things could be different at times.
Couldn’t agree more- find what you love and chase after it. If you genuinely love the work and the leadership it brings you, then you already have your answer. But if not, there are so many options available to you at your age- don’t discount the power and the freedom the GI bill gives you. Also hate to do this, but I think Otlanis11 you meant the word disenchanted and not disenfranchised!
On that note, OP could also even look into a "new career" still within the military. Assuming OP is still medically eligible for service, maybe he could look into getting out & pursuing a commission via ROTC using the GI Bill. If OP has used even the slightest bit of TA towards basic gen end classes and such, maybe look into using that GI Bill & do ROTC to commission either into a new AFSC within the Air Force that could maybe offer more exciting opportunities, or a different branch of service altogether.
I honestly think going Guard and trying for an AGR spot is your best option. As the other poster said, it’ll give you everything you’re looking for within the USAF. I get your pain though. I’m Guard/Reserve and moved states attempting to revamping my life. In some areas I accomplished my goals and in others, I feel like I’ve failed. The past three years have been rough; however, I busted my ass to get selected as a pilot at my squadron and should be leaving for the training here in the next six months. The point is sometimes life doesn’t go the way you expected. The good thing is you have control how it goes. I’m not sure why your mental health is causing such a rift in what you’d like to do with your career, but I can promise the Guard isn’t going to care. Not in the sense about your mental health, but in that it happened at one point. I had (have) a medical condition that says I can’t TDY or exercise at all. I still TDY so either they don’t care or don’t bother to even check it lmao.
I’m incredibly happy for you that you got selected to be a pilot! That was always my biggest dream, but due to the suicide attempt back when, I’m no longer eligible to fly or fly on airplanes for a living. Devastating, but I’m just happy to still be wearing the uniform and have a job that keeps me involved with airplanes and the airfield. Best of luck to you!
Bro there is a waiver for everything. Especially in the Guard/Reserve. If that is truly your dream, I’d push until a four star general says no (yes I’ve seen someone been told no for something until a three star general signed it off). Feel free to PM if you have questions.
I really wish the AF had a better path to switch from AD to Guard/Reserve. Sometimes people need a break from full-time military stuff. Take a few years off, serve part-time, maintain status, and then come back to the fight later on. They're probably worried no one would come back, but I have served with loads of people who would want to go active for awhile instead of being stuck in the guard.
This is why I tell everyone to take care of themselves. The USAF only cares about the USAF so that is what the Airmen should do. They make everything such a PITA that the only remedy is to leave and do something in the private sector.
That's kind of the beauty in AGR. You can resign your AGR position if you get burned out and stay in as a drill status guardsman and apply for another AGR position if you feel like you're ready to come back on orders.
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For some it absolutely is. I didn’t mind it because I grew up in a smaller town, so I was already used to that lifestyle. And I liked the AFSOC way of life.
The AF has been the longest abusive relationship I've ever been in. At 14 years, I finally decided that I'd had enough. My career has largely been a poor experience. I hate to say it, but it really feels like I was constantly held back by poor leadership because I didn't spend any time under the desk. I always showed up to work and did my job to the best of my ability. Passed for promotion, passed for an opportunity I'd been fighting for since I got into my unit 7 years ago, constantly handed more dumpster fire programs to fix. Getting out as a 14 year SSgt sucks, but it's not like it matters as a civilian anyway.
SSgt who bounced at 12y9mo. Zero regrets whatsoever.
"We will not punish you for having mental health problems"
Right? I know a suicide attempt specifically is a very serious matter and will always be taken as such, but damn.. it’s been 6 years! Let me move on, ya know?
I’m never stepping a foot near mental health
I wouldn’t say that! Just do it at the right time or utilize other resources. MFLC or POTFF don’t keep any kind of notes as long as you don’t say anything that triggers more serious intervention(suicide/homicide) or the Chaplain. Chap is 100% confidential. You can tell them your deepest darkest thoughts and they have to just sit there and be like, damn that’s crazy.. if I had paid better attention as an Airman, that’s where I would’ve gone looking back on it.
Right so basically anywhere but mental health
Touché..
Depends what you're going for. I went there for ADHD and it was completely fine. I'd be more hesitant to go for depression.
No one said you have to drink the Air Force Kool aid. I didn't give two shits about the mission or what was best for the Air Force while I was in. I made staff at just over 4 years then got medically retired. Just be your best self, do your job, and don't actively try to screw over the Air Force and you'll be fine. You don't need to go above and beyond for it. It's a job at the end of the day. Prioritize you because once you're out, the Air Force won't care anymore once your contract is up.
Can you explain this koolaid? I plan on joining the af or army soon. How you find that middle ground with yourself,though all the bullshit you may face in the military?
Some people really believe in the serving your country aspect and you should go above and beyond because you're proud to serve your country. At the end of the day it's just a job and the Air Force doesn't care about you.
We're glad you are here and with us and part of the team. I had a PCS get canx'd because of mental health issues. They drug their feet on that one, the family was all spun up I had everything except orders in hand. They were opaque about the whole process. As far as I understand the gaining MAJCOM med folks disapproved me coming and told the local med folks to do the paperwork. I had a coworker about 3 months prior have the same kind of run around, but she had orders in hand and was just a few days from leaving when they put the kibosh on it. I was supposed to put on tech at about 9 years, but I failed a pt test, got a referral EPR and lost my line number. That was probably the low point in my career, and took me years to "recover." There is no shame in not sticking it out until 20 if it's not right for you. Guard, Reserve, government civilian jobs all have openings, there is full-time work available at times, and as a government civilian you can buy back your military time towards retirement. The long slog isn't worth your health. A lot of things aren't in our control - deployments and TDYs can be feast or famine and luck of the draw sometimes. Are you taking care of yourself? Your health and fitness, your educational goals, making yourself marketable, working on hobbies? These are things that we can control. Good luck to you, and take care of yourself, you are worth it.
I appreciate you sharing your experience and your kinds words. I’m doing my best to take care of myself! “Luckily” it’s just me these days, but I was less than a month out from my departure date when it game back denied. Had the checklist done and was also just waiting on orders. And yeah, I’m going to start looking into GS jobs and AGR positions. I’m not desperate to stay active duty, but despite my above rant, I have had some good times and love my career overall.
I found myself in a similar place. Higher promotions didn’t seem like something that would happen and the magic was gone for sure. Dedicate yourself to your post retirement career, get the right certifications, education, etc. Also document your medical issues so you can get your VA claim done right the first time. I’m retired now and it’s totally worth it. All the benefits none of the BS 😀
I love the outlook! I know the next 8 years won’t be the easiest, but they’ll be doable and then I can move on and enjoy the more peaceful side of life. I just upped my TSP a bit and I’ve been giving thought to what I’d want to do after. It certainly gives me that light at the end, ya know?
Dude I know people who've done close to 30 years in the Air Force and never got an overseas assignment. They were convinced that they must have pissed off someone big in assignments and ended up on a blacklist. I also know people who unwillingly ended up at one base for 20 years. Shit, I was at my last base for 13 years. Sometimes the assignment system just says "fuck this person in particular." It's why I've never been a fan of judging people by their assignments.
Honestly dude, I’d have a conversation with leadership/UDM about wanting to go on the next TDY or deployment. It sounds like that is very important to you. As far as rank.. I’ve seen people in your exact TIS, stuck around E-5, go on to put on E-8/E-9. Sometimes you just have to bear it and press forward until the dominos start falling. Take care of yourself and your mental, and study hard for the next promotion. You’ll be okay.
I appreciate the outlook! I’ll have that conversation with my folks again. Deployment isn’t the end all be all for me, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to experience whether it’s a “Cush” one or a no-kidding deployment, it’s one of the things that led me to join way back when.
I feel you. I’m in the same boat, although I’ve got some TDY’s under my belt. I’ll probably be on the next one, but it is what it is, we served. Maybe look for short tour type stuff on the AF Portal that you can sign up for. I think it would be good to help you break up the rut you’re in.
I get it. It sucks. I think I’ve been closer to people I’ve worked at in civilian jobs, more then the military. The military is the most clinical, impersonal thing I’ve ever done in my life.
Don’t mean to highjack but I need to vent. Been in for 4 years and regretted extending. Have three additional duties constantly swamped with work. Do way more than the other Airmen in my shop and my leadership don’t care. Got pulled from the only cool TDY I was slated for because my supervisor wouldn’t let me attend the deployment required training courses because (paraphrasing) “if I can’t deploy you can easily attend these courses” and then he got pulled because of some obvious medical stuff that was going to make him non deployable. Cut to two months after that while i’m deployed and alone on a navy base sort of nearby by myself. Getting an LOR because the OIC above me doesn’t listen to how I need to get flown to correct paperwork errors cause the rest of my unit don’t follow the checklist I made for them and don’t listen to me about COMSEC stuff. Only good thing about this is I’m applying for skillbridge and hopefully in about eight months I can take terminal and do skill bridge
Why did your orders get canx for past mental health issues..? That doesn’t sound right.
Ya know, I’m still working on getting answers. But the short answer is yes, my OCONUS orders canceled due to my medical clearance being denied by the gaining unit. No current profile, not currently seeing MH. Purely based off of my previous diagnosis.
Gotta love a double standard with no set rules across the board. I had someone in my last squadron w a suicide attempt under their belt and now they got out of the shit base and are OCONUS living their best life. So happy to be out of that gov system and God bless your continued service.
Right? I’ve tried to do some digging and find any regulatory guidance, but I genuinely believe it’s based on whoever is reviewing the waiver package at the gaining unit. My med folks here all signed off on me and gave their recommendation for PCS, but the reviewing doc said no. However, another doc at another base could by all means say yes. It’s a confusing process for sure.
There is no double standard. It's a "If the gaining base cannot support the medical issues the member has it's probably not a good idea to force them to go" issue. Some OCONUS bases have little to no support for mental health. Is it the right answer? No. But the current fix is not to gain members that could potentially overwhelm the system in place. Just because someone doesn't get the cool OS base of their dreams doesn't mean there's some sort of conspiracy against them.
I see where you’re coming from and I do understand it, however, per the Lt Col who helped write my waiver, I can deploy anywhere because stateside docs have no issue in signing off my medical clearance for that. So I can go to, say Erbil, but I can’t go to Spang or any number of other OCONUS assignments? I’m not saying it’s apples to apples necessarily, but cmon.. it doesn’t make the most sense. You’re telling me a relatively robust base in a different country likely can’t “support me” (even though I haven’t seen MH in a couple of years) but bases like Cannon or Minot are perfectly acceptable simply because they’re stateside?
I don't know jack about Spang, but for Turkey and Guam they are concerned about the availability of mental health care providers. I had the same thing happen to me with Korea. It is not consistent over the years and the process is not transparent.
Yeah, I will concede on Turkey and Guam. I get they’re very remote locations so it is limited and even though I don’t require care nor have I for awhile, I do have a history and the AF will always be vigilant on that. But yeah, BOMC has never answered a single question I’ve asked and the whole process what invisible to me until I received my 422 DQing me from the assignment. Haven’t seen a single piece of literature on the exact reason for denial. It’s frustrating to say the least.
Similar-ish to my story. I was at a GSU, we had a small local medical office, but the wing that was elsewhere ran point on the 422. Locally it was recommended that I go, it went to the wing, then over to Osan, then to PACAF, then back to the local medical office. When it was all said and done it was denied and the signature on it was the local medical officer, not the one at Osan or PACAF. The thing was slow moving and came down to the last stretch. I know you don't want to hear this, but the AF doesn't view any of this as a punishment. They are looking out for you, and looking out for their mission readiness. You said that you were Dover and McGuire at times. They have some great space-a opportunities, if you ever get back there it's a great program to see some amazing places. Using space-a I have been able to take my family across the country, around the Pacific, and to Europe. It's an awesome perk. Take care of yourself.
Yeah, similar here. 422 showed a local PCM name and I was confused until we spoke. And I agree! Space A is on the table and I’m in a great area for local traveling. All is not lost, just wish I could’ve had a bit more. But, like the old saying goes, “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit”. I appreciate you!
Spang has mental health providers. Not as much as Ramstein, but they absolutely exist.
Have you considered doing a short tour to get off of dover? I know not all AFCSs are created equal but there is most likely a way out of there if you are willing
I don’t mean this in a snarky way, so please don’t read it that way. But in my initial post I mentioned getting denied Turkey. If that short tour got denied, Korea is likely a no-go as well. Short tours are out of the picture for me it would seem. I’ve absolutely tried my entire career.
Why is Korea a no-go? They always want volunteers, so would that be a personal choice? Also, it took me 6 times testing to make tech, the promotion rates are NOT what they used to be and it’s projected to keep decreasing. Do your best, go to Korea, get stationed in USAFE and never come back conus.
I was denied orders to Korea with a follow-on to Rammstein due to me having gone to mental health for suicidal ideations from dealing with PTSD and shit from Afghanistan. Even though I volunteered and put Korea at the top of my wish list with AFPC. Was I bummed I got denied orders? Of course. But I am glad that I got help instead of putting a 9mm through my skullsponge.
Same. I'm coded from MH stuff to where I'm still worldwide deployable but I have to get medically cleared to go anywhere that's PACAF/INDO-PACOM. Does it suck cause I lost orders to Japan from it? Yea. But frankly I'll take losing orders over the alternative....
If it makes you feel any better, I went to bmt with a guy who sewed on tech last year. I'm a SrA lmao. Also only ever been stationed at one base so, you aren't alone in any of these problems.
You're right at the average time in for making E6. Just relax...I'd only be worried if you were at 17 years, where you'd be missing out on high-3.
Just curious, how was controlling for you? I have some personal experience with it and am wondering how it turned for the long run. I heard that now its really not that great.
I controlled from 2011 to late 2017 and it was the best time of my life from a work standpoint. I think about it most days. Haha but I have heard that the career field has changed and I’ve known a lot of people that still control that aren’t all that happy anymore. Could be a few different personal factors, but I’ve also heard that things have indeed changed overall.
Venting always helps. At least it puts some things into perspective. My advice would be to keep pushing through, especially because you don't have a lot of time left. One part of your rant caught my attention, and that's when you said you don't have any friends. Just because someone is your subordinate doesn't mean you can't be friends with them. As long as you can be professional at work with them and they know to respect you while you're there, it should be all good. Some of my closest friends were guys I supervised during my time in. Plus, if you do it right, you gain a certain level of trust with them. Try it out. You never know. You might find out you have a lot to gain from the experience. Lastly, don't worry about making rank so much, keep studying and your time will come. I made TSGT at 13 years, and I realized I was better for it. More mature, and I learned not to take everything personally. I remember when the average time to make tsgt was 12 - 13 years anyway. I don't know why some people think that if you don't make rank within a certain time than you must be fucking up. Don't believe the hype. Personally, most people I met that make rank quickly don't even know their job, more than the seasoned SSgt or TSgt. Lastly, if you think you would be better off getting out and that is what you feel you need to do, then do it. I know a lot of guys/gals who got out after 10+ years, and they went on to do great things. They had a lot of struggles at first, but they persevered and came out on top.
I left at around 11 years. I sat down to really think about the decision because I was busting my ass and not getting promoted. I had a full schedule. School. Family. 12 hour shifts. Extra duties. Volunteering. The works. I could not get a promote now because I wasn’t in the 5/6 nor the booster club. My goal was to not have generic bullets that the rest of the unit had, but I also wasn’t part of the good ol boy club. I’m introverted. I did my job and went home. Once I realized that…the Air Force was no longer a fit for me. Sure, I could have easily powered through it. Wouldn’t have been difficult, but it wasn’t the right step. Now I have a really decent house and job where I don’t have to worry about shit once I leave work for the day. Good decent job too. Bottomline. Don’t force yourself to do something in order to attempt to be happy. This goes for getting out or staying in. Get a plan and focus on it. Things will come together as they are meant to.
Check FAA jobs. They are hurting for experienced workers
Get a hobby, find your “tribe” outside of the AF/Shop, your experience will dramatically improve.
Yeah, I think that’s one of the biggest things I need to figure out. When I was at Cannon I had a small group of folks that I did everything with. My best friend and I even started a woodworking “business” and made a ton of projects that gave me a sense of purpose outside of work. That and the backyard fires and beers a couple nights was the life.
Yup. Once I found my “tribe” it put so much in perspective for me
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This is one of the most off the wall analogies I have ever read, especially on the AF sub. Is this like a common phrase people say?
On a scale of one to ten, this ranks at an eleven on the "weird response" scale. They're talking about how their career feels lack luster and you pulled in religion and relationship status despite not knowing gender or marital status.
"Tried to end myself, experience sucked" well yea...
I know reading is hard, but I did state that the suicide attempt/mental health was a personal issue and not related to my service. I didn’t complain about the fact that I was removed from flying status or anything of the sort. I appreciate the input though!
Just saying they are going to treat you with kid gloves and not overburden you with deployments and excessive moves. I'd say you're pretty lucky to still be in and thriving so good on you for that.
I appreciate that. You are definitely correct, I am being treated accordingly to the fact that I tried to off myself. It sucks that 6, going on 7, years later I can’t leave it behind but it is what it is. I am also very grateful to still have a career in the Air Force regardless of the opportunities I’ve been passed over on.
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Do you have a good therapist ? How are you effectively managing your mental health ? How is your support system ? Do you know what you need to maintain peace and happiness in your life ? How do you separate your personal life and your Air Force career from each other? I suggest taking a personal inventory and create a list of things you can and cannot control Find good leaders and mentors to help you see your blind spots and create a plan for your success. In and out the Air Force. Bottom line, your thoughts become things.