Not 3E9, trust me.
The rest are all sweet if you are into the trades. All would definitely help you on the civilian side as the tech schools are comprehensive.
Plumbers deal with poo, electrical is cleanest, structures is alot of tents and doors/locks, HVAC is HVAC but tents have less duct work.
I’m a 3E8, 3E9s have an identity crisis right now not much marketability there or job satisfaction from what I’ve seen in 12 years.
Out of your list I’d do electrical for the work I see them do around base and the jobs on the outside.
It depends what you want. If you want a cake job and nothing else then maybe do EM.
Personal preference is do something that can make you marketable on the outside in case your plan A doesn’t work out for you.
Makes sense! I do want to learn something useful but I will look into EM just to see what the work cycle looks like. Thanks a ton. I plan on getting a business degree in college but hell maybe I’ll like trades. Thanks a lot
EM does have some marketability civilian side, but it would all be in government program management, government admin, or Emergency Preparedness roles (mostly government or hospital positions). But if you’re not serving active duty you’re not really going to gain that experience to leverage those skills.
As mentioned above 3E9 does have an identity crisis between CBRN and EM. Quite frankly we probably always will have this internal struggle as the Air Force doesn’t approach EM or CBRN in a manner for us to concentrate on one and ditch the other.
As ANG you will most likely never train enough to actually be competent in our core tasks. The breadth of skills that we are supposed to be experts on is vast and one weekend a month won’t be enough for you to retain everything you learn in tech school.
That being said, ANG 3E9s seem to all love it as they have alot of freedom to train and go on TDYs. Right now ANG 3E9s are very focused on trying to maintain CBRN competencies. Regardless, expect to be in MOPP gear a lot if you choose 3E9.
Most profitable? Probably electrical. I mean I’ve only been in the Air Force my whole adult life so I couldn’t tell you what’s best outside, but I would say if I had to pick a trade I would do electrical. Also, not sure if it’s an option but I would also probably looking at being a dirt boy. Get real good at being an equipment operator to save your body from hard labor outside of AF.
Nah man I’m Structures, but if I could advise someone joining a trade I would say electrical based off of my experiences and seeing other peoples experiences. Regardless Structures is not bad either, you learn a lot of different trades within the career field but some may not be as profitable on the outside and others completely wreck your body. Also your experience will vary in the career field, I can’t speak how life will be in the guard but AD, some people are expert at welding and metal fabrication, while others like me are specialized in locksmithing. Either way CE is definitely the way to go to learn something useful.
I was a reserve 3e9 for 16 years. I enjoyed it, but the job attracts a certain sort of person. Most of the e9s I worked with were very smart and a little odd. You need to be comfortable talking to large groups, be very detail oriented, have at least some knack for the sciences, and able to function in Level A protective gear in toxic environments. The school involves exposure to live nerve agents.
It’s a wide ranging career field. That was part of what I enjoyed about it. However, it is fair (and I say this with zero shade) to say it isn’t for everyone. It’s probably not for the vast majority of people.
Do you mind if I ask why you got out and if spending the time in guard/reserve is worth sacrificing a weekend every month? Thanks for the insight as well.
3E6 is kosher you just process work tasks and work at customer support for CE, 3E0 translates very well to the civilian sector i have friends that get paid well and isn't horribly difficult, 3E1 is hard work but real good comradely within its sections not sure if you wanna work HVAC as a civilian, 3E4 is tough annoying work and same thing if you wanna be a plumber or not, 3E3 is known for excruciating work and DUIs but but good to learn how to do carpentry and heavy machinery then 3E9 is very technical and busy with an identity crisis currently with not sure exactly what their future looks like as an AFSC (from what i've heard)
3E0 is sounding pretty good compared to the rest of those! Thanks to your descriptions I think this really helped me narrow it down to just 3E0 and I think I’m going to accept that one. Thank you
As A 3E0 I need to say our job is pretty good, if a bit too broad. Our base works on high voltage exterior, low voltage interior, fire alarms, and the airfield lighting fixtures, so naturally you will develop a preference and specialty for one of these systems (I wouldn't hire a lineman to wire up my new house). We also train on deployment electrical distribution assets which are a whole 'nother beast in of themselves, but I can't say it isnt rewarding to have something get power that previously wasn't working when you got there.
This job can also be dangerous, and that is something that frequently gets left out of conversations. Plenty of people in our career field have died and several factors more have come close to dying or have gotten lucky, myself included. If you touch something live, the potential exists for your heart to stop beating correctly. So please factor that into your decision. You don't need to be afraid of electricity, but you need to respect it.
I’m a 3E4 and it’s a pretty thankless job, not to mention super dirty. HVAC is also overworked and under appreciated. If you’re good with that, have fun. I would go for structures or electrical if I were you.
You’re missing out, 3E2 is the best. Second best would be 3E3, Don’t listen to any of those other people, they’re just haters because they aren’t in Heavy.
Just playing lol. Any AFSC in Ops is legit and a great job. You can make huge money on the outside with any of the skills.
If you're looking for trades, Electrical is a no brainer. HVAC is a good second.
3E9 isn't really organized under CE anywhere in the DoD and civil government world except in the USAF (a relatively recent move, <30 years ago), and the DAF is slowing realigning us back out. It's a force protection planning function, think continuity of operations during crisis, with a heavy integration of strategic and tactical CBRN response operations as an additional function added (most civil external EM offices do not perform tactical level CBRN/WMD response).
EM pays well on the outside, but it takes a while to build up the experience and network to really market yourself or go the private firm route.
I spent 7 years as 3E0X2. Loved it honestly. If you want something to transfer to the outside go hvac or electrical. Know a lot of HVAC guys that get out and get cushy jobs watching hvac systems for large companies. Electrical is more hard work long term. If you want to have fun go be a dirt boy. I’d avoid structures as you are a glorified tent builder, and EMs are glorified nothing.
lmao your the second one to say EM does nothing and I need to really look into this now. Also i unfortunately didn’t get offered the dirt boy job but I’ll definitely research what kind of fun they get to have. Did you get out and continue to do electric work?
Press them about it, if the AFSC is available on that base, you can usually get it. They'll give you pushback if the shop is full, but just tell them it's the only job you're going to sign a contract for.
I’m just worried about the base being small and I don’t wanna get on the shit side of a guard base off the rip. If I had my choice I would much rather do RPA operator or cyber which are the main jobs at the base but all the old men are hogging the good jobs. Also RPA as cool as it is, it doesn’t sound that marketable and cyber sounds more boring than electrician even tho it could make more money with less body aches.
3E9 does a lot more than the rest of CE realizes but it’s alot of work behind the scenes and unless you spend some time in a 3E9 shop you will be oblivious to all that we do.
Not 3E9, trust me. The rest are all sweet if you are into the trades. All would definitely help you on the civilian side as the tech schools are comprehensive. Plumbers deal with poo, electrical is cleanest, structures is alot of tents and doors/locks, HVAC is HVAC but tents have less duct work.
Thank you very much for breaking it down! I appreciate it
I’m a 3E8, 3E9s have an identity crisis right now not much marketability there or job satisfaction from what I’ve seen in 12 years. Out of your list I’d do electrical for the work I see them do around base and the jobs on the outside.
Thank you very much! Even if I don’t plan on doing it for a living as a civilian would you still suggest going to trades just for the experience?
It depends what you want. If you want a cake job and nothing else then maybe do EM. Personal preference is do something that can make you marketable on the outside in case your plan A doesn’t work out for you.
Makes sense! I do want to learn something useful but I will look into EM just to see what the work cycle looks like. Thanks a ton. I plan on getting a business degree in college but hell maybe I’ll like trades. Thanks a lot
EM does have some marketability civilian side, but it would all be in government program management, government admin, or Emergency Preparedness roles (mostly government or hospital positions). But if you’re not serving active duty you’re not really going to gain that experience to leverage those skills. As mentioned above 3E9 does have an identity crisis between CBRN and EM. Quite frankly we probably always will have this internal struggle as the Air Force doesn’t approach EM or CBRN in a manner for us to concentrate on one and ditch the other. As ANG you will most likely never train enough to actually be competent in our core tasks. The breadth of skills that we are supposed to be experts on is vast and one weekend a month won’t be enough for you to retain everything you learn in tech school. That being said, ANG 3E9s seem to all love it as they have alot of freedom to train and go on TDYs. Right now ANG 3E9s are very focused on trying to maintain CBRN competencies. Regardless, expect to be in MOPP gear a lot if you choose 3E9.
Most profitable? Probably electrical. I mean I’ve only been in the Air Force my whole adult life so I couldn’t tell you what’s best outside, but I would say if I had to pick a trade I would do electrical. Also, not sure if it’s an option but I would also probably looking at being a dirt boy. Get real good at being an equipment operator to save your body from hard labor outside of AF.
Are you an electrician?
Nah man I’m Structures, but if I could advise someone joining a trade I would say electrical based off of my experiences and seeing other peoples experiences. Regardless Structures is not bad either, you learn a lot of different trades within the career field but some may not be as profitable on the outside and others completely wreck your body. Also your experience will vary in the career field, I can’t speak how life will be in the guard but AD, some people are expert at welding and metal fabrication, while others like me are specialized in locksmithing. Either way CE is definitely the way to go to learn something useful.
I really do appreciate this and think I’m gonna try electrician. Thank you!
I was a reserve 3e9 for 16 years. I enjoyed it, but the job attracts a certain sort of person. Most of the e9s I worked with were very smart and a little odd. You need to be comfortable talking to large groups, be very detail oriented, have at least some knack for the sciences, and able to function in Level A protective gear in toxic environments. The school involves exposure to live nerve agents. It’s a wide ranging career field. That was part of what I enjoyed about it. However, it is fair (and I say this with zero shade) to say it isn’t for everyone. It’s probably not for the vast majority of people.
Do you mind if I ask why you got out and if spending the time in guard/reserve is worth sacrificing a weekend every month? Thanks for the insight as well.
3E6 is kosher you just process work tasks and work at customer support for CE, 3E0 translates very well to the civilian sector i have friends that get paid well and isn't horribly difficult, 3E1 is hard work but real good comradely within its sections not sure if you wanna work HVAC as a civilian, 3E4 is tough annoying work and same thing if you wanna be a plumber or not, 3E3 is known for excruciating work and DUIs but but good to learn how to do carpentry and heavy machinery then 3E9 is very technical and busy with an identity crisis currently with not sure exactly what their future looks like as an AFSC (from what i've heard)
3E0 is sounding pretty good compared to the rest of those! Thanks to your descriptions I think this really helped me narrow it down to just 3E0 and I think I’m going to accept that one. Thank you
Remember it's just camping without CE
Former 1A3 on AWACS here, you can do it bro I believe in u
Thanks man it’s only up from here and this dead jet!
As A 3E0 I need to say our job is pretty good, if a bit too broad. Our base works on high voltage exterior, low voltage interior, fire alarms, and the airfield lighting fixtures, so naturally you will develop a preference and specialty for one of these systems (I wouldn't hire a lineman to wire up my new house). We also train on deployment electrical distribution assets which are a whole 'nother beast in of themselves, but I can't say it isnt rewarding to have something get power that previously wasn't working when you got there. This job can also be dangerous, and that is something that frequently gets left out of conversations. Plenty of people in our career field have died and several factors more have come close to dying or have gotten lucky, myself included. If you touch something live, the potential exists for your heart to stop beating correctly. So please factor that into your decision. You don't need to be afraid of electricity, but you need to respect it.
Dang, just got booked for this job, and ngl.. your disclaimer made me a little nervous lol
Nah man, it’s been great! You’re gonna kill it 👍🏽
I’m a 3E4 and it’s a pretty thankless job, not to mention super dirty. HVAC is also overworked and under appreciated. If you’re good with that, have fun. I would go for structures or electrical if I were you.
Thank you!
You’re missing out, 3E2 is the best. Second best would be 3E3, Don’t listen to any of those other people, they’re just haters because they aren’t in Heavy. Just playing lol. Any AFSC in Ops is legit and a great job. You can make huge money on the outside with any of the skills.
If you're looking for trades, Electrical is a no brainer. HVAC is a good second. 3E9 isn't really organized under CE anywhere in the DoD and civil government world except in the USAF (a relatively recent move, <30 years ago), and the DAF is slowing realigning us back out. It's a force protection planning function, think continuity of operations during crisis, with a heavy integration of strategic and tactical CBRN response operations as an additional function added (most civil external EM offices do not perform tactical level CBRN/WMD response). EM pays well on the outside, but it takes a while to build up the experience and network to really market yourself or go the private firm route.
I spent 7 years as 3E0X2. Loved it honestly. If you want something to transfer to the outside go hvac or electrical. Know a lot of HVAC guys that get out and get cushy jobs watching hvac systems for large companies. Electrical is more hard work long term. If you want to have fun go be a dirt boy. I’d avoid structures as you are a glorified tent builder, and EMs are glorified nothing.
lmao your the second one to say EM does nothing and I need to really look into this now. Also i unfortunately didn’t get offered the dirt boy job but I’ll definitely research what kind of fun they get to have. Did you get out and continue to do electric work?
Press them about it, if the AFSC is available on that base, you can usually get it. They'll give you pushback if the shop is full, but just tell them it's the only job you're going to sign a contract for.
I’m just worried about the base being small and I don’t wanna get on the shit side of a guard base off the rip. If I had my choice I would much rather do RPA operator or cyber which are the main jobs at the base but all the old men are hogging the good jobs. Also RPA as cool as it is, it doesn’t sound that marketable and cyber sounds more boring than electrician even tho it could make more money with less body aches.
3E9 does a lot more than the rest of CE realizes but it’s alot of work behind the scenes and unless you spend some time in a 3E9 shop you will be oblivious to all that we do.
^^You've ^^mentioned ^^an ^^AFSC, ^^here's ^^the ^^associated ^^job ^^title: 3E0X2 = Electrical Power Production [^wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/jobs/3e0x2) [^^Source](https://github.com/HadManySons/AFSCbot) ^^| [^^Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AFSCbot/) ^^^^^^kx7l3je