Welcome to the 62EX AFSC discussion blog. The purpose of this blog is to foster discussion between future AF officers interested in this career feild and current officers in 62EX. The views expressed in this blog are solely the opinions of the individual authors and not of the USAF nor the DoD. There are six different kinds of Developmental Engineers (Aero, Astro, EE, Mech Eng, Project, and Computer Systems), this blog has officers representing each of those with posts pertinent to each.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Career Broadening: How hard is it to switch into Maintenance if I don't like being an Engineer?
Like most answers in life, it depends. I have two friends who are 62E's who did a career broadening tour (called ALEET) and then decided to stay in the maintenance career field. It depends on how well manned engineering and maintenance are at the time you apply. If Eng is undermanned and Mx is overmanned, it will be next to impossible. At other times, the opposite has been true and it's been easier as evidenced by two people doing it in the last 4 years.
Typical answer for an engineer..."it depends". I've met several prior engineers who are now FGOs and crossed into mx permenantly. However, it depends on the manning situation for your particular year group. I'm 2000 year group, and the assignment team won't let me cross permenantly, because 62EH are undermanned in 2000 year group and 21A/Ms are overmanned.
The current trend seems to be that the older you get, the less 62Es they need, and the better opportunity for you to cross train.
Every young engineer, however, has an opportunity to career broaden through programs like OPEX and ALEET. Even if it's just for 3-4 years, it's better than nothing.
Check out the 62 assignment team's website for exact manning numbers through all the year groups.
From a current Captain who has career broadened into maintenance: Typical answer for an engineer..."it depends". Once you're a 62, the 62 and 21 assignment teams will make the call IAW with the needs of the AF. Of course, the needs seem to change like the weather. Usually this determination is based on manning numbers. In my case, AFPC currently will not let me permanently cross over, because 2000 year group 62Es are undermanned and 21As are overmanned. I've met several FGOs, however, who have permanently crossed from being engineers to maintainers. For some, it just made sense for the needs of the Air Force at the time, others actually had opportunities arise to make deals (i.e. I'll volunteer to fill this crappy assignment if you do this for me).
The trend definitely appears that the older you get, the more likely you won't be needed as a 62E and opportunities will open to cross over. There just aren't that many 62E slots in the higher ranks.
Every 62E has the opportunity to career broaden, however, for 3-4 years through the OPEX and ALEET programs. Even if it's not permanent, it's better than nothing, and gets you one step closer if an opportunity to permanently cross over comes along.
I'm currently a 62E in a 21A career broadening assignment, so feel free to ask more questions or give me a call (DSN 675-4201).
This is very promising to hear. I am sticking with engineering as I want the experience just in case I feel the need to take the FE exam (is this really pushed as a 62E?).
After taking the FE, I think I may want to switch over for a little while to see what its like and to possibly move into a career that has better chances of being in charge of people.
So far, I feel I enjoy the people aspect a lot more than the engineering.
Steve, by all accounts, you would be able to count your experience as a maintenance officer towards your PE (not FE) exam. That said, there is absolutely no value to being a PE in the AF. I know, I am one.
With all due respect, that's probably the worst possible reason to choose the 62 career field...hopefully you have other, better reasons.
5 comments:
Like most answers in life, it depends. I have two friends who are 62E's who did a career broadening tour (called ALEET) and then decided to stay in the maintenance career field. It depends on how well manned engineering and maintenance are at the time you apply. If Eng is undermanned and Mx is overmanned, it will be next to impossible. At other times, the opposite has been true and it's been easier as evidenced by two people doing it in the last 4 years.
Typical answer for an engineer..."it depends". I've met several prior engineers who are now FGOs and crossed into mx permenantly. However, it depends on the manning situation for your particular year group. I'm 2000 year group, and the assignment team won't let me cross permenantly, because 62EH are undermanned in 2000 year group and 21A/Ms are overmanned.
The current trend seems to be that the older you get, the less 62Es they need, and the better opportunity for you to cross train.
Every young engineer, however, has an opportunity to career broaden through programs like OPEX and ALEET. Even if it's just for 3-4 years, it's better than nothing.
Check out the 62 assignment team's website for exact manning numbers through all the year groups.
From a current Captain who has career broadened into maintenance: Typical answer for an engineer..."it depends". Once you're a 62, the 62 and 21 assignment teams will make the call IAW with the needs of the AF.
Of course, the needs seem to change like the weather. Usually this determination is based on manning numbers. In my case, AFPC currently will not let me permanently cross over, because 2000 year group 62Es are undermanned and 21As are overmanned. I've met several FGOs, however, who have permanently crossed from being engineers to maintainers. For some, it just made sense for the needs of the Air Force at the time, others actually had opportunities arise to make deals (i.e. I'll volunteer to fill this crappy assignment if you do this for me).
The trend definitely appears that the older you get, the more likely you won't be needed as a 62E and opportunities will open to cross over.
There just aren't that many 62E slots in the higher ranks.
Every 62E has the opportunity to career broaden, however, for 3-4 years through the OPEX and ALEET programs. Even if it's not permanent, it's better than nothing, and gets you one step closer if an opportunity to permanently cross over comes along.
I'm currently a 62E in a 21A career broadening assignment, so feel free to ask more questions or give me a call (DSN 675-4201).
Anthony
This is very promising to hear. I am sticking with engineering as I want the experience just in case I feel the need to take the FE exam (is this really pushed as a 62E?).
After taking the FE, I think I may want to switch over for a little while to see what its like and to possibly move into a career that has better chances of being in charge of people.
So far, I feel I enjoy the people aspect a lot more than the engineering.
Steve, by all accounts, you would be able to count your experience as a maintenance officer towards your PE (not FE) exam. That said, there is absolutely no value to being a PE in the AF. I know, I am one.
With all due respect, that's probably the worst possible reason to choose the 62 career field...hopefully you have other, better reasons.
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