Briefing helps Airmen make informed AF career decisions

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  A year to 15 months before an Airman's 4-year or 6-year enlistment ends, they are required to attend a briefing.

The briefing, Informed Decisions, shows Airmen the benefits of reenlisting and the consequences of separating from the Air Force to pursue civilian enterprises without proper preparation.

"The Informed Decisions briefing gives first and second term Airmen the info they need to make the right decision on whether they want to stay in the military or get out," said Master Sgt. Marquet Johnson, career assistance advisor and the briefing leader. "It gives them factual information on Air Force pay and benefits and all of the AF services included in Airmen's entitlements due to their enlistment.

Airmen were shown the differences in pay and benefits of some AF careers compared to their civilian counterparts.

"The most important thing to me is comparison of pay in military and civilian jobs," said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Jenkins, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron. "It's a big eye opener when you take away all the taxes from your allowances and how much you have to pay for housing and food when you're a civilian. That really got my attention. I've already decided to reenlist."

The briefing covers more than just military and civilian pay and benefit comparisons. Airmen are shown unemployment rates, reenlistment rates by term and how to prepare themselves for retraining should they elect to reenlist and pursue a different career opportunity in the AF.

"The biggest part of the Informed Decision briefing is to help the Air Force balance some of the unbalanced career fields," said Johnson. "Some Air Force specialty codes are hurting for manpower and have reenlistment bonuses. There are chronic critical Air Force specialty codes, which are jobs that don't get the manpower they need throughout the year."

Airmen are shown lists of chronic critical, or undermanned, AFSCs and are given a brief overview of their ability to retrain into a job they want using the needs of the Air Force to their advantage.

Instead of retraining on active-duty or leaving the military entirely, Airmen are also shown what opportunities they can look forward to in the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve.

The goal of the briefing isn't simply to show Airmen what their potential upon reenlistment or separation is, but to present Airmen with the information they need so they can make a more informed choice in regard to their careers and families.

"When you know all the facts, it's much easier to make the call on what the next step in your life should be," said Johnson. "I hate to see Airmen and NCOs make a career decision based on an emotional response to their job or base. We should ask ourselves, 'What can I do to sustain my family and my life?'"

The bottom line is once you leave an institution that's shaped you for four to six years, you don't get the same attention anymore, and oftentimes you'll have to start from the bottom at a new company."

With all the facts provided by the Informed Decision briefing, Airmen won't have to stress as much about their next career decision.