Cyber Warfare / Cyber Ops is the best career field IMO. You are involved in the biggest events going on in the world, and “in the fight” without being in actual danger, and you get a TS clearance and the most transferable skills out of any AFSC I can think of. There’s SSgts and TSgts separating and making 120K+ in the private sector working for Cyber companies like CrowdStrike.

I'm Cyber Systems Operations, and it's a job I'd highly recommend. Not only do I find it fascinating working with technology and servers, the hours are amazing, the environment is relaxed (I have my very own desk working 9-4:30 M-F as E3), and the experience gained is incredible. You gain tons of high level civilian certs, such as Sec+ with your training, as well as a TS Security Clearance, where outside the military, companies will pay big bucks to hire you. Often 6 digit salaries right out of a 4 or 6 year enlistment. But it's a great job if you're looking into taking classes and going to college in the Air Force. Most of the time you can grind out your classes at work during down time, or work on additional certifications. On top of that, we're significantly undermanned mainly because there's no way for the Air Force to compete financially with non-government companies paying so much more. So it's an easy job to get, and it's a really good job if you plan to stay in and retire because of bonuses, and more opportunities for SSgt+, but it's also good for those wanting to do one contract and get out. It's a good job for anyone pretty much. There are many upcoming signup bonuses, and reenlistment bonuses coming as well. So I highly recommend 1D7X1B (previously 3D0X2), or really any 1D7 jobs. We need more people, and it's an INCREDIBLE job! I'm biased, but I wouldn't recommend it at all if I really didn't enjoy it.

Before I joined the Air Force, I put a lot of thought into what would transition to a great job when I retired. The reality is no matter how long you stay in the Air Force, it is over at 30 years so you will be out by the time you are 48. That's time to get in another great occupation before you really retire. I saw the Air Force as a training ground for what comes next. So, STEM was my focus in high school. The Air Force practically throws educational opportunities at you from day one. So, I wanted to get into a high technology field when I joined. My first was high reliability power systems. It placed me in a field that aligned with radar, radio, various communications fields, computers and networking, etc. I was able to spend my off hours getting a BS degree in electronics engineering. After 8 years, I cross trained into Air Traffic Control maintenance where I worked with various radar and radio as well as computer systems to track aircraft in flight. When I retired from the Air Force, I found a job at one of the National Laboratories working on R&D of the most advanced equipment on the planet. It's been quite a trip. I'm now close to retiring full time. My advice is to think way ahead of where you are now. What do you want your future to look like?

Thank you Kyle for putting the work! I do personally beleive it's very subjective to what each person traits and likes/dislikes ...ex. indoor jobs vs outdoor, office vs. Field, travel vs. Stationary ... dealing with people vs. Dealing with machines. I myself am a tech persona but I still want to talk to people ^_^ and I am v creative but I am not in video and photography ... I love traveling alot but I also enjoy being in an office sometimes working on a pc ... so I think I can never come with top 5 as my list might be top 1000 😁... Thank you again for the huge effort and value you and Mckenna provide through this channel.

Kyle's list is solid. My opinion, in any military job, it's what YOU make of it. I have been in the AF for 6 years and ANG for 16 years (Navigator, Medical), and it's really your attitude that makes the difference. Having said that, in the AF, flying jobs (load master, boom operator) are probably the best if you can handle being away from home like Kyle said. I would also recommend looking into Air Traffic Control. This is a very important career field that is applicable in the civilian side. But it's fairly high tempo and stress because your actions will affect safety of aircraft.

Such great info and insight into some of the best career options available for future Airmen! Very interesting! -Mike

I was Security Specialist and not Law Enforcement. I retired as a recruiter. I worked nights and got my degree in Criminal Justice and Human Resources Management. After retirement I became a Deputy Sheriff and retired as a Police Sergeant. I took a much needed year off from being an SP and LEO. I decided to go back to work and now I work in Human Resources Specialist for the Veteran Affairs. You get what you put into the Air Force. My USAF sacrifices are 7 deployments to the sandbox, 3 to Central America and a few Team Spirit, REFORGER, Giant Sword, Olympic Arena, and Peacekeeper Challenge competitions. I am old but can still pass a USAF pt test any day of the week.

50 years ago I joined the air force. I was an Avionics Tech on the F-111. Awesome job. Out on the flightline fixing and launching airplanes. day or night

C-17 loadmaster of 7 years - No complaints and 52 countries

Hey Kyle, just wanting to send out positive vibes to you. You helped me so much in my decision to join the air force. I can now say several years in I have no regrets and am enjoying every minute of it. I wish only the best for you and your future.

ADMIN ROCKS, I got to TDY @ THE PENTAGON. My supervisor for 6 yrs was a Major in control of Finance.

I'm loving these Top 5 lists. They're awesome, just like you

Good video. I cross trained from a Law Enforcement Specialist into ARMs for a while. I was at a C130 base so I got to work with a lot of Load Masters as well. As for pilots (Officers) like every group some are cool and others are not so not really a benefit working with them. It did put me in touch with a person who helped me become a First Sergeant which is in my opinion, the best job in the Air Force, but you have to be at least an E-7 to apply.

Was Power Production Specialist in late 1960s. Responsible for keeping power plants operating. Good job and transition to good job in civilization life. Lots of influence on remote areas because we kept the beer cold.

1. Cyber ware fare (1B4) 2. Cyber Ops (1D7) 3. Any Intel career field 4. Loadmaster (for the travel) 5. NDI (they’re like doctors for jets😂)

If I could go back and do it over again, I would’ve picked biomedical equipment maintenance journeyman. Apparently on the civilian side you make a lot of money fixing medical equipment. Plus, the people that work in the Air Force they do that job, stay relatively clean and they get to eat a chow at a normal time and hour.

I was pretty surprised to hear you pick ARM as top of the list. I was in service for 25 years with my first 4 on that job. We just called it Resource Management way back in 1986, but it was excessively cool. My time was at a pilot training squadron, so we had about 80 officers with another 120 student pilots who are also officers along with us 6 enlisted guys/gals. Actually got to fly three times during my four years and I did the flying... After takeoff of course. It was a very cool job indeed. Except birthdays or promotions because that meant the dunk tank. A bunch of pilots pick you up and toss you into a huge tank of water outside. Bring a dry uniform if you had any kind of celebration hahaha

I love y’all’s videos!! It really helped my process with joining the Air Force national guard!

ive just enlisted as a 2A551, airlift/special mission maintenance. It's not gonna be glamourous as an admin, desk job, but as a future reservist, who is using it as a stepping stone to get me into the airlines, I ain't complaining

Anything flyer(wings on chest), and anything cyber/cyber operations. This is something that will grow, and is always a great option. I flew on AC-130Js for 3 years as a gunner when it was BRAND NEW, and I loved it! I suggest a flyer role if you make the criteria. If you do not, i suggest Cyber/IT/Medical options if you cannot become a flyer. It is a great opportunity/experience for all of the roles/fields I suggested.

If you can get into 1D7X1A-Network Systems, 1D7x1B-Systems Operations or 1D7x1D-Network Security Operations, you can be setup for a great paying job on the outside. I'm an Operations Superintendent with a Guard Combat Communications unit and I have SEVERAL SrA-MSgts in my flight who make $150K+ in their civilian careers and drill with us on the weekends. A Security Clearance and a Security+ certification (that you have to pass in Tech School) can open a lot of doors for you.

I went in as a Law Enforcement Specialist (now Security Forces) back in 86. Not what some people would consider one of the best jobs. But I really would not have wanted to do anything else and it directly led to my civilian LE career (Criminal Investigator, USMS). So, if you are young please watch these videos, get as much information as you can without overwhelming yourself, but don’t let them dissuade you from doing something that is right for you.

What people should know is about Test Station and Components. There are not a lot of deployments over seas but great to transfer to civilian jobs and also allow you to get schooling as well. As a 2A0X1M myself I do stand by it.

I flew as an Aeromedical evacuation technician in the reserve for 30 years until retirement. The best job I saw for an enlisted man is close to Loadmaster. It was the 'Boom Operator'. Flying on a KC 135, the boom operator works the refueling boom to refuel aircraft while flying. While sitting in the rear of the plane, he manipulates the refueling arm, (hose) to couple up with other aircraft to transfer fuel. You stay with the plane and are deployed all over the world in advance of ongoing missions. Your off time is where you land, often away from your home base, in other states and other countries. As member of the flight crew, your treatment by 'host' bases or countries is usually better than the regular troops. Worth looking into.... Good luck

I was enlisted and then became an officer. But when I was enlisted, I was a computer programmer. I think that the work-life balance is there, the career training is there, and the opportunities after the Air Force are there. You also get to program on aircraft avionics, intelligence systems, communications systems, office automation, base level data processing, etc. so you feel like your job is important.

#1 ICBM electronics Maintenance. It is a critical career field. All of your bases are CONUS, no deployments. Your certified under PRP to do maintenance without constant direct supervision. Each maintenance dispatch is to a different launch facility and usually involves a different task. Not boring. Excellent schedule control you know when you are working and when you are off. The training received is two year college level. The skills learned are very marketable in the civilian world. #2 Loadmaster I agree. I cross trained into that career field when I went into the reserves. Lots of travel lots of hours in the air on your own and on the ground on your own. Not a great job for married people.

Power Production is a great job inside the CE career field. The job isn’t very demanding all the time you mainly sit in a office and monitor generators all day. After you of course do your Daily inspection. Witch takes normally 30 minutes, then you have your weekly’s witch take about 30 minutes and the. Monthly etc not very demanding and the civilian side pays great money

Airfield Management was an amazing job I had for many years till I retired. That career field is responsible for the entire airport portion of the air force base to include flight planning and maintaining the runway and taxiways.

Great video!

I worked 7:30 to 4:30 in logistics in the Air Force for 20 years, the supply guy. I had a blast. I worked for a maintenance unit in Vegas for 2 years. They had to work on jets in 110 degree Vegas summer which was about 120 degrees on the flight line while I chilled in my office with the AC cranked up. All I did was order parts and maintain inventory. Everyone needs a supply guy so I was able to work several different jobs so it was great.

Yo Kyle, welcome back to Vegas. Thoughts on doing a livestream podcast format with a panel & guests?

Telecommunications! Was a 30750 Tech. Controller and the skill sets plus a TS clearence lead me a a awesome 25 year career with a major Telcomm outfit. Made great pay , healthplan, and investement options. Not only that, I spent 4 years in Spain enjoying my time there. Would do it all over again!

Flightline engine mechanic on B52s and KC135s for six years in the 70s. Loved the job but not being only female. We did do arms training and were assigned (in SAC) to alert teams expected to set up FOBs and deploy. That was a bit more like army. But I rarely had any mickey mouse stuff to deal with since we were considered essential and spent our time wrenching and running aircraft.

I can see why ARM is your top choice. A guy at my base referred to the Wing CC by his first name because he handles the man's flying papers. I stand with TSgt Robertson, though, when he said in Sept 2019, "Security Forces is the best dang job in the Air Force." If you're looking for easy, chill, etc., the jobs listed are great. But if you're looking for adventure and character growth, Security Forces is the way to go.

I was a aircraft maintenance specialist (crew chief) I did enjoy my time working on the planes. It was a dirty job. Any job working on the planes you will get dirty. Got to agree with your top 5 jobs. Aircraft Maintenance people had to work in all weather conditions , all types of hours and sometimes weeks at a time. Got to give it to Navy people when it comes to hours and weeks at time working on those aircraft carriers. God bless you Navy personnel for a fine job.

I was a power lineman in CE. But in that job over 23 years I did many different jobs. After 12 years I became an electrical planner. Planned jobs. I then did a special duty, FM Facility Maintenance in the ICBM missile field. I then went and became a zonal superintendent at Patrick AFB for all the facilities. My last base in Alaska I worked SABER. Basically contract management of contractors. My son now a tech is a machinist/welder in maintenance. EMS. He loves it. Going PCS to Yokota Japan in a month.

I was Public Affairs for 11 years. Made it to Tsgt (tough career field to get proved in). However, they sent me to law school. Retired as 0-4. The background was part of why I was selected. It is a great, great career field.

Admin is a great job for someone who wants a day job with weekends off and who receives inside poop on what may be happening that affects all support and flight line people on base. The best civilian transition jobs could be air traffic control, computer specialist and accountants.

I’m making my top 10 job list and I’m mostly putting stuff that can be used for marketability in the civilian word but I’m not sure if loadmaster is something that would do you any good in the civilian world, what exactly would being a loadmaster qualify you for in the civilian world, other than that I was really interested in the travel that comes with it

Ohhh loadmaster really catches my eye. I previously wanted to do broadcast journalism but the travel aspect to loadmaster sounds great.

Base Historian is a great job!

My dad was a KC-135 crew chief. With the 126th ARW Illinois Air National Guard. And he loved it! He traveled all over the world. He was a full time AGR. He did it for over 32 years. He retired as a S/MSGT. One of the guys told me that being a boom operator was the best job in the Air Force. He was active duty for 6 years. Got out. Didn't want to have anything with the Air Force. But one year later. He wanted back in. But didn't want to go active duty. So he joined the Air National Guard. Trained as a boom operator. He did ARM on active duty. But he wanted something different.

4NX1 Aerospace medical tech - IMO is a pretty sweet job, office hours depending on clinics you work at can be a peace of cake and a lot of cross train options out there.

You should include whether or not a job transfers to the civilian world in your job videos

So far I have been in for 6 years and have been ARMS for the whole time. I absolutely love it working with the pilots. I would recommend this career field to everyone

The 5 best jobs in the Air Force according to Airman Vision 1. Aviation Resource Management 2. Public Affairs 3. Load Master (if you're single and love travel... this is gucci!) 4. NDI 5. Administration (CSS)

I think you should have combined Loadmaster with Boom Operator, Flight Engineer, and AWACS crewman doing their various tasks. The pros and cons you shared could be said about all these jobs.

Missed firefighter. We get national certifications and can work anywhere when you get out. Many civilian firefighters join Air Force fire just to get the certs out academy provide 🤷‍♂️ highly sought after job

Idk about other Admins, but as an Admin in the AF I’ve been working longer hours than my MX friends. We Admin and personnel take our work home. When covid hits, everyone was off while we actually worked. When you are in maintenance or any job that requires you to work on site, once you go home you are off. Admins unfortunately don’t stop, sometimes we work from home on weekends or leave. And if we leave early it’s normally due to a function which btw hinders our work and makes us work longer hours the next day. I’m not complaining at all, I just wanted to bring some light to the reality of admins/CSS personnel. Good career field but it is a very thankless job.

I was an air traffic control radar tech for nine years, great job. With training I received I was hired by the FAA and retired with 40 years of federal service.

I’m leaving June 21st for Air Trans very excited.

Lol, I'm enlisted aircrew (1A9, Special Missions Aviator), and and everyone in ARM (HARM/SARM) can never get their isht together, our paperwork is always messed up. I have a lot of friends who are loadmasters though, and yeah, they absolutely love it

Fire protection hands down top 3. Currently serving in this career field and have been for the last few years

something dealing with FLYING/AIRCREW is usually a great job in the Air Force...flight pay, tdy pay, travel, downtime when not flying, etc....

The best job? C-130 flight engineer. Hands down. Unfortunately there are no more active duty C-130 FEs as the AF has moved to the "J" model which eliminates that crew position.

I was in PA. You really have to have the personality for it. It's slightly difficult to be in PA if you're an introvert. I crossed trained out. I had great supervisors but it just wasn't for me.

Retired after 20 years and started at E-1; Airman Basic. Regardless of your job, you make the career, your choices, your path. I had three different jobs and enjoyed each of them. I turned down E-8 because I decided to move on with my life and career. I went to college and left with a Masters Degree. That was my choice and path that I felt I would need post military. I had two successful careers after the Air Force.

I leave for fire protection June 21st. haven't heard too much bad about it, can't wait!!

The grass is greener on the other side of the hill, I suffered from this badly when I was in the military also, every other job except your own is better...

Being a fiefighter is pretty chill, badass, and every fire department outside of the military will take you without question

C2BMO (Command and Control Battle Managment Operations) is one of the best jobs for those interested in working in the combat side of the Air Force without actually being in combat yourself. If you want to attend mission breifings, listen to pilots live radio comms, and monitor them via radar as they operate, this is the job for you. It's my job and I have always loved it. You'll start off most likely doing surveillance and have the opportunity later on to become a Weapons Director (work directly with pilots, tell them where bad guys are, where to go, what to shoot, etc) or other functions such as working with data links (kinda like cyber + surveillance mixed). Really cool career field, it gets into the meat and potatoes of how the AF conducts air operations at the tactical level.

Ayeee let’s go Admin 🙌 (that’s what I reclassed into). Most days I sit around update slides and schedule meetings I also get off at 1500 three days a week. It won’t be the same for everyone because I’m actually in a double filled position because my base is full and I just need to learn my job. Side note: if you’re a new admin overseas you will basically work in a warehouse like an Amazon worker (overseas postal).

current loadmaster, sums it good im a single guy no family, travel a lot and fly alot no set hour perfect job for the younger single airmen

A paycheck is a paycheck. I'm Hydro backshop. Love the job. But then again I've had several jobs before the military so I kno about the real world vs the military world. Might reenlist if things go well

Thanks a lot. can you please make a video about what is the best aircraft loadmaster or aircrew flight equipment.

I can confirm that NDI is a great career field after being In Pensacola for a few months in ASM seeing them graduate early and the amount of effort the job takes

The difference between Admin & Maintenance jobs is that you'll more than likely have a better chance of service connection when you apply for disability benefits rather than in the Admin field....

Top 3 is, fighter pilot, a PJ, and a TACP in my opinion

PJ would be my pick for best job. But I guess what I would be looking for is very different. Not better or words than this list, just different. If I joined the military and all I did was push papers around and go home early... I think I'd go AWOL.

Crew Chief here 👋 love it

Thank you for this list! I am a single mom about to join up and was getting pretty frustrated with the run around whenever I would ask which jobs in the Air Force are the best for people with families or even for single parents. Especially since I don't have family so I will be relying on after school care to help with my daughter.

EOD techs are awesome! Best job imo but I’m also biased.

PMEL, maintenance without being maintenance. Some of you should consider retraining into the best job in the Air Force, Manpower.

Loadmaster sounds awesome!

The benefit of being an AF firefighter for four years and then getting a municipal FF job is that nowadays (some,most) cities require minimum levels of education to be completed and paid for by you prior to employment, whereas I got the basic requirements taken care of while getting paid in the AF.

What about UAV pilot ? Thx for the great insight btw !

Weather is a hidden gem 💎

I’m getting ready at 13 years old so I know I’m ready when my time comes to serve

I had a fabulous and life changing career in (272x0) which was then air traffic control.

I was maintenance for 21 years before I worked what I considered the best job in the AF. First Sergeant 8F000

Alright my man. You forgot the best one. Basically any 1A career but in particular, 1A9 I’m a Huey 1A9. We are a mix of 3 1A careers. Loads, flight engineers and Ariel door gunners. I fly 2.5 hours and then go home. When I’m not flying I’m talking with my homies officers or not and go home at 3 every day. Amazing home work balance and get SDAP and obviously Flight pay you missed the ball not putting that one on man. Would also be more than happy to talk ab it with you!

Aircraft Maintenance career fields, Fight Engineer and Loadmaster are the best especially if you want to make a career out of Air Force.

Im in the process of joining the Air Force and I want to go for aerospace propulsion apprentice. Any insight on that job ?

HELLO SGT GOTT I WAS A 43171F TURBOPROP MECH/CREW CHIEF C-130 I NEVER WAS IN MY CAREER FIELD APOND LANDING IN NAHA OKINAWA I WAS ASSIGNED TO 51FMS WHERE I WAS MADE A TUG DRIVER AND PULLED A/C ALL OVER THE FLIGHTLINE..INTERESTING JOB BIT A 24/7 COMITTMENT.APOND ARRIVING AT DOVER AFB I WAS ASSIGNED AS A STAFF MAINTENANCE ADM I LIKE THE USAF BUT HAVING NEVER BEEN A MEMBER OR THE CORRECT JOB I DISCHARGED AFTER 4 BUT WISH I HAD STAYED IN TO BE A FLIGHT ENGINEER..JUST FOOD FOR THROUGHT AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THE SERVICE WILL PUT YOU IN USAF 1966-1972 SGT BUTLER

Currently in tech school for Cyber Transport (ID7X1A) and I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. Good hours, relaxed environment depending on your base, and incredible civilian marketability. TS clearance combined with other certs is extremely useful when trying to advertise yourself in that career field

Former C-17 Load here, definitely one the best enlisted jobs in the USAF.

I was a flight attendant in the Air Force. THAT was a gem job

What do you think about fire protection? Im currently finishing me associates and losing weight so I can enlist and that’s the job I want to have. It’s pretty much fire fighter and that’s what I want to do after I get out

This was great. What are art jobs in the Air Force? For artist?

Kinda late to the vid, but anyone has any opinion/advices on Linguistic Specialist? I speak , listen and could read in mandarin Chinese fluently and I'm interested to learn about this career field

I literally can’t find anything regarding the job I chose, 2A9X3. I have aircraft mechanic experience back from college etc. so I know this job has to do with special electronic warfare and radar surveillance integrated avionics( electronics) but I’d love to see someone do a video on it 😅

I was a AGE mechanic. The only real perk was unlike aircraft mechanics you are not going to be aircraft and base specific. You can end up at just about any base.

Always liked that the experience driving military vehicles transfers to obtaining a CDL once your a civilian.

FIRST ! Security Police LE before merge of the AFSC'S or fire department.

I'm avionics on the MQ-9. Most of my job is sitting in an air conditioned room waiting to actually do work.

Metals tech deserves a honorable mention. Love my job.

Services is a great job! You can get out and be a chef running a kitchen for maybe $50,000 a year if you’re lucky along with long hours, hard work, and a dog eat dog atmosphere. OR you can work as a wage grade cook in the federal service for even more money just working 8 hour days.

Great vid, does AF have a finance job or is it rolled in with admin?

Can you do a video on SERE Specialist? I'm shipping soon and just wondering how much I'll be away from my family throughout the whole process

Was just waiting for PJ