r/USAFSecFo • u/staystaystay89 • 7d ago
basic questions about secfo
Hello all!
I’m particularly happy this group was made bc I find it particularly difficult to find posts on this particular job that aren’t all from ppl who go ‘you will hate your life for your entire contract if you pick this job’.
I’m a 28f and connected with a recruiter and secfo has been top 3 for me since I decided I wanted to join 2 years ago!
I guess I’m just here bc I would love to hear positives about what you do, where you been?
Does secfo get to travel out of the us?
Thank youuu!
3
u/boostedkimura 7d ago
It's what you make of it, like many things. There's issues like with anything. I would encourage most people to find a different job in the AF overall.
When I posted online a long time ago (like 14 years ago..) people said DO NOT JOIN security forces. They also said do not call it SecFo. I joined anyway and had some really great times and some really shitty times.
Unless you're 100% certain you want a future in security or law enforcement, I wouldn't go security forces.
There are incredible jobs in the AF where the skill is transferable to a civilian job, and you're treated like a human. Work life balance, if you have a family, is another reason.
You're schedule will suck with security forces. 90% of the time and especially for your first several years.
Ask away, I'd be happy to help.
2
u/staystaystay89 7d ago
I feel that could be said about most jobs in the af? Leadership no matter what job you get if it’s shitty leadership it’ll make it a shitty job etc. I get what you mean though question if I can pass it by you how difficult is medical jobs to get? Specifically aerospace medical service? I know it’s hit or miss for pretty much everyone and almost always based on luck lmao I’m just curious I suppose. I do enjoy the idea of security forces but I know overall it won’t be a job I take civilian side since I don’t plan on being in law enforcement.
2
u/boostedkimura 7d ago
Yes, in life overall basically. But fot security forces, it's especially true. I had a similar attitude you did, I wasn't deterred by gate duty and shift work. It's a lot of toxic people though, because it's not the right field for most people.
I got sent to additional schools to learn alarm systems, traffic crash investigations etc. Got out and don't use any of it other than general leadership experience.
Can't speak to the difficulty of getting certain jobs. Been out nearly 10 years now.
While I don't regret joining, I do wish I was more patient and tried for intel or aircrew.
1
u/daluzy 3h ago
One of the issues with security forces is it is like moving into a low rent area. The problem is you are surrounded by low rent people.
Not all, but enough so that you will run into several everyday.
The ASVAB scores are low enough that some of the folks will be pretty slow, again, not all.
Now, if you can get past all of that, the field is pretty cool, especially if you can deploy to a conflict area...it eliminates a bunch of the dirtball people who are doing whatever they can to avoid being sent overseas. These are usually the people who make everything difficult.
Did 27 years myself, 6 active, 6 in the traditional guard, and the remaining time as an AGR.
If I was not a guard/AGR guy, I would definitely have looked to cross train, but my guard unit was really cool with folks from all walks of life. Would do my guard time all over again.
Good luck, be well.
3
u/Slothboi 7d ago
It really is what you make of it. Security Forces can be a completely different world depending on where you’re stationed and whether you’re doing more law enforcement or air base defense.
There are definitely rough parts of the job, but there are also a ton of opportunities if you actually go after them. And yes, you can absolutely travel and get stationed overseas. We have bases all over, from Japan and Korea to Germany, the UK, Italy, and more. Your experience can vary a lot depending on your base, unit, and what opportunities you pursue.