Air Force Tech School is the next phase of training that follows Basic Military Training (BMT).
Usually, Airmen who have graduated BMT will be immediately sent to tech school, to start learning the skills and knowledge for the particular job you have signed up to do.
This job is identified by what's known as an Air Force Specialty Code and is a series of 4 or 5 characters that will identify the job you have within the Air Force.
The jobs you’re eligible for will be determined by your ASVAB scores and availability of open billets prior to your leavening for BMT (under guaranteed contracts) or during BMT (under open contracts).
The amount of time it takes to complete tech school will depend on the specialty you have signed up for, and there is a fairly large amount of variation regarding this.
There are over 130 career fields Airmen can choose from varying from operations to logistics and a host of other supporting fields.
How Long is Air Force Tech School?
Tech school can last anywhere from 6 to 72 weeks, depending on the job. The more technical, the longer tech school can last.
One of the shortest specialties at tech school is in Health Services Management, and the training for roles in this area typically lasts for around 36 days. Some of the longer specialties are in fields such as intelligence, communications, and linguistics.
All of the information you need about tech school and the course you undertake there will be provided to you to help you prepare for the challenge and give you the best possible chance of success once there.
Do you have a roommate in Air Force tech school?
Typically Airmen are housed two people per room at tech school, meaning you will have at least one roommate while there.
There is usually a shared bathroom and shower shared by at least two rooms, meaning around four people will be sharing a bathroom.
It is possible to be housed with more people, however, and some rooms may have three or four Airmen billeted.
Dorms are typically segregated by sex at tech school, however, if you are a prior service student (meaning you are likely a retrainee) then you may not be billeted with students fresh from BMT, known at NPS (non-prior service) students.
Prior service Airmen will typically be housed differently and may have a few more privileges in recognition of their seniority and prior service.
Do you have weekends off in Air Force Tech School?
Air Force tech school is structured in three phases, and this is important to note because progression through each phase usually comes with a small increase in the privileges available to a student.
Typically, regardless of the phase, you’re in, you will have time off on the weekend for down time and studying unless scheduled for duty or required to complete additional classes or dormitory obligations....like cleaning!
Any time off you are permitted during the weekend is still dependent on the phase of tech school you are in and the freedoms associated with them. Let us explain.
Phase 1
Phase 1 of tech school is similar to BMT in many ways, and a lot of rules are enforced with access to few privileges. This phase usually lasts for around two weeks but could be longer for certain specialties.
Students in phase one are not permitted to leave the base, must be in uniform if outside the dorm, must follow curfew rules, and may not drink alcohol at all, even if they are of legal drinking age.
There is also no access to electronics apart from your personal smartphone which is only permitted to be used during non-duty periods.
Phase 2
In phase two students are permitted new privileges but are also given new responsibilities in line with their increased confidence and understanding.
While still subject to curfew and room inspections, phase two students are permitted to consume alcohol if legally allowed to do so, and are also allowed to drive a car during off duty hours, however you must continue to strictly observe curfew.
Phase 3
Phase three of tech school typically begins just after a month of entering the school, and will then last until you have fully completed your tech school training.
Airmen in phase three are expected to set an example to the lower phases and newer students and give them something to aspire to.
Due to the experience and values that should be second nature to phase three airmen, there is far less supervision and only random spot checks will occur to enforce the rules.
There are even fewer restrictions during this period, meaning that curfew hours are often extended giving students greater freedom during off-duty hours.
Can your spouse live with you during Tech School?
This is a common question that many couples ask during this period, but the answer is that it depends on a few different factors and obstacles that make this difficult if not impossible.
The first and most important reason is that tech school is an incredibly demanding and difficult period of learning for an airman, and their focus during this time is best directed solely at passing tech school.
Failing to pass can lead to retesting, further study, and the extension of a process that can already take considerable time.
Another issue is that many courses at tech school last less than 20 weeks, and if a course is shorter than this the Air Force will not assist with any of the costs of a spouse moving near to a tech school.
There is also the issue of ensuring that the airman is in the appropriate phase.
As mentioned above, Airmen in phases one and two are subject to curfews and strict rules that mean living off base is not permitted.
Airmen must also leave and enter the base using government vehicles, and in the early phases are not even permitted to wear civilian clothing when off base.
All of this can make living with your spouse extremely difficult during tech school. Spouses will not be allowed to live on base, as the dormitories are set up to accommodate several students all sharing the same rooms and bathroom facilities, making it unsuitable for couples.
The main caveat that could permit you to live with your spouse during tech school is if the tech school lasts over 20 weeks.
As long as the Airmen have phased up to the appropriate stage, ideally, stage three, and if the course is long enough the Air Force may assist you in moving near to the tech school, allowing you to live with your spouse.
What is the shortest Air Force Tech School?
There are several courses at tech school that are fairly short, and two of these are Knowledge Operations Management, specialty code 3D0X1, and Health Services Management, specialty code 4A0X1.
This tech school typically lasts around 37 days, barring any failures or disciplinary issues that may hold students back. Tech schools that last a minimum of 6 weeks are usually referred to as "pop-tarts." Sometimes is good to be a pop-tart!
When compared to some courses of over 6 months, this is an incredibly fast turnaround.
Do you get to go home after Air Force Tech School?
After tech school students are usually permitted to request leave before they must report to their first duty assignment.
The amount of time permitted for leave after tech school may vary, but a common period is 10 days, and if airmen haven’t collected enough leave to take this amount of time it may be possible for them to borrow future leave in order to make the most of this break.
Another potential option is that you will be able to take part in the Recruiter Assistance Program which is a period of active duty leave that will involve you assisting recruiters at a local recruitment office.