The Air Force. Is it Safe or Dangerous?

When it comes to the Air Force, there are so many different job roles to choose from.

Some of these jobs may be more hands on and dangerous than others, but knowing about these different sectors can help you to decide what you want to do.

Something that might have crossed your mind is whether you have to jump out of a plane during basic training.

If you are thinking of joining the Air Force, then it is understandable that you would have lots of questions about what it might entail, and we aim to answer some of these questions here in this article. 

Hopefully, this will help to give you an idea of some of the things that you can expect from the Air Force and the different jobs that go into making it work. We are also going to look at some of the safest and most dangerous jobs in the Air Force.

Do You Have to Jump Out of a Plane in Basic Training?

No, you do not have to jump out of a plane in basic training, as the Air Force is more focussed on a pilot’s ability to have the same number of landings and takeoffs.

Essentially, there is no reason to jump out of a plane during basic training.

There are some things that you will have to learn about for safety reasons, but actually jumping out of a plane is not one of them.

However, if you were going to go into a more specialized field, then this type of training could well include jumping out of a plane.

It all depends on what you are training to do within the Air Force.

What Jobs in the Air Force Jump Out of Planes?

There are lots of different jobs in the air force, but not all of them will involve jumping out of a plane. The 82nd Airborne Divisions and the 101st Airborne Divisions both consist of jobs that require people to learn how to jump out of a plane.

To join any of the Air Force jobs that will require you to jump out of a plane, you will need to go through Airborne School, which is a school that will provide you with the training to be able to do this.

In these schools, you will be able to warm your wings and then go on to join whichever sector of the Air Force that you intend to join. It doesn’t matter what this sector is, as everyone will go through the same 3-week course.

This course will teach you all of the techniques, knowledge, and experience that you need for safely parachuting out of a plane.

As well as this, you will also learn how to land safely, and you will take a non-assisted jump test. 

What is the Most Dangerous Job in the Air Force?

One of the most dangerous jobs in the Air Force is pararescue, which often requires you to put your life on the line in order to save somebody else’s life.

This is a job that can have serious consequences if there was a parachute malfunction, which is why it is one of the most dangerous jobs.

This job can also often include heading into hostile conditions or those with difficult terrain to save someone.

In this job, para rescuers may be required to rescue airmen in water, mountain, desert terrain or Arctic conditions. 

Many of the people that apply for this job do not make it to the end of the training program. 

Survival Specialist Challenges

Some airmen will need to take a survival evasion, resistance, and escape course for the type of career that they want to go into in the Air Force. 

A SERE specialist is somebody that is trained to survive any situation, including being left in the wilderness and knowing how to find food, shelter, and stay alive.

Someone that takes part on this course will need to be able to survive capture by terrorists and learn tactics to resist interrogation and possible torture.

So, any career that involves this type of training is going to be risky and dangerous.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Hazards

This involves specialists that will ensure that explosives are detected and properly disposed of. Explosive ordnance disposal specialists are skilled at identifying bombs and explosives that are nuclear, chemical, and biological.

What Are the Safest Jobs in the Air Force?

Cyber Systems Operator

These airmen are tasked with cybersecurity for the Air Force, and they develop, install, and maintain systems to ensure that the country’s data is safe and out of enemy hands.

Air Traffic Control

This job is a vital part of aviation, and it involves tracking airplanes, giving out departure and landing instructions, monitoring flights, and providing pilots with essential information.