Table of Contents

Introduction

Methodology

Discussion

Work Environment

Basic Training

State Side

Deployed

Mission Statement

Dress Code

Rules

Compensation

Conclusion

References

Introduction
This report has been complied to assist potential Airmen in understanding possible working
environments, careers, and requirements associated with joining the Air National Guard. While
most can quote National Guard television ads about working only, one weekend a month, two
weeks a year while utilizing their college benefits and exploring the world. The Air National
Guard may also offer full time positions in your state for career oriented Airmen.
As an Airman, since December 2009, I have experienced some of the career possibilities of
working for the Air National Guard. I applied for a Logistics Plans position and started out as,
what the Air National Guard calls a Traditional Airmen, working one weekend a month to
securing a full time position as a Technician, working hours similar to any corporate position.
While working full time as a Logistics Plans Technician, in charge of organizing deployments
for my unit and other related programs, I have deployed twice in my career and look forward to
the next opportunity.
Currently, I am attending Salt Lake Community College after work to obtain needed classes to
advance my career in the Air National Guard. The Air National Guard has played a pivotal role
in funding most of my tuition costs as well as allowing me to attend other classes to procure any
desired career after my retirement or commitment has been fulfilled.

Methodology
Supporting documentation gathered for this report has been provided by the below resources:
I.
II.

Print resources: Personal journal, email, and letters

Electronic resources: Air National Guard Website, Military Pay Tables Website,
and Utah Human Resources Website

III.

Empirical resources: Interviewed SSgt Nathan Anderson

Discussion
Applying to be in the Air National Guard may have been one if not the best discussions I have
made in my adult life. After high school, attempting to achieve a future that excluded a job in the
retail industry seemed impossible. The Air National Guard not only increased my outlook on life
but gave me tools to be more successful in life. The following topics will give a brief overview
of the culture I have personally experienced and may give insight to those who may be thinking
about become an Airman like I have.

Work Environment
Basic Training
Before getting to the office setting I currently reside in 40 plus hours a week, each prospective
Airman must complete an ultimate test of their physical, mental, and emotional being by
accomplishing basic training and tech school ("Air National Guard," n.d.). The basic training
environment is extremely stressful, demanding perfection and following orders without
hesitation. It is not uncommon for this to be too stressful for those who are not prepared to adapt.
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Tech school holds similar stress levels while being taught how to be the best at your assigned
position. The whole process can take a few months to over a year to be fit for duty in your
position within the actual Air National Guard.
State Side
The position I trained for, Logistics Plans, spends most of its time in an office environment
within cubicles. Most of the cubicles are decorated with the patches and insignias of their unit or
deployments that Airman completed plus any medals or accomplishments presented to them.
Occasionally some Airmen display favorite red or blue local sports teams or their complete
obsession with the color pink. Perfection usually follows from basic training to the desk space
and work areas are usually well organized and clutter free. Office communication is most
commonly made through email or office meetings in one of the conference rooms.
Deployed
In the process of deploying, a logistics planner will coordinate directly with aircrew, via phone
and email, to load aircraft with the needed personnel and equipment. This usually involves
driving to the aircraft and assisting with loading heavy equipment. The process is reversed once
getting to the deployed location. The deployed office space usually switches to a less decorative
environment and can vary from tent structures to dedicated buildings. Deployed housing consists
of tent structures, trailers, or hotels, all of which is usually a higher standard than of the other
armed services located in the area. Most of my personal deployment housing experience was
located in hotels. While deployed there is a comradery with your fellow Airmen and they often
become your second family. Your second family of Airmen often offers sport related activities
during downtime and sometimes hosts great BBQs if available.
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Mission Statement
The Air National Guard has several statements in the form of values, mottos, and creeds. The
core values are, Integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do, and the motto is,
Fly, Fight, Win! ("Air National Guard," n.d.). In essence, the Air Forces goal is to be the best
of the best and remain as the number 1 air superiority and fighting force of the world. My fellow
Airmen and I have great pride in all that we accomplish and provide for the Air National Guard
and people of the United States.

Dress Code
Uniforms and a professional appearance are very important and required while working for the
Air National Guard. Men are required to keep their hair short at all times and facial hair shaved
daily. Women have guidelines to keep their hair styles up and neat to fit with the uniform.
Uniforms are kept immaculate and are worn in a specific manner as to give the best public
appearance to any audience. The deployed and daily uniform worn is called the ABU, this is the
camouflage uniform most associated with the military. Until recently, every Monday was called
Blues Monday due to the fact each member had to wear their formal service dress uniform
which happens to be blue. The uniform worn for physical training is a specific t-shirt tucked into
a pair of blue short running shorts. Anytime a member falls outside the guidelines of how they
are supposed to be dressed they may be stopped to fix the problem immediately.

Rules
Airmen are held to higher standards than average United States citizens and have to abide by the
Uniform Code of Military Justice. A major rule that differs from a standard job is the
requirement to maintain a certain level of fitness to keep the job. Serious offences against
regulations or disobeying orders may result in reduction of pay, losing rank, or your job.
Accidentally sleeping in without informing your supervisor in a timely manner may result in an
AWAL status; you may get a knock at your door wondering why you are not at work. While at
work specific regulations are required to accomplish your job in detail, I follow multiple
regulations, each having a couple hundred pages of content. Whenever there is a dispute about
how something is to be done, referencing the regulations has the final say in most cases.

Compensation
Unlike the Active Duty Air Force and the Air Force Reserves the Air National Guard has
primarily three different types of salary or statuses available, Traditional, Active Guard or
Orders, and Technician. Traditional pay this is where an Airman does not have a full time job
and is only attending weekends once a month. This is ideal for the single full time student who
wants to take advantage of the education benefits which may include up to 100% paid tuition and
a monthly stipend from state and federal resources. The pay is an equivalent to the hourly wages
of Active Duty and Active Guard while attending the weekends but you may want to accompany
this salary with a part time job if you are paying for living expenses yourself ("Military Pay
Charts for 2014 and 2015 (Proposed)," n.d.).
Active Guard or Orders, is the full time version of working for the Air National Guard. It is
essentially similar to the Active Duty Air Force except you stay at your hired location instead of
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the potential of being moved overseas and other places multiple times in your career. Active
Guard positions have the benefit of mostly free health care provide you get treatment from
approved locations; a military hospital. Active Guard has slightly less educational benefits as
they are unable to receive certain state funded benefits. Also, unlike Traditional and Technician
positions Active Guard positions are salary based and do not get paid extra during the monthly
weekends. Overall, this is an ideal position to be in for a career as you may retire in a short 20
years like the Active Duty Air Force.
Technicians are paid similar to government employees on a GS or WG scale rather than pay
grade or rank ("Human Resources Office Tech Page," n.d.). Technicians have the educational
benefits of a Traditional and are able to utilize the state and federal benefits. Technicians do not
have access to the nearly free health care of an Active Guard position, but have access to
discounted health care for federal employees and are seen by civilian doctors, which may be of
better quality in cases. Although retirement is not automatically available in a short 20 years,
access to matched retirement plans is comparable.

Conclusion
While working for the Air National Guard may require higher discipline and test your, physical,
mental, and emotional wellbeing. The Air National Guard offers beneficial options, by taking
advantage of the educational benefits as a Traditional or working full time and utilizing the
excellent health, retirement, and other benefits. Joining the Air National Guard will let you be
part of something bigger than yourself, enjoy parts of the world without long term moves, and
enjoy a very rewarding and patriotic career.

References

Military Pay Charts for 2014 and 2015 (Proposed). (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.militaryrates.com/military-pay-charts
Human Resources Office Tech Page. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.ut.ngb.army.mil/hro/Technician%20Page/Technician.htm
Air National Guard. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.goang.com/