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Enlistment rules: Air Force

The Air Force is hiring — That’s the message Air Force recruiters have for men and women thinking of joining the service.

While the Air Force is in the midst of cutting back its overall numbers by about 40,000 full-time-equivalent positions, it still needs thousands of new recruits to replace enlisted airmen who are retiring or leaving the military.

“This year we are going to bring in 27,800 [people] and for the foreseeable future 27,800 people,” said Brig. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot, who leads the recruiting efforts.

The service also continues to set high standards for the people it accepts. Nearly 80 percent of Air Force recruits over the past five years scored in the top half if the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test.

The Air Force has seen a growing number of recruits who already have some college credits.

For most jobs, the Air Force won’t offer you an enlistment bonus. Of the more than 200 categories — called Air Force specialty codes in Air Force lingo — only seven offer bonuses.

All seven are for highly skilled jobs.

If you’re good at foreign languages and can qualify as ground-based or flying linguist, the Air Force is offering a $3,000 bonus for four-year commitment and a $12,000 bonus for a six-year commitment.

If the challenge of disarming bombs appeals to you, the Air Force will give you $6,000 for four-year stint and $10,000 for a six-year enlistment.

The other jobs with bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $4,000 are pararescue; survival instructor, special operations combat controller and tactical air command and control. All the jobs are physically demanding and require a lot of time in the field. You won’t be wearing out a computer keyboard.

If you’re interested in enlisting, the best source online for detailed information is the Air Force Recruiting Web site. The Air Force Personnel Center Web site also has information, but it is geared toward serving airmen.