Generally the officer ranks as Airman First Class during this phase of the apprenticeship. Next, the officer undergoes the journeyman phase of the career. The journeyman phase involves more hands-on experience and on-the-job training than the apprentice level. Officially, this stage is referred to as 5-skill level and be achieved once the officer has been promoted to the rank of Senior Airman. In order to progress in the career, the officer must also enroll in a career development course (CDC) (Powers). Training at this stage lasts about fifteen months on average. After this, the officer is certified to perform the duties of the job without supervision (Powers).

After five years as Senior Airman Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman, the officer may be promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and can commence work as a 7-level craftsman (Powers). As craftsman, the officer may supervise teams of apprentices and journeymen, becoming a leader and specialist in the field of aircrew safety equipment.

Finally, when the officer has been promoted to Senior Master Sergeant he or she can fill senior managerial positions such as flight chief and then classified as superintendent. This is at the 9-skill level. By this time, the officer can and should develop leadership skills that can easily be transferred to a number of different personnel settings. The officer is expected to continually upgrade skills via familiarity with new and emerging technologies related to aircrew safety.

Because a career as an aircrew equipment specialist combines skills from multiple sectors including life support and survival equipment, the officer will enjoy numerous opportunities. Within the United States Air Force, the officer can receive further training if desired to transfer those skills towards aircraft maintenance or aircrew training. Of course, any career shift within the Air Force may require new training even for a high ranking officer. If the officer wished to pursue a more technical career such as...

Private and commercial jet companies can depend on an Air Force officer's formal education and training in equipment safety. Companies that manufacture aircrew and life support equipment can depend on the officer's military training, which will in many cases be more advanced than that coming from a standard technical school. Therefore, consultancy positions may prove lucrative. Military flight equipment and life support equipment will be cutting-edge and therefore, training in aircrew equipment can help the officer develop ideas for new equipment as well. Therefore, the military officer can help private companies develop products that better serve their employees or apply knowledge towards new business ventures.
Works Cited

Air University. "Degree Program Title: Aircrew Safety Systems Technology." Retrieved Mar 23, 2010 from http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/catalog/2008cat/goals/Goal%20&%20LOs-Aircrew%20Safety%20Systems.pdf

"Air University Facts Sheet." Retrieved Mar 23, 2010 from http://www.au.af.mil/au/facts.asp

Gyokeres, Parker. "Aircrew life support, survival equipment merge to form Aircrew Flight Equipment." Moody Air Force Base. Retrieved Mar 23, 2010 from http://www.moody.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123056500

Powers, Rod. "Air Force Enlisted Job Descriptions and Qualification Factors." About.com. Retrieved Mar 23, 2010 from http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjobs.htm

United States Air Force, "Aircrew Flight Equipment Apprentice." Retrieved Mar 23, 2010 from http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/enlisted/careers/mechanical/aircrew-flight-equipment-apprentice/

United States Air Force. "Career opportunities." Web site retrieved Mar 23, 2010 from http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/officer/