10 Worst Jobs in the Air Force

The Air Force offers plenty of rewarding career paths and opportunities to serve your country.

Still, it is also home to some of the most demanding and dangerous jobs on the planet. Not all of them have the same prestige or pay grade associated with them.

They are termed the worst jobs, not because they are unimportant. But because these military positions are not particularly glamorous, demand long hours and monotonous work, and are generally not pleasurable.

Please continue reading to learn which jobs made our list of the top 10 worst jobs in the Air Force.

If you are thinking about entering the ranks of the most elite combat force or just curious about what some of the worst Air Force careers might look like.

You might be interested in what some of these worst jobs in the Air Force are and how you can avoid them. Here are 10 of the worst jobs in the Air Force.

SEE ALSO: Best Jobs in the Air Force for Females

10 Worst Jobs in the Air Force

Combat Controller

Combat Controllers often risk their lives to call in air strikes and supplies behind enemy lines.

But that’s not what makes them number one on our list of worst jobs in the Air Force. 

It’s their physical fitness test: a 1.5-mile run in boots and pants, followed by a timed obstacle course with 30 obstacles like climbing over walls and crawling under barbed wire.

Client Systems (3D1X1)

This is one of those jobs that makes people think, So, what did you do in the Air Force?

It’s a monotonous job that entails maintaining data systems and software for command-and-control applications. 

You might get to look at cool things once in a while. Still, for most of your time in Client Systems, you’ll be hunched over a computer screen, following instructions from an automated checklist and performing tedious tasks.

The job is comparable to the responsibilities of a civilian I.T. technician. Although it is not the worst job in the Air Force, it is also not the first thing that springs to mind when someone enlists in the U.S. Air Force.

Although it is not the worst Air Force job you can imagine, it is also not what most people think of when they enroll in the country.

Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Specialist

SERE Specialist is one of those jobs that sounds bad initially but becomes downright terrifying once you learn more about it.

They conduct Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training for aircrews. 

That’s right, these guys teach U.S. Military pilots how to survive in enemy territory if they’re shot down. 

Aircraft Loadmaster

Aircraft loadmasters ensure cargo and passengers are safely loaded onto military aircraft.

Because of their military duties, they aren’t eligible to earn a commercial pilot’s license (usually required to be employed as a civilian aircraft loadmaster). 

Despite pretty low salaries, being an aircraft loadmaster is still worth it because it affords them excellent work benefits, including frequent travel and exclusive events.

Laundry Crew

Being a member of an Air Force laundry crew means being responsible for washing and folding your clothes and those of everyone in your unit.

This job often requires you to work early or late hours and be on call whenever necessary.

SEE ALSO: In-Demand Jobs: 20 Best Jobs in the Air Force

Dorm Chief

There’s nothing worse than having your own room but sharing it with a complete stranger.

While you might be able to get along with your roommates, there will always be someone who leaves their shoes in front of the door or never picks up after themselves. 

Those clean, organized dorms you see on T.V. don’t exist; dorm chiefs are tasked with keeping them looking that way.

Latrine Crew

There are few tasks as unglamorous in any service as emptying out latrines. It’s not exactly a job most people want to do, but it is sometimes necessary.

Weather Officer

While weather officer is not the worst job in the Air Force, per se, it’s definitely one of the most difficult.

Weather officers must be highly detail-oriented because they take weather readings from all over a base and use them to predict future weather patterns.

Air Transportation (2T2X1)

USAF Air Transportation manages many moving parts in a hectic, physically demanding work setting.

Air Transportation Specialists must transport cargo and passengers safely and quickly to maintain order on a military base.

While easily one of the worst Air Force jobs due to the hectic and physical nature, it’s still a means to getting into the U.S. Armed Forces.

Air Force Services (3F1X1)

The Air Force Services (3F1X1) position is among the worst. Most jobs in the services sector involve providing housing or meals.

Air Force Services is essential and required while not being elegant or highly engaging.

It would help if you remembered that military bases operate similarly to small communities, requiring the standard fundamental services.

USAF Services works to maintain and run hotels, restaurants, and fitness facilities on military bases. Most jobs in the services sector (3F1X1) are related to hospitality.

SEE ALSO: Air Force Basic Training, Day by Day

Conclusion

As exciting as it is to start your Air Force career, some of those jobs will be tough.

The only reason they have termed worst is their lack of excitement; some are even the same as civilian jobs. 

Remember that even in your worst job in the Air Force, there’s always hope: with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, there are thousands of incredible opportunities waiting for you.