I'm thinking about becoming an Acquisition Manager. Can someone give me details on this AFSC? Assignments, Deployments, Size of AFSC? Thanks

2015-06-10T10:40:24-04:00

Does this AFSC make you feel accomplished at the end of the day?

Thank you!

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-06-10T10:46:19-04:00

I enjoy it. It's challenging, but it's a great way to impact the future through force development. Feeling accomplished at the end of the day depends on your perspective. There can be days that feel like you didn't make progress, but those days fade for me when I get to see systems operating on the field. It can be 'delayed gratification', though since some fielding a don't happen until you've moved to another program. Your enjoyment will depend on what makes you feel accomplished at the end of the day.

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Jun 10 at 2015 10:56 AM

2015-06-10T10:56:08-04:00

It is definitely a different career field. Not many enlisted (since there isn't an equivalent enlisted AFSC) unless you have subject matter experts working with you on your program (i.e. comm troops on IT programs, MX troops on depot programs, etc.). Because of that, you likely won't be directly supervising other military until you are at least a senior Captain.

I've done it for 13 years now (12.9 as military and now three months as a GS-1101) and have enjoyed it most of the time.

You'll definitely be limited in "seeing the fruits of your labor" when working on programs; especially larger ACAT programs. You could be at an assignment for 3-4 years and be in the same acquisition phase the entire time.

You'll also have limited places for assignments. The big ones are Wright-Patterson, Hanscom, Los Angeles (for space programs), multiple DC area (Pentagon, Ft. Belvior, other 3 & 4 letter agencies located around DC), Eglin, Hill, JB San Antonio, Gunter, & Warner-Robbins. You'll also have a hard time doing anything but acquisition assignments - unless you get selected for specific programs (AIEET, ALEET, AFIT, etc.) it is very hard to get released by the career for any other type of assignment unless it is on the "Hot Jobs" list. I tried to go teach Chemistry at the Academy twice and got denied twice by the career field managers despite being accepted by the Academy to teach there.

Like any other job, it is all in what you make out of it, but after your first tour as a LT, you'll quickly be put in positions where you're making multi-million dollar decisions for the Air Force that will have budgetary and mission affects for many years after. I've enjoyed it, which is why I stuck around to become a civilian in the career field after I separated from Active Duty (that and I get to buy back my military time towards a civilian retirement since I didn't have enough time to take early retirement when I separated).

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 10 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-06-10T11:20:19-04:00

I had a blast as a 63. The feeling of accomplishment you mention is much different than most military jobs. There are times you may get thrust into an operational role during testing and evaluation and it really sweetens the deal. Depending on the system and program you're working on, you may have times when you turn on the news and see your project flying, fighting, and doing great things downrange. It's heavy on the risk management side and you'll learn some great skills for the civilian sector as well. Expect to be working alongside, leading, and evaluating defense companies of all sizes. You could easily have a small army of Lockheed Martin employees working for your program and you need to be ready to lead them through design, qualification, testing, and final buy-off. You'll rely heavily on the engineers who have worked in this world for decades, but it truly is one the most interesting career fields if you embrace learning technical material and love learning about things that won't even hit the news for years after. Feel free to connect with me and I'll give you more details on the typical assignments and bases you will be looking at. Best of luck TSgt Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 9:04 PM

2015-06-19T21:04:37-04:00

I've had a very fulfilling acquisition career. I do think a lot more demands are being placed on acquisition professionals (which really included Program Mgt, Contracting and FM) then previously but it's still a dynamic job with huge potential.

TSgt Seago - are you considering becoming a GS? I think someone pointed it out earlier but there don't seem to be very many enlisted opportunities.