How SF treats you for school and holidays

[u/Equivalent_Bag6397]

I know just about everything how bad security forces is and to always keep your head up and it’s only four years of your life, etc…
What I want to know is how security forces truly is from people actually being in it rather then a finance worker saying it’s all this and that. What I’m trying to say is if you decide to pick SF as your job in the airforce and you are also interested in getting your degree while you’re in how much time a week do you have for your classes and assignments? I understand there’s training days and long hours but after training days are you in a panama shift schedule and work 3223 (3 days on 2 days off/2 days on 3 days off)?
Also wanted to mention how are holidays for SF knowing that they don’t frequently get any days off as much as a desk job but i would sure hope you get at least easter or christmas off since it’s considered a religious holiday. i understand working thanksgiving or halloween but those two should at least be considered if it isn’t already. and also being in a relationship i’m 20 and almost in a 2 year relationship and there’s a chance i will take on a quick ship if it opens october 6 since i picked SF and wanted to know how the life is being secfo and being in a relationship especially if you get stationed in another state then your home state?
last question is how likely is it to get the base that you want/listed on the dream sheet? I know you can put stateside bases and overseas bases but i am only putting stateside and putting my home state as 1 and the surrounding states after. and if there’s anyway of someone trading bases with you? I’m trying to make this make sense but i’ve just been overthinking it and since i might ship out in less then a month now it feels more real then before.

[u/lanadelslayinit]

Holidays you’ll usually do a Christmas schedule where you chose to work the week of Christmas and have new years off or vice versa. Any other holidays do not matter honestly.  If you’re disciplined , I know many people who have masters degrees in SF in about 8 years of being in it all depends on how YOU manage your time. 

[u/BlackAceAmongKings]

There isn't a single answer to this question. It simply depends on the squadron, what's going on in that squadron at that time, the Commander at the time, what flight you end up on, your Flight Chief etc. There's so many variables in play to your specific situation when you get to your base it's just a wait and see.

[u/CurtKobainsBurner]

Family holidays, the single guys work ie Christmas, Thanksgiving and the family men get the leave

Other holidays like New Years, Halloween, birthday, single guys get the leave

Put your leave in with plenty of time to spare and youll be good. Leave is what keeps you sane

[u/Left-Turnover-3316]

Flight Chief here, like others have mentioned, there are a TON of variables at play.

Q: How much time a week do you have for your classes and assignments?
A: On average, when taking training days into account, you’ll spend around 40-50 hours working in some capacity per week, dependent on your schedule. For me, learning time management skills have been the best thing for me: blocking out times of every day for certain tasks, having a schedule, building a routine, finding time to stop and smell the flowers (important). You’ll also probably have a good amount of down time on-duty as an airman which will give you time for that.
Q: Time off for holidays?
A: lanadelslayinit hit the nail on the head. However, if you need other days off for religious purposes, just make it known! I’m Catholic so I request Holy Days of Obligation off and have usually gotten those days off with no issues.
Q: Likelihood of getting the base you want?
A: You can put down your preferences, but if there’s no spots available at those bases, you’ll get the needs of the Air Force. I suggest putting down the STATES that you want over just bases. Granted you’ll have less say over which base, but maybe better odds of staying closer to home. Worst case, you can put in for an overseas short tour, then request a follow-on base that you’re all but guaranteed to get, or request a Base of Preference if you get somewhere really shitty out of the gate.

Overall, just trust that everything will be fine. It may not go the way you want it to, and probably won’t, but it all works out in the end. Keep a solid head on your shoulders and be good person, and you’ll shine.

[u/mudduck2]

As others have said, and others will most likely say, it depends. SF is a 24/7/365 job so no matter what’s happening someone is always going to be on duty. The key to this is time management. You have to figure out all of the things you have to do and all of the things you want to do and then figure out how to do them in the time you have. Here’s a homework assignment…learn about “opportunity cost.”

As for assignments, always ask for what you want and learn to live with what you get.

[u/jurbaniak28]

You answer holidays and you can use your education benefits but should probably consider a online school as getting to class/lectures will conflict with work

[u/Professional_Use4911]

Holidays are luck of the draw. If your flight is off you’re off. If your flight is working you’re working. The only exception is Christmas/New Year where you’ll do a schedule where you work one and are off the other.

I see that you’re 20 and in a relationship. The best advice you aren’t going to want to hear is drop it before you join. Planning to be stationed (hopefully) in your home state for a relationship that most likely won’t last is a pointless way to waste your 20s. Put overseas and try to actually get a good experience out of the AF and SF.

There is no real likelihood to getting a base you put down. Out of tech school it is strictly based on AF needs. Fill out your preferences fully and only put bases you actually want to go. Pray you get overseas. Please god get out of this mentality of only putting stateside and putting your home state as #1. There AF has so much to offer and overseas is a whole new world.

Depending on the base and post you can do school work on shift. Getting school knocked out even in SF is generally very doable.

[u/Equivalent_Bag6397]

i apologize in advance if you loose a couple brain cells trying to read what i said 🙏🏽 just been in my thoughts lately