Air Force Tech School is an exciting place to be when you are finished with your Air Force Basic Military Training. Completing Basic Training now signifies that you have mastered the basics of what it takes to be in the armed forces especially the Air Force. Now, the Air Force will send you to Air Force Tech School where you will learn everything you need to know to execute your role for your job during your enlistment in the Air Force.
Tech School is a bit different as the environment is focused more on learning the ins and outs and nuisances of your given role. While there is a little more freedom at Tech School with weekends off and off base privileges, it is still an environment to help train and mold you to be the best Airman you can be.
The better you perform at Tech School will help you in your career so hit the books early and often while you are there.
How Long is Tech School?
When you are going to your Tech School, the length of how long you will be there depends on your job and the scope of work. Most of the Air Force Tech Schools are located in one of these four bases listed below.
- Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas
- Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas
- Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi
- Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas
When and where you attend tech school does not decide what base you will be stationed at after your graduation. In basic training, you will give your top location preferences and the Air Force will take them and the needs of the Air Force into consideration when giving you your new duty station.
When you are at tech school, the range of time at the school can be from six to seventy-two weeks depending upon your line of work. Some schools like those in cybersecurity attend school for fifty days while those in health management attend tech school for 36 days. A great benefit of attending tech school is that you will receive college credits from the Community College of the Air Force.
The Community College of the Air Force is a federal program offered by the US Air Force that grants a two year Associate Degree in partnership with Air University.
Air Force Tech School Phases
Though each tech school will vary in length, depending on what your line of work will be, tech school is made up of three different phases.
Phase One of Air Force Tech School
Phase one of tech school will begin on day one of tech school through the 14th day. These first two weeks of tech school are structured similar to basic training, with a lot of enforcement of rules.
Phase Two of Air Force Tech School
Phase two begins on the 15th day of tech school and will last until the 35th day of training. During Phase two of tech school Airmen will learn what is to be expected of them during their time in training. They will earn more privileges as they are earned.
Phase Three of Air Force Tech School
The 35th day of tech school will mark the beginning of phase three. Phase three will grant Airmen a lot more freedom than the other phases. Read below to learn more about having visitors during tech school.
Can I have a Visitor at Tech School?
You are required to stay on base your first two weeks and may not have any visitors during that period (phase one). During weeks three and four(phase two), you may leave the base with visitors but must wear your uniform at all times.
During week four is when you can leave base completely without wearing your uniform. There will be times when you may have liberty periods or restrictions enforced based on your chain of command so please be aware of any orders or changes coming down from your Sergeant or any high rank.
What’s After Tech School?
After tech school Airman have the opportunity to take leave before they head to their first permanent duty station. Traditionally, Airman will get ten days leave before they report to their duty station.
Airman also
The Recruiter Assistance Program gives Airmen the opportunity to work with their local recruiting office in an effort help with recruiting.
If my husband has dependents on his orders for tech school ft Sam Houston. Is phasing rules the same or different? His schooling is 1 year long and I would like to know an estimate of how long it’ll take him to get to phase 3 so he can live with us.
why are the airmen required to purchase bedding and internet in their rooms during tech school? I thought the AirForce provided everything for them while in training
I’m interested in what Air Force Tech School is like!
When the Airman on RAP doesn’t the Airmen get flown home on Airforce dime to work that then their next duty station?
Just wondering if I could bring clothes with me to graduation for my daughter for tech school or do I ha e to ship them after?
Ship them after. I graduated Aug 2021. My husband brought clothes for me and I wasn’t allowed to bring anything back with me
If you have a wife and base housing is full, do you then start getting the BHA to pay for rent out of base?
What day of the week are Airmen released from tech school? Are there any days between BMT and tech school? I’m grateful for any guidance!
who respects military schools ?
Non-communists, unlike you.
Wow. That’s mature. How old are you?
are recruits in tech school able to go off base now?
how many tests do you take in tech school for security forces
only 2 and you need to score above 70
After tech school, you go to your next duty station. If you are married you may apply for on base housing. If you are not married , you have to live in dorms . There is no garages that I know of for dorms . But there are at housing . Every on house base is different pay rates . Just depends on state and zip code , etc .
If you have a wife and base housing is full, do you then start getting the BHA to pay for rent out of base?
You should be getting BAH in basic and tech school based on the zip code where your dependents live.
When you get your assignment, you should be contacted by your sponsor at your new base.
You can forward copies of your orders to your sponsor and they can use your orders to put you on the list for base housing (if you are married), reserve you a room in the dorms or start the off base housing process (if you aren’t married, depending on the single quarters situation at your base).
Due to COVID are you still able to leave off base on weekends at shepherds AFB during tech school?
Have you gotten an answer to this! I’m wondering the same thing!
Unfortunately not . Probably will not be allowed until may 2021 . But if your dependent has a military ID. They can visit.