Chaplains and pilots sought for Reserve positions

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada -- The U.S. Air Force Reserve is looking for officers to serve on a part-time or full-time basis in a couple different career fields.

The force is actively hiring chaplains and pilots to join its officer ranks.

“For fiscal year 2016 and beyond, the Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service has placed special emphasis on hiring for need, said Master Sgt. Tyler Max, AFR Officer Accessions Recruiter.

Presently the Reserve needs non-prior service chaplains, or chaplains currently serving in another branch of service or status who would like to transfer into the Reserve, and Chaplain Candidates.

Chaplain Candidates need to have a Bachelor’s Degree and an interest in the seminary. If selected, they will fulfill paid summer internships with the Reserve while completing a Master of Divinity degree. Recruiters will put Chaplain Candidates in touch with the Chaplain Corps Representatives in an effort to determine if the Chaplain Candidate Program is a good fit for both the applicant and the Reserve.

“It’s great for experience in the seminary as well as seeing if the military lifestyle is something they seek,” said Max. “There is no long-term obligation while in the Chaplain Candidate Program. It’s truly a ‘try it, before you buy it’ program for seminary students.”

Chaplains provide ministry for military employees and their dependents. They are also responsible for protecting the free exercise of religion by all members.

Candidates must receive an ecclesiastical chaplain endorsement from a faith group recognized by the Department of Defense Armed Forces Chaplains Board. Additionally, they must be younger than 35 years old at the time of appointment.

There are also several locations around the Reserve in need of mobility, refueler and Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilots, and Combat Systems Officers. One base that employs RPA pilots is Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.

RPA pilots operate MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft after completing undergraduate flight training. They are responsible for supervising mission planning, preparation, filing of flight plans and crew briefings, and performing navigation, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and weapons employment operations.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, and specialties such as physical science, mathematics, administration or management are most desirable. They must also be eligible for a Top Secret security clearance.

“If someone has an interest or knows of someone who has an interest, I would love to chat with them to discuss the Officer Program,” said Max. “It’s all about getting information out there and finding motivated individuals to fill the positions of need in the Air Force Reserve.”

For more information on the Officer Program, contact Master Sgt. Max at 520-298-8179 or tyler.max@us.af.mil.

(Information collected from afreserve.com website.)