Education and Salary

Aircrew Fundamentals Course, Lackland AFB, TX, 4 weeks

(Tech School): Randolph AFB, TX for 21 class-days. AF Technical School graduation results in the award of a 3-skill level (apprentice).

UAS Fundamentals Course, Randolph AFB in Texas: Students are paired up with UAS Pilot trainees, and go through this course as a two-person flight team.

Average salary of $67,189 annually

Best and Worst

Best: Flying an unmanned aircraft from within the U.S, carrying out special operations such as reconnaissance, survailance, detecting targets, assisting in air navigation and Air Order of Battle (AOB), and weapons delivery.

Worst: Flying missions that can last anywhere from 16 to 20 hours, with very minimal breaks. Also, carrying out high risk missions that could mean life or death for ground troops.

Interesting Facts

There aren't enough people in this career, to the point where 5-6 man teams are only composed of 3-4.

Recently, the U.S Air Force has offered a $125,000 raise to those who are already in this career if they agree to another 5 year contract

There are two types of vehicles used: the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aero vehicles (UAVs).

Even though not many are interested in this field, it is becoming one of the most needed in the Air Force

Anyone in this field cringes when they hear the word "drone", stating that drones are completely unmanned, while theirs are just remotely piloted by a team of humans

While it may not seem so, this job can be extremely stressful. One wrong weapons strike can turn the tide of a war against them, and possibly cause great harm or death to friendlies

Even though everything in the military comes down to the chain of command, if a crew feels that they shouldn't conduct a strike even if they are given clearance, they have the authority to call it off

Sources

http://airman.dodlive.mil/2013/10/we-are-not-drones/

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/1u0x1.htm