507th ARW Security Forces

Four Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructors from the 507th Security Forces Squadron walk out to check targets at the firing range after Airmen fire their M-4 carbines during weapons qualification Oct. 3, 2015, at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Reservists interested in joining the Security Forces career field are eligible to receive an enlistment bonus of up to $20,000 for committing to a six-year enlistment, and prior-service Airmen interested in retraining into the field are eligible for a bonus of up to $15,000. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason)

507th ARW Security Forces

Security Forces Airmen eligible for $20K in bonuses

Published Jan. 12, 2016
By Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason
507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Reservists interested in joining the Security Forces career field are eligible to receive an enlistment bonus of up to $20,000 for committing to a six-year enlistment, and prior-service Airmen interested in retraining into the field are eligible for a bonus of up to $15,000.

According to Master Sgt. Eric Kiddie of the 507th Security Forces Squadron here, there are many long-term benefits to joining the SFS team in addition to securing the bonus check.

"Working in the security forces career field helps Airmen continue their careers down the road, especially those interested in pursuing a criminal justice degree," said Kiddie.

507th SFS commander 1st Lt. Christopher Yates said that he couldn't pass up opportunity the retrain into the career field.

"I joined security forces to stay close to home while being part of something bigger," said Yates, a former member of the 507th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Defense is the reason why I joined the military in the first place. This is a direct way to do that for the Air Force."

Another incentive to make the switch to SF is the extra days of seasoning training, or STP, he said. Usually, Airmen receive only 30 days of STP orders following tech school, but Airmen can utilize 139 days of STP orders to gain hands-on experience following initial training.

"We have a great relationship with the 72nd SFS," said Yates. "We have the opportunity to get our Airmen trained up with their active duty counterparts while on STP orders."

According to Kiddie, joining the unit is a useful stepping stone for Airmen and their careers.

"Enlisting in this field gives Airmen a broad range of knowledge," said Kiddie. "Security Forces is made up of different areas, ranging from law enforcement and K-9 to combat arms or investigations. Obtaining experience in these fields sets Airmen up to apply to be a member of the Office of Special Investigations, the local police department, the FBI or the U.S. Marshal Service.

Technical training is conducted at the Security Forces Academy at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Over the course of 65 academic days, students learn about missile security, convoy actions, capture and recovery of nuclear weapons, law enforcement, directing traffic and nonlethal tactics such as using pepper spray and pressure points on a body.

The course recently changed from 51 to 65 academic days, and although standard training aspects remain, the revised course was designed to increase the students' proficiency levels. The new course eliminated the computer-based training that students were required to take at their first duty station, allowing the students to get actual hands-on experience while still at the Academy.

If you are interested in Security Forces, contact Chief Master Sgt. Steven Fousek in the AFRC Central Recruiting Squadron at 405-734-5331, or via email at Steven.Fousek@us.af.mil for career opportunities in the Reserve.