Air Force Security

Security Forces personnel are the Air Force's first line of defense and it is their job to maintain the rule of law on all Air Force bases and installations. All police activities associated with an Air Force base, from securing the perimeter of the base to being a dog handler, fall under this career field. Security Forces personnel are responsible for ensuring the safety of all base weapons, property and personnel from hostile forces. Security Forces personnel also train dog teams in all aspects of canine law enforcement and are occasionally assigned to an armory to control and safeguard arms, ammunition and equipment. This career field directly leads into a civilian job of law enforcement officer, security personnel and related government security agencies. (Photo courtesy USAF - Air Force Security spend many hours guarding aircraft in all types of weather conditions)

All applicants will undergo training at the Air Force Security Forces Academy at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. This is a 65-day course that teaches security forces students basic military police functions, including missile security, convoy actions, capture and recovery of nuclear weapons, law enforcement and directing traffic. The course also teaches non lethal tactics, such as using pepper spray and pressure points on a body.

For entry into this specialty, individuals must have normal color vision, have no history of personality disorders and be qualified to bear arms according to AFI 31-207, Arming and Use of Force by Air Force Personnel. Applicants must also have a clean criminal history, be able to speak distinctly, be eligible to receive a Secret security clearance and earn a general score of 33 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery entrance exam.