An airman is any person enlisted in the United States Air Force; the term may also be applied to people enlisted in the British Royal Air Force. In order to become an airman, you will need to enlist in the Air Force of your country; this means you must meet the criteria for acceptance as outlined by that branch of the military. You will need to complete a high school education or equivalent in order to become an airman, and you will also need to research the various specific jobs within the Air Force to find the one that you want to pursue.
The term "airman" generally refers to any person enlisted in the Air Force, not just pilots. To become an airman, you will need to research which jobs are appropriate for you. Becoming a pilot is a rigorous process that requires a significant amount of training, and the competition for such positions will be fierce. If you do not want to become a pilot, you can become an airman in another capacity. Communications experts, maintenance personnel, fuel experts and many more fields will offer airman positions.
The pay scale will vary according to the level of training you achieve after you become an airman. You are considered an airman after you complete basic training, and your rank will increase as you receive more specialized training in a specific area, or as you spend more time as an enlisted person. Once you undergo training for a job field, you may increase in rank, and the corresponding pay rate for your rank will rise as well.
Some positions you may want to consider when you become an airman include an air traffic controller, electrician, structural mechanic, electronics technician, or warfare systems operator. These positions will allow you to become an airman without ever leaving the ground if you so choose, though you may end up traveling to different parts of the world to perform these tasks. Many airmen even work on aircraft carriers or other water vessels, as aircraft can take off or land from the decks of such vessels. You should also be prepared to dedicate several years of your life to service in the military; you may be enlisted for as little as four years, or you may choose to become a career airman.
