1W0X2 - Special Operations Weather (Combat Weather)

Special Operations Weather, commonly referred to in the Air Force as Combat Weat
her, used to be a special duty assignment available only to trained and certifie
d Air Force Weathermen (AFSC 1W0X1). In January 2009, the Air Force decided to m
ake this duty a separate AFSC. Before this new AFSC, weather Airmen applied to b
ecome special operations weathermen after already being in the Air Force. Now, r
ecruiters can enlist trainees directly into the 1W0X2 special operations weather
men career field since the new Air Force specialty code is now in the enlisted c
lassification directory.
1W052 Journeymen assigned to special operations units observe, collect and analy
ze atmospheric, oceanographic, space, terrestrial, riverine and littoral environ
mental information from data sparse, sensitive, non-permissive, hostile and data
denied areas and predict future conditions. They provide tailored analyses, for
ecasts and predictions of mission impact during the joint operational planning p
rocess and military decision making process to enhance the effectiveness of mili
tary operations and training. They integrate tailored analyses, forecasts, and p
redictions of mission impact into the joint operational planning, military decis
ion making, and command and control processes to enhance the effectiveness of mi
litary operations and training. Journeymen operate atmospheric, oceanographic, s
pace, terrestrial, riverine and littoral environmental equipment and monitor spe
cific parameters affecting military operating areas, ranges, and routes. Journey
men forecast local area and mesoscale weather features and alert decision-makers
of severe weather potential. They prepare and deliver briefings and provide mis
sion execution forecasts to aircrews, warfighters, and weapons system operators.
Journeymen conduct environmental collection operations, perform tactical missio
n planning and preparation, prepare personnel and equipment for military operati
ons. They conduct reconnaissance and surveillance of routes, areas, zones and ob
jectives of interest. They operate ground based sensors and unmanned aerial syst
ems to support reconnaissance. Journeymen train SOF, coalition, and foreign nati
onal forces to conduct limited observing and survey host nation meteorological c
apabilities. They deploy by land, sea or air to participate in the full spectrum
of military operations. They use demolitions to create or remove obstacles to m
aneuver and to prepare tactical sites and maintain qualification on primary assi
gned weapons.
Job Training
Initial Skills Training (Tech School): AF Technical School graduation results in
the award of a 3-skill level (apprentice). Following Air Force Basic Training,
airmen in this AFSC attend the following course(s):
* Special Operations Weathermen Selection Course, Lackland AFB, TX - 2 weeks
* Initial Skills Course, Keesler AFB, MS - 30 weeks
* Special Operations Weather Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, MS - 32 weeks
* Airbone (parachute) school, Fort Benning, GA - 2 weeks
* Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Training, Fairchild AFB, W
A, 4 weeks
* Air Force Water Survival, Pensacola, FL - 1 week
* Special Operations Weather Apprentice Course, Pope AFB, NC - 12 weeks
Certification Training: Upon graduation from the Special Operations Weather Appr
entice Course at Pope, students are awarded their 3-skill level (apprentice). Al
l combat weather 3-levels are first assigned to the Special Tactics Training Squ
adron at Hurburt Field in Florida for 5-level (technician) upgrade training. Thi
s training is a combination of on-the-job task certification, and enrollment in
a correspondance course called a Career Development Course (CDC). Once the airma
n's trainer(s) have certified that they are qualified to perform all tasks relat
ed to that assignment, and once they complete the CDC, including the final close
d-book written test, they are upgraded to the 5-skill level, and are considered
to be "certified" to perform their job with minimal supervision. For this AFSC,
5-level training averages 16 months. Once they receive their 5 skill level, the
proceed to their first operational assignment.
Advanced Training: Upon achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, airmen are entered
into 7-level (craftsman) training. A craftsman can expect to fill various super
visory and management positions such as shift leader, element NCOIC (Noncommissi
oned Officer in Charge), flight superintendent, and various staff positions. For
award of the 9-skill level, individuals must hold the rank of Senior Master Ser
geant. A 9-level can expect to fill positions such as flight chief, superintende
nt, and various staff NCOIC jobs.
Assignment Locations: Multiple Air Force flying wings, and Army aviation and gro
und combat units.
Average Promotion Times (Time in Service)
Airman First Class (E-2): 6 months
Senior Airman (E-4): 16 months
Staff Sergeant (E-5): 6 years
Technical Sergeant (E-6): 13 years
Master Sergeant (E-7): 17 years
Senior Master Sergeant (E-8): 20 years
Chief Master Sergeant (E-9): 22 years
Required ASVAB Composite Score: G-66 and E-50
Security Clearance Requirement: Secret
Strength Requirement: H (50 pounds)
Other Requirements
* Courses in physics, chemistry, earth sciences, geography, computer science
s, and mathematics are desirable
* Normal color vision
* Visual acuity correctable to 20/20
* Ability to speak distinctly
* Must be a US citizen
* Attain or exceed the minimum standards on the Physical Abilities Stamina T
est IAW AFI 36-2626, Airman Retraining Program, Attachment 11
Branch Weight 1.5mi Run Push-ups Sit-Ups Swim 500Y Pull-Ups
Army 185 12:31 40 50 0 0
Air Force 191 12:13-12:54 33-36 40-41 0 0
Navy 191 13:15 42 50 12:15 0
Marines 192 14:00 0 50 00:00 3
SEAL 191 11:00 42 50 12:30 6
Army+ 185 10:25 66 77 00:00 0
Air Force+ 191 9:49-10:12 57-58 52 00:00 0
Navy+ 191 09:15 81 98 07:30 0
SEAL+ 191 11:00 62 70 11:00 8
Marines+ 192 09:49 0 90 00:00 18