Become a Flight Attendant on Air Force One
Flight attendants on Air Force One are all members of the 89th Airlift Wing based at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. There are more than 200 special air mission flight attendants that support Air Force One. These flight attendants also support other aircraft that fly U.S. government and military leaders as well as officials from other countries. As a flight attendant of the 89th Airlift Wing, you can expect to fly about 4 times a month, with missions lasting from a single day to a week. Here is what it takes to become a mission flight attendant on Air Force One.
Contents
Steps
Completing the Application Process
- Be an upstanding citizen and member of the U.S. Air Force. This is required to get the necessary security clearance.
- Wait until you are at least 21 to apply to become a special air mission flight attendant.
- Gather the necessary letters of recommendations.
- Complete the records review and flight physical.
- Obtain the necessary security clearance. This requires completing Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions. The form authorizes Federal employees to do a comprehensive investigation into your background. They will interview you, family, friends, schools, employers, criminal justice agencies, credit bureaus, collection agencies, consumer reporting agencies and others. If you aren't deemed to have good character and conduct as well as be reliable and trustworthy, you won't be eligible for a national security position.
- Apply to become a special air mission flight attendant.
- Make a good impression during interviews with a board of 89th Airlift Wing members. They are looking for someone who is articulate, service-oriented and able to present themselves well on behalf of the United States.
Completing the Job Training
- Attend the Enlisted Aviator Undergraduate Course at the Career Enlisted Aircrew Center of Excellence at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
- Complete combat survival school and water survival school immediately following completion of the Enlisted Aviator Undergraduate Course.
- Sign up for the Advanced Culinary Class at the Basic Flight Attendant Course (formerly Flight Attendants Culinary EGRESS Training School). Taught in San Antonio, Texas, this course focuses on meal presentation and is designed to take meals served on Air Force One to the next level of excellence and make it a memorable experience. The class teaches the following:
- Flight attendants learn the proper way to set a table (Air Force One meals are served on fine china).
- Students learn how to work as a team and improve organization, timeliness, cleanliness and creativity when serving meals. Even if they have to put together a meal on short notice, the flight attendant is responsible for contacting the distinguished visitor's representative to find out meal preferences, and then purchase the necessary items before the flight.
- Flight attendants learn how to make edible centerpieces and make intricate carvings out of fruit or vegetables.
