The U.S. Air Force has been responsible for air warfare, air defense and military space research since it used balloons for reconnaissance during the Civil War.

Then in 1920, the Army Reorganization Act created the Air Service which became the Army Air Corps in 1926, and 21 years later the U.S. Air Force.

By 2000, there were over 350,000 active duty Air Force personnel.

Today the Air Force offers a variety of unique jobs that allow one to maneuver robots, predict the weather, take care of injured or sick patients in flight, fly a bomber or fighter jet and advise military commanders on weapons use.

Below is a list of some of the more unique careers and a short description of each job:

Officers

Aerospace Medicine

This job encompasses flight medicine, preventive medicine and occupational medicine.  These physicians perform medical examinations and provide medical care for air and missile crews.  They determine fitness for flying and evaluate environments to detect health hazards.  They manage disorders and injuries that are unique to flight.

Critical Care Nurse

These nurses manage complex patients and assist with the transport of critically injured soldiers.  As part of a CCAT unit, these nurses are charged with keeping critically ill patients stable until they reach a medical facility.

Aerospace Physiologist

This career trains biomedical science corps officers in aero-medical aspects of flight, sensory physiology, aviation life-support systems and aircraft mishap investigation.

Bioenvironmental Engineers

These officers ensure that the Air Force has a safe workplace, and they advise commanders on weapons systems, chemical, biological, and radiological issues.

Biomedical Laboratory Officers

Biomedical lab officers provide lab data to healthcare providers, manage clinical lab services and they analyze biologic materials, and interpret it for healthcare providers. They are also on the cutting edge of new technology development, evaluation of emerging technologies and implementation of new procedures and processes in clinical and research laboratories.

Scientist

As an Air Force scientist or chemist you will develop new concepts, methods and techniques to solve scientific problems. Air Force chemists will work as a fuels, propulsion or materials chemist, biotechnology test and evaluation chemist, or chemical/bio agent sensor scientists.

Enlisted opportunities

Aerial Gunner Apprentice

As an aerial gunner, you will learn to operate airborne weapon systems and associated equipment, brief passengers, perform preflight and post-flight inspections of weapons equipment and perform in-flight maintenance of airborne weapons systems and associated equipment.

Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice

In this job, you may be assigned to Air Combat, U.S. Air Force Europe, Pacific Air Command, the Air Force Materiel Command, or the Air Force Special Operations Command as part of an operations squadron as an aircraft weapons load crew member inspecting and loading air munitions; or a maintenance squadron in which you will be testing equipment and gauges to make sure they work, and repairing broken wiring, bomb racks, missile launchers and dispensers.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Apprentice

EOD technicians learn how to safely handle and dispose of live explosives, including criminal and terrorist homemade items and chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. 

To assist in their job, they learn to maneuver robots.

Nuclear Weapons Apprentice

As a nuclear weapons apprentice, you will work with nuclear warheads, bombs, missiles, vehicle and associated equipment. 

Still Photography Apprentice

Learn to take still and portrait photos, the principles of optics, camera lenses and how to use electronic flashes.  You will learn how to take architectural, investigative, action, awards and ceremonial and documentary photography. 
Weather Apprentice

These apprentices analyze weather conditions, prepare forecasts and issue weather warnings for pilots.  They also analyze and forecast elements of the weather including clouds, visibility, winds and atmospheric pressure.  You will also learn how to read and interpret weather satellite imagery, climatology reports, computerized weather prediction models and Doppler weather radar imagery.

For more information or to check out these and other interesting Air Force careers, visit the Web site at www.airforce.com.