KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Traditional Air Force reservists interested in working full time for the 403rd Wing have a “career coach” to help them navigate the Air Reserve Technician job seeking process.
“I’m the Air Reserve Technician employment subject matter expert,” said Master Sgt. David Gaffney, 403rd Wing ART recruiter.
ARTs are full-time Department of Defense civil service employees and are reservists who perform the same job in an Air Force Reserve Command unit. The wing has 380 of these jobs are currently available on USAJOBS.gov, the federal government’s official employment site. Anyone interested in an advertised vacancy may contact Gaffney for assistance with the application process.
One person who asked questions and got answers from Gaffney was Senior Airman Andrea Bradley, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron supply technician. She served six years on active-duty Air Force as a supply technician, then enlisted in the Mississippi Air National Guard to serve in operations for about a year and half.
“I was originally interested in an Air Guard Reserve position and then I found this position,” Bradley said, after seeing the supply technician employment opportunity on USAJOBS.gov. “I joined the 403rd Wing in order to have access to the ART position because I wanted to be back in a full-time supply technician position.”
Gaffney assisted her through the application process, which took about five months, said Bradley.
Bradley appreciated Gaffney’s approach to helping her to complete an application. “He was really patient in explaining everything to me,” she said.
Qualified candidates may come from other military organizations or other military branches. Gaffney has experience transitioning from the U.S. Marine Corps to enlist in the Air Force Reserve.
“In order for a 403rd Wing ART candidate to qualify, they must meet the qualifications to first join the unit as a traditional reservist,” Gaffney explained.
Gaffney’s dual role is to serve as a line recruiter, which helps when Reserve Citizen Airmen want to apply for ART positions. He helps them to join the wing as a traditional reservist in order to apply for a full time position.
Bradley began her full-time career in July with the 403rd LRS in the decentralized material support section as a supply technician.
“Serving as an ART is a little different, but it feels good because it kind of feels like I’m back on active duty,” she said.
Gaffney says he enjoys helping people such as Bradly and his role as a recruiter.
“It’s been almost three years. I love recruiting. It’s a challenging job, but it is fun,” he said.