10 Least Common Air Force Jobs
If you’re exploring a future in the Air Force, one of the biggest questions you probably have is:
What jobs are the least common and hard to get?
Most people know about the big Air Force career fields like Security Forces or Aircraft Maintenance, but what about the jobs almost nobody gets? These lesser-known roles are vital to the mission, but because so few positions exist, they’re some of the hardest jobs to land.
Knowing which jobs are least common can give you a realistic idea of where you might or might not end up. But beyond just the numbers, it’s also important to understand your actual chances of being selected for a specific career.
That’s why we created the Airman Vision Job Odds Calculator — a free tool that helps you see your odds of landing certain jobs based on the preferences you submit to your recruiter.
In this post, we’ll count down the 10 least common Air Force jobs, starting with #10 and ending with #1. Each of these careers only have a few hundred Airmen serving in them, making them extremely rare and hard to get, maybe even impossible due to not having any openings for extended periods of time.
10. Special Operations Forces/Personnel Recovery (SOF/PR) Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems (2A2X3)
These specialists maintain and repair electronic warfare systems on aircraft designed for special operations and personnel recovery missions. Their work ensures these aircraft can operate effectively in hostile environments.
9. Safety (1S0X1)
Air Force Safety specialists help prevent accidents by identifying risks, enforcing safety standards, and educating Airmen on best practices. Their job is to protect lives, equipment, and mission readiness.
8. Physical Medicine (4J0X2)
These Airmen assist physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists. They help injured or recovering Airmen regain strength and mobility so they can return to duty.
7. Aerospace Physiology (1H0X1)
Aerospace Physiology Airmen train aircrew members to handle the physical stresses of flight, such as high altitude and oxygen deprivation. They run specialized equipment like altitude chambers to prepare pilots and crew for extreme conditions.
6. Religious Affairs (5R0X1)
Supporting chaplains, Religious Affairs Airmen provide counseling, coordinate religious services, and ensure that Airmen of all faiths can practice freely. They play a key role in supporting morale and mental health.
5. Ophthalmic (Ophthalmic Technician) (4V0X1)
These Airmen work alongside eye doctors to perform vision tests, assist in eye exams, and help diagnose and treat vision problems for service members and their families.
4. Pest Management (3E4X3)
From controlling insects and rodents on base to preventing the spread of disease in deployed environments, Pest Management Airmen ensure facilities remain safe, sanitary, and mission-ready.
3. Executive Mission Aviator (1A1X8)
These Airmen serve as flight crew members on aircraft supporting senior leaders and special missions. Their responsibilities vary by mission, but they often include in-flight operations, communication, and passenger support.
2. Diet Therapy (4D0X1)
Diet Therapy Airmen create meal plans and provide nutritional support for patients in medical treatment facilities. They play an important role in recovery, long-term health, and mission readiness.
1. Histopathology (4T0X2)
The rarest job in the Air Force, Histopathology specialists assist pathologists by preparing and examining tissue samples to diagnose disease. Their work directly supports medical teams and patient care, but because so few positions exist, this career field is one of the hardest to get.
Final Thoughts
These are the 10 least common jobs in the Air Force. While rare, each one plays an important role in keeping Airmen healthy, safe, and mission-ready. Because so few positions exist, getting one of these careers is extremely competitive.
If you’re preparing to join, make sure you check out the Airman Vision Job Odds Calculator. It’s designed to help you better understand your chances of landing the jobs you want, so you can make smarter choices before submitting your list to a recruiter.
At Airman Vision, we’ve created a streamlined solution for modern-day Air Force recruiting—bridging the gap between future recruits and the Air Force. Our resources will help you prepare for Basic Training, Technical Training, and your Air Force career.
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