The process of joining the Air Force is fairly simple, but there are some requirements and evaluations, such as an aptitude test and a physical, that you must pass before commissioning.
Basic Requirements for Joining as a Commissioned Officer
In order to enlist in the U.S. Air Force as a commissioned officer, you must:
- Be between 18 and 48 years of age (varies among fields).
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have a career-relevant degree or postgraduate degree (varies among fields).
- Be licensed and eligible to practice in your field.
Find your local recruiter to learn more about the basic requirements.
Commissioned officer applications are reviewed by Air Force Recruiting Service (AFRS). AFRS evaluates applications on objective factors such as GPA, education, experience and subjective factors such as work experience, accomplishments, character, leadership ability and potential for future growth. It’s important to remember that no one factor can cause selection or nonselection.
Physical & Mental Screening
Once you have gone through the initial phases of meeting your recruiter and discussing your options, your recruiter will make an appointment for you to go to a nearby Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). This appointment is to asses your physical and moral standards as set by the Air Force, the Department of Defense and federal law.
Preparing for Commissioned Officer Training
Once you’ve passed all the necessary requirements and tests and are accepted into the Air Force, you’ll go into the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), which means you’re waiting for your departure date for Commissioned Officer Training (COT). How long you wait depends on a number of factors, including specific job availability. It would be a good idea to begin working on your physical conditioning during this time as COT can be challenging if you’re not prepared.
Commissioned Officer Training
Commissioned Officer Training (COT) lasts five weeks and is designed to help ease the transition of candidates in the healthcare, legal and religious professions from the private sector into military life. You’ll begin with a training regimen designed to educate you in the ways of the military. This is an important time during which you’ll develop into an officer and a leader. You’ll participate in physical conditioning five days a week, training, financial seminars and classroom studies.
Find your local recruiter to learn more about joining the Air Force.