The Enlisted Path

Get airman ready

When you enlist in the Air Force with a high school diploma or GED in hand, you’ll not only get hands-on training to learn a job integral to the Air Force, you’ll also earn college credits toward an associate degree.

Becoming an enlisted airman

Basic requirements

Enlisted

Before you begin the process of enlisting, be sure you’ve taken the time to see if you meet all our criteria for joining. The very first step is ensuring you meet our basic requirements.

Be between 17 and 39 years of age.
Be a U.S. citizen or legal, permanent resident
Have a high school diploma, GED with at least 15 college credits, or GED

Pay & Benefits

Earn a paycheck from day one

Your commitment to serve comes with excellent pay and first-rate benefits that begin as soon as you report for BMT.

Learn MoreRequirements

Meet our standards

The actual process of joining the Air Force is fairly simple, and you’ll be guided by your recruiter every step of the way. Before you can be accepted, there are mandatory requirements and evaluations that you must pass to ensure you have what it takes to succeed as an Airman in the U.S. Air Force.

Requirement
01
Aptitude Testing
Before enlisting, you must take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, which covers four areas critical to the Air Force mission: arithmetic reasoning, work knowledge, paragraph comprehension and mathematics knowledge. This test helps determine whether you have the mental aptitude to withstand the demands of the Air Force and identifies your strengths to determine the careers best suited for your future success.
Requirement
02
Physical and Mental Screening
Once you have taken the ASVAB, your recruiter will make an appointment for you at a nearby Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to assess your physical and moral standards as set by the Air Force, the Department of Defense and federal law. When processing through MEPS, you’ll provide your jobs counselor with a list of every job and aptitude area you are qualified for and willing to train for as your Air Force career. Depending on our current needs, you will either receive one of the jobs you expressed interest in or one that best serves your strengths and our mission.
Requirement
03
Preparing for BMT
Once you’ve passed all the necessary requirements and tests and have been officially accepted into the Air Force, you’ll go into the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), which means you’re waiting for your departure date for Basic Military Training (BMT). During this time, it’s a good idea to work on your physical conditioning to prepare for the challenges of BMT.

Delayed Entry
Program App The USAF Delayed Entry Program App allows for self-improvement and preparation prior to entering the rigorous environment of Basic Military Training (BMT). Features