THE OFFICER PATH
TURN YOUR COLLEGE DEGREE INTO AN OFFICER CAREER
BECOMING AN OFFICER
FIND YOUR OFFICER PATH
There are four ways to join the Air Force as an officer. While each way differs slightly, they all ultimately allow you to begin your career as a leader.
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01
Attend Officer Training School after earning college or postgraduate degree.
Upon earning a college or postgraduate degree, you can take the steps to enter the Air Force as an officer.
See Steps below for more information. -
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Attend the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Intensive and competitive, the prestigious United States Air Force Academy offers a world-class education with fully paid tuition, cost-free room and board, cost-free medical care and a monthly cash stipend in exchange for your commitment to serve.
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Join AFROTC in college.
Available at colleges and universities all over the country, Air Force ROTC offers tuition assistance while you earn your degree and experience college life.
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Enlist and work toward becoming an officer.
The Air Force has unprecedented growth opportunities, and any enlisted Airman can take the steps necessary to work toward officer status.
OFFICER
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
To begin your career as an officer, you’ll either need to be a graduate of the Air Force Academy or AFROTC or go through additional training. Before you apply, take the time to make sure you meet all of the basic qualifications for the path that’s right for you.
OFFICER
For those joining with a college degree or enlisted Airmen who have worked toward becoming an officer, you must:
- Be between 18 and 39 years of age.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have at least a bachelor’s degree.
SPECIALTY CAREERS
For healthcare, legal and ministry professionals only, you must:
- Be between 18 and 48 years of age.*
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have a career-relevant degree or postgraduate degree.*
- Be licensed and eligible to practice in your field.
- *varies among fields
PROCESS
MEET OUR STANDARDS
Air Force Officers are evaluated on their leadership potential, moral standards and academic strengths. Each candidate must go through a selective process to ensure they meet our requirements and have what it takes to become an officer.
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01
QUALIFYING TEST*
Anyone striving to be an Air Force Officer must pass the Air Force Qualifying Test—a multiple choice test with topics ranging from verbal and math skills to questions covering specific fields of interest. This test can only be taken twice, so it’s essential to study and prepare wisely.
*Does not apply to healthcare, legal and ministry professionals
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PHYSICAL AND MENTAL SCREENING
Your recruiter will make an appointment for you at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to have your physical and moral standards assessed to ensure they are in line with the specifications set by the Air Force, Department of Defense and federal law.
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PASSING THE SELECTION BOARD
Every officer application is reviewed by either the Officer Training School Selection Board or Air Force Recruiting Services, depending on your path and profession. Each committee evaluates both objective and subjective factors to determine if a candidate is a proper fit. No one factor can cause selection or rejection.
Selection boards are typically held biannually in February and August. However, the 2021 selection boards for Air Force and Space Force, including all programs, are completed for the remainder of the fiscal year. Contact your local Line Officer recruiter to learn more about the upcoming selection board schedule.Scheduled boards are open to all Air Force Active Duty Enlisted, Air Force National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Civilians.
WINTER BOARD SCHEDULE:
- Board application deadline: No later than midnight October 4, 2021
- Selection board review dates: November 14-19, 2021
- Estimated selection board decision date: December 20, 2021
- Estimated Total Force Officer Training start date: April 2022 - January 2023
- Civil Path to Wings board application deadline: No later than midnight on October 4, 2021
- Selection board review dates: October 25–29, 2021
- Estimated selection board decision date: November 12, 2021
- Estimated Total Force Officer Training start date: January - April 2022
SUMMER BOARD SCHEDULE:
- Board application deadline: No later than midnight March 21, 2022
- Selection board review dates: May 16–20, 2022
- Estimated selection board decision date: June 24, 2022
- Estimated Total Force Officer Training start date: January - June 2023
- Civil Path to Wings board application deadline: No later than midnight on January 28, 2022
- Selection board review dates: February 7–11, 2022
- Estimated selection board decision date: February 28, 2022
- Estimated Total Force Officer Training start date: April - June 2022
CRITICAL ACCESSIONS DEGREES (CAD)
Applications for Critical Accessions Degrees (CAD) are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Please check with your local Line Officer recruiter to discuss which degrees are considered CAD.
Please note that all dates are based on U.S. Air Force total force needs and are subject to change.
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PREPARING FOR OFFICER TRAINING
Once you’ve passed all the necessary requirements and are accepted into the Air Force, you’ll enter the Delayed Entry Program while you wait for your departure date to either Officer Training School or—for medical, legal and ministry professionals—Commissioned Officer Training.
