How to Join the United States Air Force

The United States Air Force was created as a separate force out of the Army Air Corps in 1947. It is considered by some to be the most attractive branch of the U.S. military and accepts only 30,000 candiates each year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Visit a recruiter. He will explain the process. If you decide the join, you'll undergo a prescreening. The recruiter will ask questions to make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements and then weigh you. You will be given a medical exam and an Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery test to identify your skills and interests. Use the U.S. Air Force recruiter locator at the U.S. Air Force website to find a recruiter near you (see Resources below).
2. Wait for the results of your prescreening. Your recruiter will send the information he receives from you to the Recruiting Squadron. Your medical exam will be sent to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for review by medical personnel.
3. Visit the MEPS to go through a qualification process, which usually takes 2 days to complete. If the MEPS branch is not close enough to your home, you will lodge at a contract hotel nearby.
4. Take the ASVAB test. This test is made up of nine subtests, which include Assembling Objects, Auto & Shop, Arithmetic Reasoning, Electronic Information, General Science, Mechanical Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Word Knowledge.
5. Take a medical examination, which tests every aspect of your physical and mental health. The medical examiners will approve or disqualify you for service based on the results of the exam.
6. Schedule a security clearance interview. Most Air Force jobs require a security clearance. The interviewer will ask you questions about your past and current lifestyle.
7. Enlist under the guaranteed job or guaranteed aptitude area option. Under the guaranteed job option, you can reserve a job and then receive a ship date when it becomes available. Under the guaranteed aptitude area, you will receive any job that is available in the administrative, electronics, mechanical or general areas.
8. Take the Oath of Enlistment. The oath enlists you into the Air Force through the Delayed Enlistment Program. You will have to sign a Delayed Enlistment contract which a counselor will discuss.
9. Wait for your ship date while in the Delayed Enlistment Program. Be prepared to wait for several months because the Air Force recruits in advance of the actual enlistment period.
10. Ship out to basic training. When you receive your ship date, you will process out of the Delayed Enlistment Program, and then go on to San Antonio, Texas for basic training.

Tips & Warnings

• Due to the popularity of the Air Force, it is difficult to join. The rate of re-enlistment is high, which leaves few slots vacant for new recruits.