How to Serve in the Air Force

The United States Air Force focuses on air combat and assistance to help the military in its missions of war and peace. The branch requires intelligence, commitment, and mental and physical strength in a variety of fields such as flight, medicine, finance, management, air traffic control and civil engineering. Follow the steps to learn how to serve in the Air Force to serve your country and yourself.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Enlist in the Air Force straight out of high school--you don't need to have any college training. Sign up and learn on-the-job training in a field that transfers to civilian life once your commitment is finished.

2. Commission into the Air Force as an officer. Go through Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) at your college, go through Officers' Training Corps, or graduate from the Air Force Academy. Work towards a military career in flight, technology, management or other specialties.

3. Join the Air Force Reserves to commit one weekend a month, two weeks a year and other volunteered time toward serving your country. Gain tuition assistance, full benefits during active duty and the freedom to continue your civilian career when not training.

4. Become a pilot or navigator as a commissioned officer in the Air Force. Learn air support and combat skills through pilot or navigator training and use the skills for a later career in civilian aviation.

5. Consider careers in health care through the Air Force. Get tuition assistance to become a physician, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, medical assistant or biomedical scientist.

6. Train for and participate in deployments to serve your country. Assist with war and peace missions across the country and the world using training in combat, communication and special skills.

Resources

• Enlist to receive training in many career fields
• Commission as an officer for greater responsibility and benefits
• Train for a part-time career with the Air Force Reserves
• See the Air Force in action in these promotion commercials