How to Enlist as an Air Force Officer
There are several routes to becoming an Air Force officer. However, each involves numerous physical and mental requirements. Furthermore, most Air Force officers earn bachelor's degrees before becoming eligible for officer status.
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Instructions
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If you are still in high school, you may want to consider enrolling at the U.S. Air Force Academy. This is a four-year program that endows students with a Bachelor of Science degree. The curriculum at the Academy balances academic courses with rigorous physical education. Students also have to be unmarried, in excellent physical and mental shape and pass a medical exam.
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If you enlist in the Air Force, you have the option to attend Officer Training School (OTS) if you fulfill the following requirements. You must be a college graduate, except if you are an enlisted soldier on active duty. You must be at least 18 years old. You must have also passed a medical and physical exam and the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT).
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Become an officer through direct commission. That means if you have a qualified civilian occupation, such as a doctor or an engineer, you can be directly commissioned by the U.S. Air Force to serve as an officer. Naturally, direct commission is completely voluntary on your part.
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OTS is also available as Reserve Officer Training College (ROTC) at many colleges and universities. ROTC programs permit students to study an academic major while pursuing officer studies, including a Basic Military Training program. Upon graduation, an ROTC student holds the rank of Second Lieutenant.
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Enlist as a private soldier and prove yourself worthy of a promotion to officer. This may well take a period of several years of active duty.
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Tips & Warnings
If you apply for an ROTC program, take advantage of the many scholarships available--some of which pay for your full tuition. Before you proceed with your decision, make sure to speak with an Air Force recruiter about your best path to becoming an officer.
