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Hello, this is'Jim', what can I do for you?

Aaron Rodriguez: Hi, I just had a few questions regarding the air force, can you help
me answer some questions?
Sure, fire away
Aaron Rodriguez: I'm a college graduate, and I was thinking about joining the air
force, I wanted to know if I would be able to sign-up as an officer? or, if not, how
does the process work?
Here are the steps for qualifying and applying for Air Fore Officer Training
School (OTS).
Jim: 1. OTS Qualifications
Jim: Be a graduate of a regionally accredited college or college senior
Jim: Be a U.S. Citizen at least 18 years of age and commissioned prior to age 35
Jim: Be in good physical health (Must pass a commissioning physical)
Jim: Be of good moral character (Law, drugs, credit, dependency)
Jim: A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required for Technical & Non-Technical (Non-Rated)
Careers
Jim: A minimum of a 2.5 GPA for Flight (Rated) Careers
Jim: 2. OTS Application
Jim: Take the AFOQT - AF Officer Qualifying Test http://www.baseops.net/afoqt/
Jim: Take & pass the commissioning physical (MEPS Station)
Jim: Complete an interview with an Air Force Officer
Jim: Submit application by due date our next Selection Board for Rated (Pilot,
Combat Systems Officer , Air Battle Manager) is 19 Dec 2013.
Jim: Technical & Non-Technical Board 19 Dec 2013.
Jim: 3. Selection Process
Jim: A board of senior Air Force officers at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting
Service will review your application. Selection is competitive (around a 20%
selection rate) and based on your desires, qualifications (such as aeronautical
ratings, type bachelors or masters degree, or civilian or military specialty skills), and
specific Air Force manpower needs. Each applicant is evaluated for character,
academic accomplishments, community service, and leadership potential. As part of
the selection process, board members review both objective and subjective factors.
Objectively, the board considers each applicants academic discipline, and AFOQT
scores. Subjectively, board members evaluated work experience, accomplishments,
adaptability, character, leadership ability, potential for future growth, and other
recommendations. For active duty enlisted members, performance reports and
commanders recommendations are also evaluated. A minimum of three AF Colonels
reviews every application. The selection process is similar to an AF Officer
Promotion board. Key to the entire process is that no single factor leads to an
ind v duals select on.
Jim: 4. OTS
Jim: OTS is 9 1/2 weeks in duration at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery,
Alabama.
Jim: OTS Incoming student page: http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/

Jim: Please contact your local Air Force recruiter for qualifications and program
updates. Here is the locator to help find a recruiter near you
http://www.airforce.com/contact-us/recruiter-locator/
Jim:
Aaron Rodriguez: hmm. This might be a demanding question but, what kind of
career paths are there for both "Technical and Non-Technical" and " Flight" careers?
Aaron Rodriguez: For example, is there list of jobs and descriptions that explain the
jobs available?
Technical (Non-Rated) Careers: Acquisitions, Developmental Engineer, Civil
Engineer, Scientist, Weather
Jim: Flight (Rated) Careers: Pilot, Air Battle Manager (ABM), Combat Systems Officer
(CSO)
Jim: Non-Technical (Non-Rated) Careers: Air Liaison, Aircraft Maintenance, Combat
Rescue, Command & Control, Cost Analysis, Cyberspace Operations, Financial
Management, Intelligence, Logistics, Logistics Readiness, Munitions & Missile
Maintenance, Personnel & Manpower, Planning & Programming, Public Affairs,
Readiness, Security Forces, Services, Space & Missile Operations.
Jim: You can find all of our job descriptions using this link:
Jim: http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/officer/careers/
Jim:
.
Aaron Rodriguez: How does living work? Do you live on and or off base after OTS?
As an officer you would live off base if single and if married you can chose to
live in base housing or off base
Aaron Rodriguez: is the service length a mandatory 4 years? or is there anything
less?
4 years for all officers
Aaron Rodriguez: What's the difference between "Non-Rated" and "Rated"?
Rated are flying positions
Aaron Rodriguez: What does Rated mean?
Rated means your in a flying position such as Pilots. Non-rated means your not
in flying positions
Aaron Rodriguez: so, even though I have a BA I'm not necessarily guaranteed to be
an officer, am I correct to say that?
You have to apply and be selected with the process above and the selection rate
is under 20%. If selected for Officer Training School you would become an officer
Aaron Rodriguez: So... really, I can't be assured to be an officer, right? And if that's
the case, what would may rank be and how does that affect my pay?
You can apply through the process above. If your not selected you can look at
enlisting and with a BA you would come in as an E-3
Aaron Rodriguez: as an e-3 what is your mandatory length of service?
4 years
Aaron Rodriguez: so, if one were to apply for OTS and doesnt get it, and is instead
selected to be an E3 are you already signed up? In other words, can you apply and
wait to see if you'd be a Officer before you sign-up?

Yes, you apply for OTS and it is a selection process. If not selected your not in
the AF. To join enlisted as an E-3 here is the process
Jim: Here is a brief summary of the process of joining the U.S. Air Force:
Jim: 1.) Interview with an Air Force Recruiter to determine your moral, and initial
eligibility to join.
Jim: 2.) ASVAB exam: The test that one takes to enlist in the Air Force is called the
ASVAB. It covers 8 general subjects. It will test not only your current knowledge,
but also your propensity to learn in different subject arenas.
Jim: 3.) Physical and medical exam: Your recruiter will schedule you to take your
physical at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). The recruiter will brief
you on proper attire to wear for your trip to the MEPS. You will be at the MEPS the
entire day. You will take a complete physical exam to include, hearing, eye, and
range of motion tests. You will be given blood tests and a urinalysis test as
well. Some times additional medical consultations are required to ensure your
eligibility so your physical may take more than one day.
Jim: 4.) Enter the Delayed Entry program and await your Basic Training Start Date.
Jim: Contact your nearest Air Force Recruiter for more info:
Jim: http://www.airforce.com/contact-us/recruiter-locator/
Aaron Rodriguez: Thanks, Jim.