If you want to become an officer in the Air Force, it’s important to understand what a military officer does and why it’s a good fit for you.

Military officers are leaders who command troops during wartime and are responsible for their safety, welfare and success on the battlefield. They also serve as leaders in training and operations. A military officer is responsible for ensuring that his or her troops serve effectively as well as protecting them from harm.

You’ll need to meet several requirements before applying to become an officer in the Air Force:

Education: You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least 90 semester hours of credit. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you may still qualify if you have military experience (or another type of experience) that demonstrates your ability to lead others effectively.

Character: You must be at least 20 years old but under age 40 when you apply. You must be a U.S. citizen and possess no criminal record (unless pardoned by the president). You’ll need good moral character as well – meaning that your conduct has always been above reproach; you’ve never committed any dishonorable acts;

How To Become An Officer In The Air Force

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.

1. 01Attend 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.
2. 02Attend 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.FIND OUT MORE
3. 03Join 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.FIND OUT MORE
4. 04Enlist 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.FIND OUT MORE

PAY & BENEFITS

WE TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS OF EVERY AIRMAN

SEE PAY & BENEFITS

When you join the Air Force with a college degree, you can enter as an officer and a leader. We’ll provide you with training to develop the skills and character you need to become a world-class officer prepared to lead your fellow Airmen.

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.

• 01QUALIFYING 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
• 02PHYSICAL AND MENTAL SCREENINGYour 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.
• 03PASSING THE SELECTION BOARDEvery 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.
  
  
   BOARD SCHEDULES
• 04PREPARING FOR OFFICER TRAININGOnce 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.