US Air Force

The United States Air Force is the military branch in charge of national aerospace capabilities including air, space, and information operations. While focusing on its core competency in air superiority, the US Air Force works in tandem with other branches of the military and with multinational partners to carry out the goals of the Joint Team representing national interests.

Given the wide range of support networks necessary to keep the Air Force operational, there is a great range of opportunities available in the US Air Force for people of all educational backgrounds and aspirations. Enlisted personnel—generally high school graduates with or without a college degree—form the largest part of the Air Force team. Regardless of their educational background, all enlisted personnel receive an equal opportunity to continue their education through on-duty military training and higher education. Recruits choosing to pursue a college education can apply for a commission as an officer upon completion of their degrees.

Officers form the leadership backbone of the Air Force and come from many different professional backgrounds including technical, administrative, and medical fields. Officers are required to obtain a four-year college degree, and candidates follow one of three available paths: ROTC training, the Air Force Academy, or Officer Training School.

In addition to a degree from an accredited college or university, candidates for the Officer Training Program must meet physical and academic requirements, be 18-33 years old, be citizens of the United States, and score above average on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT). The AFOQT measures aptitudes used to select candidates for officer commissioning programs, giving recruiters substantial information for making personnel decisions. The test lasts approximately five hours and consists of 16 separate sub-tests, each measuring a separate aptitude.

Enlisting in the Air Force requires a significant time commitment. An applicant who joins the Air Force normally will enlist for the minimum of four years at a time. Six-year enlistments are also available. One year before service is completed, applicants will be given the option to reenlist for another four or six years. An applicant does not incur a service obligation just by submitting an application, and the required length of service can vary depending on the training and position sought. If an applicant is selected and accepts a commission in the Air Force as a Non-flying Officer, he or she will have a four-year service obligation. Navigators will incur a six-year service commitment from the date of award of aeronautical rating (completion of Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training), and pilots incur a 10-year service commitment from the date of award of aeronautical rating (completion of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training).

For both enlisted personnel and officers, promotion involves a number of considerations including the time served in one's rank, time spent in service, job rating, and amount of professional training the applicant has acquired. It is possible for applicants with exceptional abilities or educational background to receive some credit for advance rank; a recruiter can answer specific questions regarding initial rank.

As a career, service in the Air Force offers excellent benefits including retirement after 20 years. The training and experience obtained while serving are also excellent preparation for jobs in the private sector, before or after retirement. In particular, the technical training available prepares Air Force personnel for many high-tech careers outside of the military.

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