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Air Force ROTC The Mighty Blue Dragons

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About the Program: The Big Picture

Commissioning Sources

There are three commissioning sources or paths one can follow to become an officer in the Air & Space Force of the Department of the Air Force: the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), and Officer Training School (OTS). These three sources are very distinct from each other, however the end result — commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Air and Space Forces of the Department of the Air Force — is the same.

USAFA is the Air Force's military university where cadets complete full-time college studies while receiving built-in Air Force officer training.

AFROTC is similar in that you attend college full-time while receiving Air Force officer training, however the training environment is very different from the Academy. AFROTC is offered at 145 different universities across the nation, and offers more flexible and varied programs compared to USAFA.

OTS is a 9.5 week post-baccalaureate (i.e. applicants must have a bachelor's degree) military training program.

What Are the Benefits of an Air Force Officer Career?

Aside from the leadership and service opportunities, the practical benefits of a career as an Air Force officer include great pay, full healthcare benefits, and competitive retirement and investment options.

Military pay is based on rank, time in service, and locale. A paycheck that an active duty member receives is a combination of basic pay and the basic allowance for housing (BAH), which is a non-taxable portion of their overall salary.

Air & Space Force Careers

What are the Differences between Officer and Enlisted?

Enlisted

The enlisted force is the backbone of the armed forces. The enlisted airmen and space professionals are the core of the Air & Space Force's technical competencies. To enlist, the member goes to a recruiter to learn about eligibility and different job options. After completing an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) physical exam, the member can enlist and then attend Basic Military Training (BMT) to learn basic military discipline and decorum. BMT is followed by technical training in the member's specific career field, such as security forces, aircraft maintenance, intelligence, cyber security, personnel, records management, finance, etc.

A college degree is not required in order to enlist (high school diploma or equivalent is required), although many enlisted air and space professionals have bachelor's degrees or higher. Enlisted members progress through different ranks as well as numbered technical levels (3, 5, 7, 9). Senior enlisted members take on more responsibility as well as leadership roles. In addition to commanding younger enlisted members, senior enlisted air and space professionals have a duty to develop and mentor the (often) younger officers who command them.

Air Force ROTC is for officer candidates, so if you want to enlist, please visit: Find a Recruiter Near You

Officers

The minimum educational requirement to be a commissioned officer in the armed forces is a bachelor's degree. The rank and pay of an officer is higher than that of enlisted personnel, but they are also entrusted with more responsibilities. Officers receive special training in leadership and management and must be of the highest moral and professional caliber. They supervise and command enlisted forces, and often manage budgets, equipment, and strategy with the technical guidance of enlisted personnel and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians. Officers are also the only personnel eligible for jobs in the Air & Space Forces which require a bachelor's degree or higher (i.e. pilot, engineer, lawyer, doctor, nurse, etc.).

Resources for Veterans & Military Students

There are many resources available for veterans and military members returning to school. Some of them are listed here.