Training with the Air Force has less to do with flying than most people
imagine. Although there are many flight careers with the Air Force, the majority
of Air Force members are not pilots.
There are two basic paths to enter the Air Force. You can become an
officer or an enlisted member. Think of officers as the management.
They lead units and are required to have degrees. Think enlisted members
as the workers who carry out orders from the officers.
In the U.S. the minimum age to enlist is 17 with parental consent or
18 without it.
"Any recruiter will recommend you stay in high school because it gives
you more options," says Captain Holly Brown. She is a military public affairs
officer.
Once you sign up as an enlisted member, you will go through basic training
as an introduction to the service. You may also get specific job training
depending on the career you decide on.
There are over 100 different careers in the Air Force.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an aptitude
test all recruits take in the U.S. "It helps to narrow down what you may or
may not be suited to do. But ultimately, the decision is up to you," says
Major Damien Pickart, a public relations officer with the U.S. Air Force.
To become an officer in the U.S. Air Force, there are three options. First,
you can apply to the Air Force Academy. The process of applying to the Air
Force Academy requires much more work than other types of schools. It is
extremely competitive. Sixty percent of graduates will go on to flight
careers.
Second, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is another way to enter the
Air Force. Over 1,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. offer this training.
Most graduates will not work in flight careers, but one of the many other
extremely varied careers offered by the Air Force.
And third, you can choose to enter the Air Force after you've completed
a bachelor's degree by applying to the service's Officer Training School.
Pickart describes it as "an accelerated boot camp for officer candidates."
Pickart has been down two roads. First he enlisted, and then he went to
ROTC and became on officer. He recommends you do some research online and
then go to a recruiter. Once you've done your homework and know what questions
you want to ask, you can get the most out of the meeting with the recruiter.
"Most jobs in the Air Force are technically oriented, like that of an F-16
aircraft maintainer or a communications specialist," says Pickart. He says
young people should be prepared for the fast operations tempo, as there are
a lot of deployments. "You are guaranteed to go all over the globe."
Captain Brown says to remember that no matter which career you choose,
you are a soldier, sailor, airman or airwoman first. "There may be times you
are put in harm's way," she warns. You must understand and be able to
live with the risks. She says to bring your family to the meeting with
a recruiter and be prepared with questions.
If you're interested in entering the Air Force, you should start preparing
early. Work hard in high school to get high grades. Participate in
a sports team to build teamwork and leadership skills while staying fit. Scouting
programs provide good background.
Air Cadets or Civil Air Patrol (CAP) are also good organizations, especially
if you are interested in a flying career.
At the U.S. Air Academy, former CAP cadets make up about 10 percent of
any freshman class.
A detailed list of suggested high school courses and activities, and advice
for leadership and physical preparation are available on the U.S. Air Force
Academy website.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Job
Opportunities in the Armed Forces
U.S. Air Force Academy
Study the application process carefully
Air Force Officer Accession & Training Schools
Learn more about the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training
Corps (AFJROTC)
U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
It offers great tips for college
Civil Air Patrol
A great place to get experience as a volunteer in aviation
Air Force Links
Browse through a full list of Air Force careers and learn about
educational requirements
U.S. Air Force Museum
Find out more about the air force's proud history