Officer Training School is separate from the application process. If you wish to apply to OTS, you MUST go through Air Force Recruiting using the links at the bottom of this page. Please DO NOT call OTS asking how to apply or for updates on your status because OTS doesn't have anything to do with the application process.
The information on this page is solely for applying to Basic Officer Training, not Commissioned Officer Training (COT) or the Academy of Military Science (AMS). Please contact your Local recruiter for information on these two programs.
Selection Criteria
A board of senior Air Force officers at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service will review your application. Selection is competitive 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.
OTS is not easy to get into. If you truly want to become an Air Force Officer, it will call for hard work and determination.
Eligibility Requirements
"To apply for OTS, you are required to be either a graduate of a regionally or nationally accredited college or university or a college senior who is available to depart for training within 365 days.
You are required to be a US citizen at least 18 years of age at the time of commissioning and not have reached age 34 by the initial selection board convening date. Navigator and pilot applicants must be commissioned and enter flying training before age 30. All other applicants should be commissioned before age 35.
You are required to be in good physical condition and health (you will be given a physical before attending OTS, and while at OTS subjected to rigorous physical fitness assessment), complete the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), be of good moral character, and meet other requirements, which will be explained by your recruiter or military personnel flight (MPF) personnel. Flying applicants must complete a flying class 1 or 1a physical examination at an Air Force aircrew examining center. Other applicants may use the medical facilities at a military entrance processing station (MEPS). You will also be weighed during your inprocessing physical. To enter OTS, you may not exceed the maximum weight standards specified in AFI 36-2905 (see attached charts). If you are overweight on arrival, you can be denied entry to OTS. Likewise, if you fail to maintain your weight standards at any time during training, you will be eliminated from the program and denied opportunity for a commission.
A personal interview with an officer assigned to the Air Force Recruiting Service is also required. The interviewing officer reviews the special qualifications required of an officer and evaluates potential in terms of motivation, goals, leadership ability, communication skills, adaptability, and other qualities. The unit commander completes the interview for active duty airmen.
The following items must be submitted with your application:
(1) Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. The degree awarded and date of graduation must be shown on the transcript. If you are a senior within 270 days of graduation, you will be required to provide a certificate authenticated by the school, showing expected date of graduation, type of degree to be awarded, grade point average, and major subject. Your recruiter can assist you in this matter.
(2) Documents verifying your date of birth and US citizenship.
(3) AFOQT scores.
(4) Physical examination results.
(5) All requested forms filled out completely.
You will be held responsible for the accuracy of all entries on your enlistment forms. Disqualifying information discovered after enlistment can result in discharge under less than honorable conditions." (AETCPAM 36-2003)
Points of Contact
The proper point of contact depends on what stage of the application and reporting process you are in. Below is a list of contacts, phone numbers, and when possible links.
If you are considering applying for OTS and are not active duty you should contact your local Air Force OTS recruiter. If you are considering OTS and are currently on active duty, contact the education office or Military Personnel Flight (MPF) on your base. You can get information about OTS and the application process via the Air Force Recruiting Home page.
Your recruiter (if you are non-prior) or your MPF (active duty) are your primary points of contact, until you are actually en route to OTS. Once en route to OTS, you may contact the OTS Operational Control Center at 334-953-9675 from 0530 - 2200 or after hours at 334-953-9390. If you have any problems that will cause you to arrive late or change your status once you arrive, contact OTS at once.
For Non-Prior Military Service applicants, here is a general schedule you can use to help track your application progress which was developed by group of former Non-Prior trainees. By no means is this a hard schedule but rather an example of what your process and progress should look like.