Applying to join the U.S. Air Force is an exciting pursuit. Whether you plan to be an enlisted Airman or an Air Force officer, several factors will shape your journey, including your educational and professional experience, and your personal goals. We'll guide you through every step of the application process to help you become the Airman you want to be.
Step 01: Select Your Preferred Service Component
Based on your qualifications and goals, choose which component you want to join. Complete our online application on our website. If you meet our requirements, you’ll be put in touch with your local recruitment office for guidance and further steps.
Ready to Join?
We’re now offering enlistment bonuses all the way up to $40,000 across a wide range of careers. Air Force Active Duty is filled with opportunities for those who want to join the world’s greatest air force and become an Airman of integrity and respect.
Explore over 200 career fields, ranging from flight and aviation to science and technology. From the moment you put on a uniform, you’ll not only be paid but you’ll also receive low-cost health insurance, tuition assistance, food and housing allowances, 30 days of paid vacation a year, and a generous retirement plan.
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard is a unique military branch where you can serve part time or full time in the state and role of your choice. Explore over 200 career fields and pick the one that best suits your interests and skills. The day you join the Air National Guard is the day you start receiving benefits like tuition assistance, low-cost health insurance and a retirement plan. Plus you’ll receive state-specific benefits depending on the state you serve in.
Air Force Reserve
In the Air Force Reserve, you take control of how you live your civilian life. Whether that means pursuing a degree or advancing in a different career, the choice is yours. Explore over 200 career fields ranging from flight and aviation to science and technology. Similar to Active Duty, the Air Force Reserve provides a wide range of benefits including low-cost health insurance, student loan repayment, a retirement plan and more.
FAQs
The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win - airpower anytime, anywhere. Whether full time, part time, in or out of uniform, everyone who serves plays a critical role in helping us achieve mission success. We train for most every imaginable contingency, from terror attacks to global war to catastrophe relief.
The Air Force is like a big family that works hard and plays hard together. And while we’re a close-knit community, Airmen get to enjoy meaningful work in their service and embrace a global lifestyle. We offer Airmen good pay and a full package of benefits that offer an excellent quality of life. This includes great, low-cost insurance, living allowances and on-base housing for families, shopping, schools, parks, gyms, and more.
Which path you decide heavily depends on your personal and professional goals. One key thing to consider is whether or not you intend to earn a college degree before joining. If you have a high school diploma or GED and join the Air Force as an enlisted Airman, you’ll immediately earn college credits while pursuing your Air Force career. Plus you can work toward a college degree and strive to become an officer if you wish.
You may opt to earn a college degree first, then join as an Air Force Officer. If you are already attending or wish to attend college, the Air Force may be able to help you do so with available tuition assistance for two- to four-year programs across the U.S.
You may even decide to join the Air Force after having gained specialized, professional skills. We seek healthcare, law and ministry professionals who feel called to serve as Officers in the Air Force. This option is attractive to those who want to take their practice—and life path—in a whole new direction.
There are three different ways to serve in the Air Force. Active Duty Airmen serve full time and have the opportunity to live around the United States and overseas. Airmen in the Air National Guard serve part time or full time in the state and role of their choice. Airmen who serve in the Air Force Reserve can serve part time or full time to pursue a degree or advance in a different career while maintaining their civilian life.
Air Force careers are often physically demanding. Each begins with military training—either Basic Military Training (BMT) or Officer Training School (OTS)—both of which are very physically challenging. Therefore, applicants must be in good health.
Your health will be fully evaluated by a doctor at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). During your physical exam, you will have blood and urinalysis as well as hearing, eye and range-of-motion tests. Note that if you have a health condition and still wish to join the Air Force, your recruiter can help you consider the general guidelines for medical conditions and your eligibility for entrance.
If you are accepted into the Air Force, and if you are cleared for vigorous exercise by your physician, it may be helpful to undertake a fitness regimen such as is found in our guide to preparing for military training. It is recommended that you work out three to five times per week for 14 weeks if time permits. Be sure to start your regimen a minimum of six weeks before you are scheduled to depart for military training.
Since Air Force careers are often physically demanding, we maintain strict height and weight requirements. If you have attained full-grown height and are too short or too tall to meet our requirements, there is no possible recourse. You can, however, manage your weight to meet our requirements.
For pilot and aircrew positions, height specifications vary by aircraft. Those significantly taller or shorter than average may require special screening to ensure they can safely perform operational duties. Note that applicants must be a minimum of five pounds under their max weight. If the maximum weight for your height is 190 pounds, you must be 185 pounds or less. If an applicant is within five pounds of the maximum weight or over their maximum weight and has a muscular build, they may be authorized to apply.
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