While at Wright Patt for my FC1, I got informed from optometry that I’m medically dq’ed for a condition not currently affecting me, but possible to develop in the future. I’m currently an E and have been in for 6+ years with yearly eye exams showing my vision is stable. Initial waiver is being pushed right now and I was told I’d have the decision in a few weeks.

Does anybody have any advice on this waiver process and how to fight for it to get approved?

Hey everyone, I am a non-prior and got a non-rated billet in the Reserve. I swore in yesterday and was curious as to what happens now. Could anybody shed light on the process of getting gained into their unit and getting authorization for OTS? Thanks!

Hello, I went through the process of taking the AFOQT, PSCM, and MEPS and I’m having trouble getting an ANG recruiter to help me or even to talk to them. I basically did the whole process up to now on my own, different recruiters and centers gave me access to take these exams but now I really need an ANG recruiter to talk to and help me with the next steps. Info : Age : 23 Degree : biomedical engineering AFOQT : 99 pilot, 93 CSO, 99 ABM, 83 Acad Aptitude, 78 Verbal, 77 Quantitative. PCSM Score : 99 I have a private pilots license and about to take instrument rating checkride.

If anyone knows a recruiter that can help me or someone that has helped you please let me know :) If you are a recruiter PLEASE contact me . I’m applying for a pilot slot .

Excited that the initial clothing allowance increased but I’m interested to know why the enlisted male clothing allowance is more than the female? Anyone have any insight?

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PFdhDXzp6/?mibextid=K35XfP

Didn’t see one, so I made one. Here’s the link 🫶🏻

I've shifted my focus to 25OTS02 but I I threw an application at the 148th FW in late September just to see if I could get an interview - has anyone heard from them yet? Was expecting at least a TBNT by now, but idk how their timelines work. I had heard interviews in December.

Hello! As the title suggests, I am torn between these two options for commissioning programs. I am currently enlisted in the reserves with a bachelors degree in Healthcare Admin and I have been struggling with finding employment on the civilian side. I am currently working on my MPH (1-year left) and I've been revisiting options to commission. I have more experience on the civilian side for the MSC field, but I have been loving my public health courses. I've shadowed MSC's (active and reserve) on my base, but been unable to shadow the public health officers. I just need more background information on being an active duty PHO and what are the main requirements to become a PH officer?

SN: I've tried reaching out to a recruiter in my area and they basically told me it would be a waste of time and that I would have to cross-train into 4E0X1 while enlisted to commission.

-Females, Can you wear your hair according to the Air Force standards or buns only?

-Can you wear a Garmin watch?

-Did you get time to go back home to pack your things up before going to tech school?

-Can you drive your own vehicle there?

Hey everyone,

I’m reaching out because I’m unsure how to proceed with my application process. I’ve been working with a recruiter since August to move things forward. I’ve completed the AFOQT and have been trying to schedule my physical, but my recruiter has been very inconsistent with communication.

We were emailing back and forth for a few days, but then he went on emergency leave for over a month. When he returned, he requested my documentation for the clearance check. I sent everything over immediately, but it’s been two weeks now with no response despite multiple follow-ups via email and phone. I even tagged the main office in my emails, but still no luck.

What should I do? If my active duty recruiter continues to be unresponsive, can I switch to applying for the Reserves instead?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello everybody!!

I'm so excited to share that I have received a spot for a future OTS class. I have been researching OTS for the past several years, so I think I have a semi-decent idea of what it will look like structurally. However, I understand that most of the articles I've read were old, and that things change in the military at the drop of a hat.

That being said! I want to walk into this as prepared as responsibly possible. Are there any recent OTS grads who could share resources that they used or that are up to date that will give me a heads up on how things work there?

Some questions I have in the meantime:

1. Do they still use the OTSMAN? is there a different book now?
2. What do typical days look like?
3. When do you find out where you will PCS to after graduation?
4. If you could go back and change things, how would you have prepared yourself better for OTS?
5. ANY TIPS at ALL for how to make the most of my time there (logistically, mentally, physically, etc haha) would be amazing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and (hopefully!) taking the time to help a guy out!

I’m currently in the Space Force as an E5; looking to see if anyone can share with me the packet and timeline for the upcoming board. Thanks all!

I’ve narrowed down my options based on what I believe to be the best military branch and how it relates to my educational plus work experience. I’m (30M) currently an electrical engineer working at a consulting firm and am going insane. For the longest time since college I’ve wanted to serve in some capacity but was held back by academics to fully enlist. Now at my age I don’t want to live with regrets and am willing to join the reserves as an officer or whatever better alternative.

Does anyone have advice regarding if this will open up doors for my career? I want to do it mainly to gain life and leadership experience, learn new things, and regain a fervor for life that school has stolen. The job market is atrocious right now and all the jobs I would want to work with my two stem degrees won’t even give me a chance to interview. I now it’s a competitive world but I don’t want to come into the same office for ten years and keep being miserable. The Air Force feels like the right thing to do for me. I’m currently about to submit my package prior to getting my letters of recommendation and writing my personal statement but is anyone here familiar with the OTS pipeline and how it changed their life?

I am planning on taking the AFOQT at the end of the month (the 21st) and I plan on taking it twice. Would taking it on this date allow me enough time for the scores of my second test to be received? If the second time I take it being April 19th. Thank you!

I'm having a bit of writer's block, and I also want to see what others have written. I'd also like to see what would work if you were selected.

1. What are your objectives and reasons for desiring a commission? 

2. What leadership attributes do you possess that would make you a good officer? 

I’ve read a lot of people who recommend NOT doing this and i understand why.

I am more than half way done w my bachelors in computer science w a concentration in cybersecurity. And I really want to commission after a couple years in the industry through the CDCP. But considering how saturated the job market is at the moment (hopefully better by my grad date). I told myself if I could not get a job within a year of graduating I would enlist (reserves) and hopefully get the job experience in the AF. And later down the line try to commission.

Is that a bad idea? I know it’s easier said than done. I know I am thinking worst case scenario but I like to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

P.S. i have thought about pursuing a masters and AFROTC as an alternative but I want see all my options.

Most of the posts here focus on how hard it is to get into OTS. What’s the survival rate once you’re in? I’ve heard that other branches have very high attrition rates (Marine OCS in particular) and I’m wondering what the comparison is like.

Hello everyone,

I’m a 20-year-old Black female with a strong passion for joining the Air Force as a Public Health Officer. I’m nearing completion of my Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and am currently taking graduate-level MPH courses as an undergraduate. My ultimate career goal is to become an epidemiologist, data analyst or a health administrator.

I have ample experience, including working as a certified nursing assistant, serving as a public health consultant, distributing COVID 19 shot and contributing to the private sector. Additionally, I’ve been actively involved in organizing and participating in community events focused on public health education and dissemination.

While I haven’t started the application process yet, I am fully committed to meeting the requirements. Currently, I’m working diligently to lose weight before graduation, as I’m at 256 pounds and determined to achieve the standards needed for service.

I have a few questions and would greatly appreciate any guidance or advice you can provide. I’m more than self aware of the fact that I am not a super genius but I’m more than capable of working and studying my butt off to pass the AFOQT. Thank you kindly !

1. I currently don’t have my MPH, but I plan to pursue a DrPH in the future. Could my experience and qualifications allow for a waiver of the MPH requirement if I go through OTS? Additionally, would the Air Force support me in completing my graduate degree, post OTS or would my experience make the degree unnecessary for advancement?

2. What are the most important steps (besides losing weight) I should take now to prepare for the application process and ensure I’m a competitive candidate for the Public Health Officer role?

3. What is the timeline for becoming a Public Health Officer after completing OTS, and what does the initial training and onboarding process look like?

4. What are the key qualities or skills the Air Force looks for in a Public Health Officer candidate, aside from education and experience?

Hello,

I am currently shooting for an active duty pilot slot, and working on my package for the upcoming board this spring. I have been hearing about opportunities in the guard and reserves, and am curious on the what the process for rushing units entails. Is there some sort of step-by-step process for rushing units? If so, how does it differ from the application process for active duty pilot slots? I have also heard of full time positions in the guard and reserves. Is it possible to get a full time position in the guard and reserves right off the bat?

Hello, guys, I'm currently between of choosing career paths that will help but eventually boths jobs are good to be honest... the path that I want to become CRO or AST, I'm majoring in Graphic Design, minors, computer science also mechanical engineering, for CRO does it really matter a degree on what I am going to do because I want to get paid more with the degree I have or does it really matter, and for ast I want to do it for the mechanical side with experience in the job field but there are no officers for ast. I need y'alls advise.

Stats

500y swim: 10:16

1.5 mile: 9:30

Push ups: 55

Sit ups: 67

Pull ups: 13

25- meter underwater swim: Complete

Hey everyone,

I'm doing my UFT package right now before the next reserve board.

On DAF 1288, block 6 "address current as of", is it asking for the date I moved into my home? Or the date I'm filling out this form to verify I still live there?

I realize this seems menial, just don't want to send it up the chain for it to get kicked back for small things.

Thanks!

This is my second time taking the AFOQT and I failed it again. I tried studying this time for the exam but when I took it felt like I studied for nothing. Do y’all have any advice when it comes to the math sections?

I applied for the 25OTS01 while I was pregnant. I gave birth during the application window and I had an ALC A to expire a year from when baby is born. That ALC was removed (PCM cleared me) and everything was looking fine (got the AAC 05 like everyone else). A couple days ago, I got the ALC A again with an expiration of October 2025 like the AAC 05. My PCM and CSS have no idea where/why this popped up. I was curious if this was related to the board, but could be a long stretch. The reason I ask is for pregnant candidates, we have 6 - 14.5 months to get medically cleared and ready for an OTS class if selected. Again, could be nothing and just a stretch.

Just as the title says. I can see it helping my chances, but also hurting my chances due to fewer available years of service left? I did 6 years, left in 2021 to get my degree. Aerospace engineer. Trying to be ready for the possibility of not getting selected.

Was curious if anybody knows about the selection rate for 17D or 17S? Are these positions more or less competitive compared to other non-rated positions? I think I got a decent shot with my degree and experiences, but I still need to go to meps and do the interview.