Understanding the Air Force OTS Requirements for Officer Candidates
The Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) is a commissioning program for the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. It is designed to train and prepare officer candidates to become leaders in the Air Force and Space Force. To be eligible for OTS, candidates must meet specific requirements, which are outlined below.
Basic Requirements
To be considered for OTS, candidates must meet the following basic requirements:
- Age: Be between the ages of 17 and 39 (with some exceptions for older candidates)
- Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen
- Education: Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Physical Fitness: Meet the Air Force’s physical fitness standards
Physical Requirements
OTS candidates must meet the Air Force’s physical fitness standards, which include:
- Body Mass Index (BMI): Have a BMI between 18.5 and 29.9
- Body Fat Percentage: Have a body fat percentage of 20% or less for men and 24% or less for women
- Push-ups: Be able to perform 30 or more push-ups in one minute
- Sit-ups: Be able to perform 30 or more sit-ups in one minute
- 1.5-mile Run: Be able to complete a 1.5-mile run in 10:23 minutes or less
Medical Requirements
OTS candidates must also meet the Air Force’s medical standards, which include:
- Vision: Have correctable vision to 20⁄20 in each eye
- Hearing: Have normal hearing in each ear
- Blood Pressure: Have a blood pressure of 140⁄90 or less
- Medical Conditions: Not have any medical conditions that would prevent them from performing their duties as an officer
Background Check
OTS candidates must undergo a background check, which includes:
- FBI Fingerprint Check: A fingerprint check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Background Investigation: A background investigation through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT)
OTS candidates must take the AFOQT, which is a standardized test that measures a candidate’s aptitude for officer training. The test consists of 12 sections, including:
- Verbal Analogies
- Arithmetic Reasoning
- Word Knowledge
- Math Knowledge
- Reading Comprehension
- Situational Judgment
- Physical Science
- Table Reading
- Instrument Comprehension
- Block Counting
- Hidden Figures
Officer Training School (OTS) Selection
After meeting the basic requirements, physical requirements, medical requirements, and passing the AFOQT, candidates must be selected for OTS. The selection process includes:
- Application Review: A review of the candidate’s application and qualifications
- Interviews: One or more interviews with an Air Force recruiter or officer
- Board Review: A review of the candidate’s application and qualifications by a selection board
Notes
📝 Note: The Air Force OTS requirements are subject to change, and candidates should check with an Air Force recruiter or the Air Force website for the most up-to-date information.
📝 Note: Meeting the requirements does not guarantee selection for OTS. The selection process is competitive, and candidates must demonstrate their potential to become an Air Force officer.
FAQs
What is the minimum age requirement for OTS?
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The minimum age requirement for OTS is 17 years old.
Do I need a college degree to apply for OTS?
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How long does the OTS program last?
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The OTS program lasts approximately 9 weeks.
In summary, the Air Force OTS requirements include basic requirements, physical requirements, medical requirements, and passing the AFOQT. Candidates must also undergo a background check and be selected for OTS through a competitive process. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee selection, and candidates must demonstrate their potential to become an Air Force officer.
