U.S. Air Force – Things You Need to Know to Join

The US Air Force: What Is It?

The U.S. Air Force, one of the five branches of the military, protects the country by using its command over the sky and space.

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement to Join the U.S. Air Force?

Candidates who have never served in the military must start basic training before reaching 28. Before turning 35, applicants for the Officer Training School must be commissioned. Before turning 40, applicants in the medical, nursing, and allied health areas must be enrolled in commissioned officer training. The age requirements for applicants with prior service may be different from those listed above. Prospective former service members may contact their local recruiter to inquire about age limits.

What’s the ASVAB?

Your aptitudes will be evaluated by the ASVAB test. There are 10 briefs, and separate examinations that examine a range of topics, including word recognition, paragraph comprehension, mathematical reasoning, general science, automotive and shop knowledge, mechanical comprehension, electronics knowledge, numerical operations, and coding speed. You obtain scores on each of these individual exams when you take the ASVAB prior to enlisting, in addition to the results of multiple other tests being combined to generate three academic composite scores: verbal, arithmetic, and academic ability.

How Can I Get Ready?

Your studies should be your top focus if you are a high school student. Study till you pass the test. Quit using drugs, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and avoid difficulties. If you sign up for challenging classes, your opportunities will increase (such as advanced math, English, science, etc.).

What Are Some Benefits of Joining?

• Consistent income: You receive payments twice a month, on the first and the fifteenth, in accordance with your pay grade and service requirements.
• Promotion: Your promotion is based on how well you perform, how long you spend working at a higher pay grade, and how long you have been employed.
• Paid Vacation: You are allowed a total of 60 days of paid vacation every year or 2.5 days per month.
• Training: Your career path will depend on how smart you are, how to fit you are, if you have a security clearance, how driven you are, and how determined you are. Any specialty, including military jobs, is open to women.
• Healthcare: You will have free access to full medical and dental care while you are on active duty.
• Life insurance: Active-duty service members can get term life insurance for up to $200,000 for $18 per month.
• Allowances: You may also receive additional tax-free funds for basic housing allowance (BAH), basic subsistence allowance (BAS), and a uniform allowance (for enlisted troops only) in order to help maintain your uniform if there is no government housing or food facilities available where you are stationed.
• Tax advantage: Only your base monthly salary is subject to federal and state income taxes.
• GI Bill: The expense of a college education or career training can be partially covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill.
• Tuition assistance: You can keep going to school while serving in the military, and you may be able to get money to help pay for college-level classes.
• Additional benefits: There are also exchange and commissary privileges, reimbursements for moving, short-term housing costs, travel reimbursements, travel reimbursements, survivor benefits, and home loans from Veterans Affairs.

Does the U.S. Air Force Take People with Prior Service?

Yes. The service accepts prior-service people but on a very limited basis.

What If I’m Not a Citizen of the US?

Only Americans and foreigners with a current Alien Registration Card (INS Form I-151/551) from the Immigration and Naturalization Service are qualified to submit an application. Candidates must be capable readers, writers, and speakers of English.

Can the Military Assist Me in Becoming a US Citizen?

No, the military is unable to assist foreign nationals with their entry-level applications.

What if I Reside Abroad?

Regulations prohibit sending recruitment information over international mail, not even to American citizens living abroad. Use our web form to send an electronic message to a recruiter.

How Long Is Boot Camp or Basic Military Training?

How Does BMT Work?

With the goal of making the best airmen possible, the U.S. Air Force’s Basic Military Training, or BMT, consists of eight weeks of tough training (minus four to five days for processing).

Should I Take Any Action Before Visiting BMT?

Yes. The more physically strong you are before you arrive, the better your chances of staying healthy and completing basic military training will be. Exercise three or more times each week and begin slowly. During your workouts, concentrate on doing sit-ups, push-ups, and two miles of running.

How Do I Become an Officer?

There are several ways to become an officer, including through the U.S. Air Force Academy, ROTC, Officer Training School, Airmen Education and Commissioning Program, and direct commissioning programs.

What Is the Airman Education and Commissioning Program?

The US Air Force Academy: What Is It?

Young people are prepared to be leaders as Air Force officers at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Cadets complete their four years of study with a bachelor’s degree in science. Academics, military training, physical fitness, spiritual growth, and ethical development are prioritized. The humanities, social sciences, engineering, and basic sciences are all covered in academic courses. Under this approach, each cadet completes a 91.5 semester-hour core curriculum. There are 25 distinct academic majors from which to pick.

How Do I Submit an Academy Application?