To compete for a pilot or combat systems officer allocation you need to:
- Be enrolled full-time in a school offering Air Force ROTC and qualify for the program
- Meet all physical requirements
- Achieve qualifying scores on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
Air Force Officer Qualifying TestA standardized test similar to the SAT and ACT that measures aptitudes, and is used to select applicants for officer commissioning programs or specific training programs. A required test for all cadets and students on scholarship or in the POC. - Maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average
- Receive a waiver for any civil involvement (for example, speeding tickets, minor infractions, etc.)
- Be commissioned prior to reaching your 29th birthday
Getting Started
If you are interested in becoming an Air Force pilot or combat systems officer, start talking to your detachment admissions officerdetachment admissions officerThe Air Force officer located at each detachment responsible for in-college and local area recruiting. (for college students) or Regional Director of Admissions (for high school students) as soon as possible. If you are medically qualified and desire a flying career, you must compete for pilot and/or combat systems officer allocations about 15 months prior to graduation and commissioning.
Junior Year of Air Force ROTC
Fall Term – Make sure you talk to the detachmentdetachmentThe Air Force ROTC unit at a host university. staff and let them know you are interested in flying. There are a number of tasks that you need to get accomplished to make sure that you are qualified to compete for a pilot or combat systems officer slot.
- Have a completed physical, coordinated with Air Force ROTC, that establishes you are medically certified to be a pilot or combat systems officer. This must be completed by November of your junior year.
- Take the AFOQTAFOQTAir Force Officer Qualifying Test and achieve qualifying scores.
- Pilots need minimum Pilot and Combat Systems Officer scores of 25 and 10, respectively.
- Combat Systems Officers need minimum Pilot and Combat Systems Officer scores of 10 and 25, respectively.
- Take the Basic Aptitude TestBasic Aptitude TestBAT - A computerized test battery, it is used as an aid in the selection of United States Air Force pilot candidates. (BAT)
Spring Term – The cutoff date for submitting updated information to your package is normally the second week of February.
Senior Year of Air Force ROTC
Once selected, Air Force ROTC pilot candidates have the opportunity to complete the Introductory Flight Training Program as an AFROTCAFROTCAir Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet. This program consists of 50 hours of flying time culminating in earning a Private Pilot Certificate. You must finish this program prior to beginning Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.
Air Force ROTC combat systems officer candidates have the opportunity to complete the Combat Systems Officer Introductory Flight Training Program as an AFROTCAFROTCAir Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet. This program consists of 20 hours of instruction covering basic navigation skills. You must finish this program prior to beginning Specialized Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer Training.
Specific duty assignments must be made prior to commissioning, based on the needs of the Air Force, individual qualifications and desires.
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