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Take Flight

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES (AVIATION - S.T.E.M. - YOUTH - CADETS)

AFRS Det. 1 logo Air Force Recruiting Service, Detachment 1
Air Force Recruiting Service, Detachment 1

The Air Force Recruiting Service – Detachment 1’s (Det 1) primary audience is the pre-accession population (youth, young adult, and influencers), under-represented groups (URG), and strategic partners nationwide to provide pathways to aviation via the Air Force’s three commissioning sources

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Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets, pose for a picture at Salisbury, Maryland, August 10, 2022. The Cadets were at the end of the course and all had passed their last flight test, making them pilots still in or just out of high school. Air Force Junior ROTC
Air Force Junior ROTC

The mission of Air Force Junior ROTC is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. It is designed to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship, promote community service, instill personal responsibility, character, and self-discipline. This is achieved through air and space education and hands-on-learning opportunities!

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Civil Air Patrol Shield v2 (Color), Graphic courtesy of Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters. Commercial reproduction of this emblem is NOT permitted without the permission of the proponent organizational/unit commander. Image is 7x7 inches @ 300 ppi. CIVIL AIR PATROL
CIVIL AIR PATROL

Since its inception in 1941, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) serves as a premier public service organization that serves through aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet programs. For both youth and adults, CAP promotes aviation and related fields through aerospace/STEM education, shapes future leaders, and provides an integral search & rescue mission for the United States.

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FIND YOUR PATH TO FLYING IN THE AIR FORCE (COLLEGE STUDENT - COMMISIONED OFFICER - FLYING AIRCREW)

Grace Tinkey takes the oath of office June 2, 2022, on Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, as a newly commissioned second lieutenant. Tinkey commissioned through Air Force Officer Training School, attending the school following her selection in 2021 for the Senior Leader Enlisted Commissioning Program. The former enlisted C-17 loadmaster was also selected for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. Her dream of becoming an officer and pilot were realized following personal tragedies that delayed her plans for nearly a decade. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Gandy) OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL (OTS)
OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL (OTS)

Officer Training School is a nine-week, four-phase program designed for civilians and prior-service Airmen with a college degree who are ready to take the next step as a leader in their lives and careers. Upon graduation, you are commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force or Space Force.

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Graphic of Air Force ROTC emblem AIR FORCE ROTC
AIR FORCE ROTC

Offered at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country, Air Force ROTC develops the leaders of tomorrow. Scholarship opportunities are available and, upon graduation and degree completion, students are commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force or Space Force.

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U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2020 graduates toss their hats in the air as the Air Force Thunderbirds flyover U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY

One of the five U.S. service academies, the U.S. Air Force Academy trains 4,000+ cadets via integrated and immersive academic, athletic, and military curriculum tuition-free. Cadets graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Orchydia Sackey, 50th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, stands in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, March 7, 2023. RISE-ABOVE HOW TO BECOME AN AIR FORCE AVIATOR
RISE-ABOVE HOW TO BECOME AN AIR FORCE AVIATOR

Learn about how real Air Force aircrew achieved their flying dreams and what pathways are available to earning your wings with the Air Force!

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Rated Prep Program overview

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Rated Preparatory Program Overview

Air Education and Training Command

US AIR FORCE ACADEMY

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Heritage Today - Dignity and Respect USAFA

Air Force Profession of Arms Center of Excellence

JROTC FLIGHT ACADEMY

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JROTC Flight Academy

Air University Public Affairs

AIM HIGH FLIGHT ACADEMY

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AIM High Flight Academy: Changing Lives

Air University Public Affairs

AFJROTC Program Overview

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AFJROTC Program Overview

Air University Public Affairs

RATED DIVERSITY IMPROVEMENT RESOURCES

CIVIL AIR PATROL – RATED PREPARATORY PROGRAM

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CIVIL AIR PATROL – RATED PREPARATORY PROGRAM 

The Rated Preparatory Program (RPP) provides qualified Airmen an opportunity to gain and strengthen basic aviation skills in advance of testing for flight training.  Program participants will receive ground instruction, approximately 7.5 hours of flight time, and approximately 2.5 hours in FAA-certified flight simulators. The program is designed for minimal interference in duties with the allowance of self-paced ground school and a one-week, hands-on flying class to introduce participants to aviation fundamentals.  RPP is supported by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and Air Education & Training Command (AETC). RPP is not a commissioning program, nor does it guarantee participants will be selected for a particular rated AFSC. 

While exploring improved methods of selecting and developing a diverse group of rated officers, the Air Crew Task Force (ACTF) developed the Pilot Preparatory Program (PPP), now renamed the Rated Preparatory Program. This program allowed ACTF to evaluate the impact of ground school and 7-9 hours of flight time on Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) board scores (Test of Basic Aviation Skills, (TBAS) and Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT).

In the RPP history, there have been over 132 students selected to a rated career field through the UFT board. Following the program’s success, AETC assumed execution responsibility for the program in FY20 and rebranded the program into RPP to emphasize its intent to increase diversity in all rated career fields (Pilot, Combat Systems Officer, Air Battle Manager and RPA Pilot).  In FY21, RPP participation was offered to enlisted Airmen who seek to become part of the Air Force’s rated officer corps and has proven successful in improving AFOQT and TBAS scores by about 40% on average thus improving chances of selection for Air Force flying training programs. 

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:

Program Description: 
The RPP Panel will select up to 60 candidates. 
This board is open to RegAF officer and enlisted personnel. 
US Space Force (USSF) Guardians are not eligible to apply. USAF personnel who have not transferred to the USSF but are working in a USSF unit are eligible. 
Personnel who have previously attended PPP or RPP are not eligible to apply.

 

This program is funded by AETC RDI at no cost to the unit. Eligibility – Applicants Must: 

Be of high moral character.

Obtain Group Commander (or first O-6 in supervisory chain) approval and endorsement. Score at least minimum passing for the Physical Fitness Test. 

Submit scores from the AFOQT and TBAS to receive Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM) upon application to RPP. 

Applicants with 5 or less hours of flying time are preferred. Those with more than 5 hours will be considered on a space available basis. 

Begin the process to obtain the appropriate Air Force flight commensurate with the rated interest. For example, Initial Flying Class 1 (IFC1) for pilots. 

Meet Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) board requirements post RPP. 
(IAW AFMAN 36-2100) 

Enlisted requirements: 

Complete a bachelor’s degree by the program start date no exceptions.

Individuals are responsible for ensuring they meet the requirements for application to an Air Force Officer commissioning source. (AFMAN 36-2032, Military Recruiting and Accessions, AFMAN36-2100, Military Utilization and Classification, AFMAN 36-2664, Personnel Assessment Program, and AFRS SOPG). 

Upon RPP graduation, apply to a commissioning source at the next opportunity. For additional information in inquiries, please contact Ms. Kassandra Hall or Mr. Steven 
Thompson by email at AETC.RDI.Workflow@us.af.mil 

Additional Resources 
Latest PSDM Information can be found on MyPers at https://mypers.af.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/12973

Enlisted-to-Officer:  https://www.airforce.com/how-to-join/process/enlisted-to-officer

Medical Flight Screening: https://www.afrl.af.mil/711HPW/USAFSAM/FCI/%20Medical%20Flight%2 0Screening%20Evaluations/ 

More information on Civil Air Patrol: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/