How Do You Become An Air Force Pilot?
• The first step to becoming a pilot in the US Air Force is to complete a bachelor’s degree program at a civilian college or university. The second step is earning a commission as an officer (a Second Lieutenant to be precise). You have essentially four choices: The US Air Force Academy (4 years of marching, looking good), The US Merchant Marine Academy and accepting your commission in the Air Force, ROTC (4 years of wearing uniforms to class and saying very un-pilot-like things like “AirPower,” marching and well groomed haircuts), OTS (12 weeks of early mornings, vaguely annoyed instructors and a decent salad bar). Your choice: you’ll earn a commission no matter which way you go. • And if you do well enough, you might earn a spot at Undergraduate Pilot Training. Things determining that are: Your GPA, Class standing (for USAFA and ROTC), Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) scores, Pilot Composite Selection Method (PCSM) scores, Recommendations. • The AFOQT is a comprehensive, day
The lure of flying fighters brings many people to consider careers in the Air Force. In order to actually become an Air Force pilot, you must meet stringent medical, physical, and academic requirements and become an officer in the United States Air Force. The road is long, but the rewards are great. Read about the Air Force. Understand fully that you are signing up to become an officer in the Air Force. You may plan on flying fighters, but the Air Force may have other ideas. Apply to the officer program of your choice. You may apply online through the Air Force Web site. The programs include the United States Air Force Academy, Air Force ROTC and Air Force Basic Officer Training. You may apply for both an AFROTC scholarship and admission to the Academy. Examine the majors offered at the colleges you would like to attend and then apply to college. Your academic major will play a role in receiving AFROTC scholarships and may impact your career choices down the road. All pilots must be co
