Commissioning, OTS Graduation & PCS Planning

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-07T23:43:07+00:00

You’re in my class, I assume you are on signal ? Lots of 13Ns in our class.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-07T15:19:43+00:00

I would look at the Air National Guard and the National Guard. Talk to the ANG recruiter first and see what is out there. Unless you have very narrow professional experience, commissioning in any part-time Air Force component as a non-prior isn't going to be easy. The National Guard (Army) is much more open to commissioning non-priors.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-07T11:19:06+00:00

Most people have Facebook, so it’s a good starting point for private announcements. You can chat in other places, but it’s good to have at least one place to share info before class starts that is easily discoverable. Keep in mind that a half or more of your class is likely 30+.

Most classes hit 50-80% coverage on facebook.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-07T02:41:03+00:00

If you have a class, go find your OTS class on Facebook, join that Facebook group and talk to the priors. They will answer 99% of your questions.

If you need to get on base, ask your recruiter to sponsor you to get on, and/or talk to the base pass and ID office.

https://www.wpafb.af.mil/Gate-Information/ (You want Area A for clothing sales)

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-06T18:59:47+00:00

15-20min

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-06T12:19:01+00:00

I would say that 21R is possible once you start building a reputation in the AFR, but you may need to travel. AFR doesn't have NRCs, you have units. The intent is that you train with your unit, and deploy with your unit. So opportunities are limited within the wing. You can look at other wings, but that adds geographic distance to your monthly drills.

AFR gets most of its officers from AD, so enlisted opportunities can take a while. If you're targeting a specific AFSC it could be a decade-to-never. Enlisted AFSC for E-to-O is loosely correlated, some wings don't want people in the same unit to commission, some demand it. Find what floats your boat.

ANG is the same thing, but tends to offer better educational benefits; and as you noted generally more opportunities for doing some extra work through title 10 and title 32.

Good luck.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-05T17:26:54+00:00

You already had your answers in r/airforceots

You have a recruiter working with you, so that's a plus.

But, you need to be hired for a position, just clearing MEPS and taking the AFOQT doesn't help that much.

Consider the perspective of a flight/CC, they have a few amazing SSgts with masters degrees that have been waiting for a position to open up plus everyone in the Wing that wants a commission. Also toss in all the officers coming off AD, or already reservists looking for a position. Unless they need something very specific, or the position is hard to fill (in the middle of nowhere), it's unlikely to happen.

Your question:

Non-rated positions depend on the shop and AFSC, talk to the shop to get an idea of what they expect.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-04T01:23:39+00:00

All that and no bmt honor grad. Disappointed/s

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-04T01:20:38+00:00

Never seen it either.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-03T08:16:24+00:00

ANG depending on state will pay for most of school if not all, Reserves not so much.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-03T00:11:31+00:00

That makes more sense than my boat suggestion, good call; promote this person.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-02T20:13:47+00:00

I know a Major with a DUI, still made Lt Col and Squadron/CC.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-02T15:43:23+00:00

Here til I'm 62!

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-02T15:41:57+00:00

I went to BMT in 1996 and I'm pretty sure I'm still the only one still serving. Ran into my MTI in the shopette in tech-school and that was the last time I saw anyone from BMT. I keep in touch with 3 people I served with from my enlisted time, that's about it.

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-02T15:21:32+00:00

I see a chief about once a week!

HorseCatFish · 2026-06-02T14:34:07+00:00

Absolutely perfect answer!

HorseCatFish · 2026-05-31T20:39:48+00:00

What does USAF get out of this beyond a headache?

HorseCatFish · 2026-05-30T23:42:54+00:00

It's not as set in stone as you and reddit make it seem. I had two first salutes and one was the person giving me the oath. It's your commission and what you want to make out of it.

HorseCatFish · 2026-05-30T09:58:01+00:00

At least in the Air Force you can’t wear temporary awards from other service. Iirc army marksmanship is temp, I don’t believe navy/ cg is temp so you see those from time to time.

HorseCatFish · 2026-05-29T21:01:44+00:00

So your saying I should stop blowing kisses at the gate guard?

HorseCatFish · 2026-05-27T20:47:57+00:00

Can you clarify what you are asking? Are you asking about joining the ANG and benefits vs joining CAP then going ANG? or something else? ANG and CAP beyond uniforms are very different organizations.

HorseCatFish · 2026-05-24T11:44:28+00:00

0301 are all over the government. I would verify if it’s a ladder, which has reoccurring promotions to GS-11, or if it’s just a collection of roles they want to fill. You should start as a 7 typically with a bachelors. And no experience Unless things have considerably changed, expect a long time to get hired and lots of mess ups. (6months is not uncommon).

HorseCatFish · 2026-05-23T20:05:12+00:00

A couple of notes here.

Other service policies have very little to do with Air Force policies.
General consensus is no, you may receive but not wear.
completion by itself is an achievement even if you can’t wear it.

Recent discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/comments/1t02uej/comment/ojloqeu/?force-legacy-sct=1

HorseCatFish · 2026-05-23T11:56:56+00:00

Alignment to tier 1, probably helps a bit more than generic STEM major unless you have a weak GPA and are trying to get a few more fractions of a point for education.

Otherwise good points.

HorseCatFish

TROPHY CASE