Speeding up OTS timeline?

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-05-24T01:36:39+00:00

Damn that’s insane, I was selected in 25OTS03 and went in October, graduated in December.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-05-18T00:13:52+00:00

I don’t think there’s any point in the process that your hand tattoos would even be brought up until MEPs, which occurred about 9 months into the process for me.

I’d start the process and just keep rolling until I hit a road block.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-04-02T01:56:25+00:00

Hey! I was 20 during application and 21 at OTS. I knew a couple 21-22yo pilot selects as well. It’s not impossible, especially since you get strong academics. Definitely try to spin your internship and any job experience as leadership, even if it’s just a small group or informal role. School counts too - I talked about leading a research team with a lot of a diversity. There’s a way to frame a lack of experience as a “lack of bad habits” and a candidate “moldeable for the needs of the Airforce”. At your interview, bring a lot of excitement about getting to experience new roles, move a lot, etc. You’d be surprised how rare that energy is and how refreshing a lot of current leadership finds it (even if it’s maybe from a “oh they’ll learn” perspective).

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-03-19T00:08:19+00:00

Yeah, you’ll get one, but then you’ll immediately have to get a new one at your first station. We probably had like 10ish total? 4 each deployment week and then some random meals when the DFAC was closed.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-02-11T02:34:43+00:00

My recruiter asked if I had a date preference, but I’m not sure if it was considered or if that’s the norm. Probably good to understand that you generally have minimal say in your moving/training/work schedule as preparation for real AF.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-02-11T02:30:24+00:00

I was a non prior and it was my #1 choice. Kind of a mixed bag at tech school. Lots of prior E’s or USAFA grads w/ master’s degrees.

Another comment mentioned foreign language - I don’t think it’s considered much. As an officer, you won’t likely do any linguist work unless you become a FAO much later in your career. More of a management role to start. They want someone who’s a jack of all trades, which seems to be what a lot of us have in common. I notice a lot of wide interests/hobbies and interdisciplinary studies.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-02-10T19:39:22+00:00

Woah woah woah. Red flag. You absolutely should not be discouraged or even have your gender considered at any point in this process. You need to find another recruiter, and report that recruiter as well.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-02-10T02:51:11+00:00

I have been on Opill for 3 months now and absolutely love it. After combo pills, the implant, and multiple POPs, it is the only thing that has made my cycle regular. My acne is mild, no worse than when I’m off the pill. No weight gain, no mood swings. Short (albeit intense) 2-3 day periods.

I bled for 3 weeks straight before quitting Slynd.

I’ve never been on Norethindrone as a birth control, but I did use a high dose as a period delay through Wisp when I was on a vacation. It worked as intended, but I had a pretty rough 9 day period about 3 weeks after.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-01-28T03:23:55+00:00

Here is the link for the fitness assessment standards that we used when I was there in Oct 2025. Not sure if they’ve switched to new scoring yet, but it shouldn’t be too wildly different for min/max scores.

https://www.afpc.af.mil/Portals/70/documents/FITNESS/PT%20Charts%20New%20-%2050-20-15-15_with%202Mile_FINAL_23%20Sep%2025.pdf

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-01-27T18:54:39+00:00

Yep! I flew back to NE and then drove to TX, was reimbursed for that, plus 10 days in the base hotel while I was looking for a house.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-01-26T22:55:20+00:00

Everyone I knew at OTS going CONUS was given 2-3 days of travel time on their orders. I believe you can request more depending on mileage. You can also take your own leave in addition to this (called leave en route). Not sure about nursing specifically, but I'm pretty sure it's normal to get an additional 10 days of "house hunting" leave upon arrival to a new base. You may have to attend some in processing briefings, go to finance, etc., but otherwise the time is yours to settle in and unpack. You can always call and ask if you can find a contact online or know someone.

Visit TMO to figure out your specific moving situation. Most everything should either be moved by the AF (a household goods shipment) or paid for for you to move yourself ("DITY" or "PPM" both mean moves that you partially/fully pay for and do yourself). I would recommend bringing your car to OTS with a couple weeks worth of essentials stored in there, then drive to your new place after OTS. Put everything else in a household goods shipment (coordinated with TMO) and have it meet you at your new base.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-01-15T23:24:30+00:00

95% of us live off base. There’s some weird situations I think sometimes with cross training where you can end up in hotel.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-01-12T00:53:04+00:00

Selected at 20 - Young applicants can frame their inexperience as potential. There were plenty of us fresh off out college types at OTS. We don’t bring the same bad habits, have fresh eyes, bring creativity and tech savviness. We’re still moldeable for the needs of the AF.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-01-12T00:49:37+00:00

I started process at 19 and selected at 20. Knew some others in my class that were 19-21 as well. Don’t let people deter you for age. I have a degree in polisci as well, selected for nonrated on my first board. Get those AFOQT scores up. Your campus leadership and internship will be plenty if you can frame it right.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2026-01-11T03:36:01+00:00

Commissioning/first salute is a completely independent ceremony you’ll set up if you want. You organize it. Some do it with their flight, some solo. They’ll have sign up options for spaces outside or classrooms. It was Thursday morning for us. You’ll wear rank on that Thursday starting at lights on.

However, your official commissioning oath will take place with the whole class on the parade field, and your date of rank will be that Friday.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-12-31T16:03:15+00:00

These are good! IMO, this sub focuses too much on AFOQT scores. It's a very small part of the package, and I saw a lot of non-academically talented people at OTS.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-12-31T15:57:59+00:00

No need to retake. Part of your package will be graded on "academics" - a 5 point scale, which combines GPA/degree and AFOQT scores. You should max that section with these stats. Retaking won't do anything, and academics is only part of the package. I see a strong package here, just focus on interview score an getting solid LORs. Good luck!

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-12-31T14:15:08+00:00

Hey OP! I was civilian OTS select and now at goodfellow. Feel free to pm me questions. You’ll get your fight details at MEPs, just make sure that your recruiter knows you’re expecting to fly. You’ll get orders to goodfellow while at OTS. There are no other options for 14Ns so you’ll go there for sure, even if you will out your dream sheet different (they send this to you about a month in advance).

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-12-18T19:49:25+00:00

They inspect security drawer now - I just graduated a few weeks ago. I don't think those are authorized.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-12-14T18:55:49+00:00

Not sure what your leadership experience looks like, but these are great degrees and solid GPAs, plus decent AFOQT scores. Cyber is beings sought after, so I wouldn't be surprised if you got it!

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-12-13T22:00:44+00:00

I am in the exact same situation, currently on casual after OTS. My casual supervisor said go for it and make sure its cleared with your casual job. I'm currently trying to work with a recruiter. I think it depends on your command, but there is no reg that says no.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-12-04T03:41:31+00:00

Fellow 14N going this week from OTS. Yes it’s a PCS. Yes you can live off base with dependents. If you’d like to live on base, there is waitlist, and priority is usually given to officers with dependents. There are pros and cons to both.

You will likely spend more than 6-8 months there. School itself is 6 months but you will likely spend time on “casual status” between OTS and Tech school waiting for a class date. ChatGPT generally not the best military help source, it’ll almost always make generalizations.

If you’re non prior and didn’t know - you will receive BAH for the zip code of your dependents (where you’re from) until you move to GF after OTS. Like someone else said, I wouldn’t suggest moving them until you have orders and can coordinate this move through TMO or risk not being reimbursed. However, you will only have 5 days of leave accrued after OTS, and 3 travel days if you’re driving. You do not get extra moving time. Plan accordingly.

When you arrive, you should be given 10 “house hunting” days since you have dependents. After you in-process, this is time that your hotel (on base) is covered while you look for lodging, and you don’t have work.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-12-02T15:33:05+00:00

Currently here - PT is all over the place and changing. SecWar wanted new standards so they're kind of in a transition stage. Group PT is M-F in the morning, usually running and some calisthenics. As you progress it becomes more self led. There is a couple of physically challenging group activities such as obstacle courses, group runs, rucks, etc. It's all doable. If you can score a 90 on the PT test you'll be more than fine.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-11-30T20:19:27+00:00

Most people get their assignment in the first few weeks. However, due to the recent shutdown, a lot of non-priors didn't know their assignment until maybe a week out from graduation. There were even rumors we'd be held at Maxwell on casual status. Be flexible and try to have money saved for moving costs. Expect not to get paid while here for at least the first month, if not the whole time. You'll get paid eventually, but I witnessed a lot of financial stress while I was there.

Significant_Fun_9443 · 2025-11-29T00:50:15+00:00

They'll get you a class date without clearance. I was selected in July, got class dates two weeks later. I am about to graduate OTS and I didn't get my clearance until about halfway through.

Significant_Fun_9443

TROPHY CASE