United States Air Force Enlistment Requirements

Many people are looking to the military to solve their financial woes. While this is not a bad idea, many are not aware of the sign up requirements and basic training graduation requirements prior to deciding to enlist in the Air Force. Many enlistment requirements vary by the branch of service, as do the basic training graduation requirements. This article will discuss these issues as related to the United States Air Force.

Tattoos

Tattoos or other brands of the body that are obscene, sexual, racial, or discriminating are not allowed. Furthermore, satisfactory tattoos cannot cover more than 25% of the body.

Dependents

A single person cannot have any dependents. The Air Force has caught on to individuals who were signing their custody rights away on paper just to be eligible to join. This is frowned upon and if you do sign away custody you will now be required to sign a waiver stating that you did not do so to be eligible for enlistment.

A married person cannot have any more than two dependents. A spouse will not count as dependent if they have their own income.

Citizenship

You must be a United States Citizen or a resident alien. If you were not born in the United States you will be required to prove your status.

Law

Excessive violations of the law could disqualify you from entering the Air Force. Each situation is different and will be reviewed, but if you have had a high number of major law violations (misdemeanors and felonies) you could be disqualified from joining.

An excessive number of traffic violations within the previous one-year period could also impact your eligibility. Again, each situation is unique and your recruiter will be able to find out what your options are. Many violations would disqualify you from certain Air Force job titles, but not the entire Air Force.

Age

Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 27 to enlist. You must enter basic training before your 28th birthday.

Officer Training School applicants must be commissioned before their 35th birthday.

Some professions will have different age requirements.

Health

If you have any diseases or conditions that are life threatening or contagious they are probably going to disqualify you from service. However, not all conditions are disqualifying.

You must be in good physical condition. You will be physically trained at basic training but you will have to pass a physical prior to enlistment.

Education

You must possess a high school diploma. A GED could be accepted but this provides other requirements.

To qualify with a GED you must obtain a 65 score on your ASVAB. You may be placed on a waiting list for enlistment if you have a GED and meet the other requirements. If you have a GED and also have 15 or more semester hours of qualifying college credits you will be treated as though you have a high school diploma.

Vision

Your vision cannot be any worse than + or - 8.0 to join the Air Force. Some individual jobs have stricter vision limitations. You will undergo a vision test during your pre-entry physical.

ASVAB

You must score a 36 minimum on the ASVAB, or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Some jobs in the Air Force will require a higher score.

Weight and Height

The Air Force does have minimum and maximum weight and height restrictions. You can view that table by clicking here .

Basic Training Basic Military Training Physical Fitness Test

This is the final physical fitness test when graduating basic training in the Air Force. The test is sometimes referred to as the BMT or PFT.

Liberator - minimum graduation standard

Males must complete a 1.5 mile run in 11 minutes and 57 seconds or less. They must also complete 45 push ups and 50 sit ups in a timed test of one minute each.

Femalesmust complete a 1.5 mile run in 13 minutes and 56 seconds or less. They must also complete 50 sit ups and 27 push ups in a timed test of one minute each.

Thunderbolt - honor graduate standard

Males must complete a 1.5 mile run in 8 minutes and 55 seconds or less. They must also complete 62 push ups and 70 sit ups in a timed test of one minute each. For this honor standard males will also be required to complete 4 pull ups.

Females must complete a 1.5 mile run in 11 minutes and 33 seconds or less. They must also complete 60 sit ups and 37 push ups in a timed test of one minute each. For this honor standard females will also be required to complete 2 pull ups.

Warhawk - extraordinary - highest standard

Males must complete a 1.5 mile run in 8 minutes and 8 seconds or less. They must also complete 75 push ups and 80 sit ups in a timed test of one minute each. For this highest graduation standard males will also be required to complete 10 pull ups.

Females must complete a 1.5 mile run in 10 minutes and 55 seconds or less. They must also complete 75 sit ups and 40 push ups in a timed test of one minute each. For this highest graduation standard females will also be required to complete 5 pull ups.

sources:

http://www.airforce.com/