Graduating college with an Exercise Science degree with an estimated 3.4 GPA in 2027. I was a board member for my wrestling team at the university I attend (physically fit if you can infer) and have a colonel currently in the Air Force willing to write me a letter of recommendation.

I’m honestly open to any job suggestions or packet advice as I have a year to research everything that comes to OTS and commissioning in general. I’m not even considering pilot as I know my GPA isn’t anywhere near high enough nor is my experience.

AMA and I’ll try and give more info if needed

Hi everyone!

I’m hoping someone here can help me solve a bit of a mystery. My girlfriend graduated from the accelerated Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) Class 24-14 in July 2024. I’ve heard there was a commemorative/class wrist watch that graduates had the option to purchase, and I’d love to track one down as a surprise gift.

I’ve searched online but haven’t been able to find any information or even a photo of it.

Does anyone happen to:
Have a picture of the watch?
Remember what company made it?
Know if there are any extras still available or where I might be able to find one?

I’d appreciate any leads at all. I’m trying to keep this a surprise, so I don’t want to ask her directly.
Thanks in advance!

Edit: Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply, this was a huge help!

With the application process looking like it’s getting easier do we think the acceptance rate will increase? Or are they just trying to simplify the process?

I’m a 38F that will be close to 39 when I go to OTS (October). My run, pushups and sit ups are good. I have lifted weights for 10+ years but I’m concerned about agility. How can I prepare for any obstacle courses at OTS?

I understand the some requirements for the position but I have some other question such as

1. Does it matter what school you get your degree from for this position?
2. How difficult is it to become an officer? (especially if you are already enlisted as I am)
3. While the education is important, are there any other requirements to becoming an officer/AF physicist that might not be common knowledge?

Any other information about the process, career field or anything else that is important to know would be greatly appreciated.

I’m curious, has anyone ever “bombed” or did horribly on the AFOQT but did exceptionally well with everything else and get by? what was it like? what happened? how much weight does this little test really hold

Has anyone heard anything yet about selections for the officer board that’s supposed to release results by July 31?

I’m a civilian applicant, so I’m just curious if anyone has started hearing back or if we should expect to wait until right around July 31. The waiting game is brutal 😂

Hey everyone, I recently completed the 5-week abbreviated course OTS over a hot, humid, and very rainy summer month as an HPSP student and wanted to put together a quick guide with some things I wish I had known beforehand. The intended audience is all the direct commissions going to OTS. That said, a lot of this also applies to anyone becoming a line officer, so hopefully this helps!

Things to Do Before You Go

• Complete the travel request form as soon as they send it to you. I almost missed my original OTS class date because I didn't submit the form until about 1 month beforehand so get on it ASAP.
• BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE: it will make your OTS experience so much easier.
• Use your oath of office, go to a military base, and get a CAC before you get there. They took a long time to get us our CACs when we were there and it was nice to not have to think about it and stand at attention with my SPINS for hours waiting to take a picture.
• Make sure all required paperwork is completed and uploaded before arriving and read through ALL the documents they send you; they like doing things in particular ways.
• Print out and make a booklet version of the SPINS; you can do it for about 20$ at an Office Depot and you don't need to waterproof your pages since you can put everything in a Ziploc bag. They'll give you one when you get there but they'll ask to pull it out when you first get there during in-processing, and it's a helpful way to not get yelled at immediately.
• Make a booklet version of the Pre-Class Assignment; they will quiz you on it.
• Get comfortable with the 7 basic responses, greetings of the day, DFAC procedures, Dorm SOP. You don't need to memorize everything, but having familiarity helps.
• Break in your boots before you arrive if possible but bring a blister kit in case, I popped some gnarly blisters when I was there and it helped a lot.
• Get used to waking up early, they don't let you have coffee to avoid dehydration.

Things to Bring

You don't need to buy all clothing items before you get there since they give you plenty of time to buy it all. That said, buy the summer OCPs and all your name tags + patches once you get your CAC before you get there, they're AWESOME! Regarding Blues, it's a double-edged sword. You can get them beforehand, meaning you don't have to do all the tailoring and waiting for them to arrive 3 weeks later (AAFES is really slow), but then you will have to have them inspection-ready at all times during all the room inspections. If you get them there, you don't have to have them in your luggage and in your dorm closet for inspection, but AAFES requires you to pay more for "expedited processing" for tailoring. I probably spent around $500 on blues when I got there and didn't even wear the service coat or long sleeve, but that was the first time they've allowed an OTS class to not wear the service coat since it's been a pretty hot summer, so don't count on that. Also utilize your local airman's attic for things like PTGs, I saved a lot of money getting stuff from there since it's all free and you're allowed to shop there with a CAC.

Must-Haves

• Basically everything on the packing list that is required
• A BLACK camelback (they didn't like the camo ones for some reason)
• Comfortable running shoes
• Two pair of boots (mine got wet after I fell in water during one of the leadership events and the shoes didn't dry for a couple of days, so an extra will come in handy; my favorite boots are the Redhead RCT Warrior Ultra Mil-Spec Tactical Boots, which cost $100 per set with the military discount at Bass Pro Shop and they're really good for wide feet)
• Sports watch (helpful for waking up and to remember time for the greeting of the day if you have a watch, my coros pace 3 was really good but it did end up getting fried due to the sweat, heat, and humidity so keep that in mind if you really care about your sports watch)
• Lock for security drawer (never leave it unlocked)
• Copies of important documents (in manila or laminated folder)
• Ziploc bags (sandwich-sized, 2.5-gallon-sized): can be used to put shoes in when traveling, trash in dorms, toiletry stuff, put things like your SPINS in ziplock to avoid it getting wait when it rains.
• Fish-flops for showers (or any flops for that matter, but fish flops go hard fr)
• Small notebook (playing hangman with buddy next to you and doodling to avoid falling asleep in class since they get REALLY angry if you start dozing off in class and you 100% will)
• Mouthguard (a lot of people got RIC'd for not having them and we didn't even use them)
• Electrolytes (preferably one you like the flavor of; Propel is my favorite tasting but make sure you get one with more electrolytes than you need, they taste worse but they're way more beneficial, we had tons of people pass out from dehydration and lack of electrolytes)

Nice-to-Haves

• Sleeping bag liner (made bed one time)
• Poo Pouri
• Arm & Hammer Ball for your shoes and clothes
• 500 mL Nalgene water bottle (didn't drink from my camelback a single time, kinda risky tho. Also good to sip on to stay awake in class)
• Quality socks (merino wool socks)
• Airpods (or earplugs)
• Facemask (the airpod + facemask duo made it super easy to full asleep)
• Blousing straps
• Cough drop (Ricola Berry Medley, again you will get sick and sleepy)
• Toiletry bag (required for DORM)
• Gloves (holding airsoft guns, obstacle course, holding charge for prop and wings)

Things You Don't Need

• Waterproof notebooks
• CAC Reader
• Foldable fan (we got lucky that our building had the AC working over time 24/7, but not all the dorms are the same. Another building never had a working AC but they had hot water, we didn't have hot water for the first two weeks of OTS. I would bring one just in case, but it's not something I needed)
• Lint Roller (they're helpful but I never had to use one)

Things I Was Worried About That Didn't Matter

• Not knowing every rank before arriving (you'll use sir/ma'am for everyone)
• Having no prior military experience
• Being older than other trainees
• Forgetting a random item from the packing list
• The academic assessment
• Being bad at drill
• Getting a 100 on my PFA (you get the chance to do the Forged by the Sword challenge and the obstacle on your own if you get over a 95, but besides that it doesn't really matter unless you care about getting distinguished graduate or something like that)

You will figure things out very quickly.

What OTS Is Like as an HPSP Student

Honestly, OTS was much less stressful than I expected. It felt like a paid vacation (food was free and honestly not that bad; chicken was a little dry sometimes, but it's essentially an all-you-can-eat buffet that you have to eat in 10 min) where you just had to earn what you were being paid through LARPing (live action role play). Take it seriously but also have fun, OTS is really fun, especially if you have good people around you.

I will say though, I wouldn't consider the first 9 days as fun. They would yell, get in our face, and we had to stand around with our SPINS a lot! That said, the staff is full of incredible people, and they care a lot about your success, so don't make excuses, don't get confrontational, know your SPINS, and you'll get through Mod 1 no problem. Everything simmers down after the blue line ceremony, and you start doing classes with your instructors. The first week is the busiest because you're learning procedures, getting settled, and figuring out expectations. After that, most people find a routine.

If you're worried about leadership positions, it's not bad at all. Unless you get a high position like Squadron commander and above, then it sucks. Typically, the priors will be in leadership positions for Mod 1 then everyone else will get a shot. Of the 15 people in my flight, only one person was able to get away with never doing a leadership position, so you will do something no matter how hard you try to fly under the radar. I implore you to volunteer for these positions though, they're great practice and very low stakes. It's all stuff that will play a big role in your future career as an Air Force Officer.

Expect:

• Early mornings
• LOTS of briefings and classroom instruction
• Military customs and leadership training
• Group projects and teamwork
• Physical training (PT in the mornings was very easy, a lot of the time it was self-paced)
• Inspections

As an HPSP student, remember that everyone knows you're there to become a healthcare officer. You're not expected to be a future combat arms expert or professional at drill. The goal is to learn how to function as an Air Force officer and understand the organization you'll be serving in.

You realistically only need to do three things to pass OTS. Pass your PFA, pass the academic assessment, and don't do something completely stupid (follow instructions) like pointing your gun at someone during CADM . If you go into this in good physical shape, you're going to kill it. The academic assessment is honestly super easy if you just kind of study. They give you "cognitive SOBs" that are a great study guide to do well. I barely studied and passed with flying colors, and not a single person failed the assessment in our class.

Tips

1. Help your classmates. OTS is much easier when your flight works together. Don't leave anyone behind during any activity whatsoever.
2. Make the most of weekends; there's tons of free time and it's a good time to get sleep.
3. Don't take corrections personally.
4. Stay organized from day one.
5. Learn from prior-service members, they're an incredible resource.
6. Keep a sense of humor (at the right times though).
7. Remember that almost everyone feels overwhelmed during the first week.
8. Take pictures and enjoy the experience when you get the opportunity. It goes by faster than you think.
9. Use your OCP belt on your khakis when you're in-processing day 1 so you don't have to pack an extra belt you won't use.
10. For my religious friends, they give religious accommodations on Sundays from 8am-12pm to attend the service of your choosing and you have access to a Chaplain when you're there.
11. HYDRATE! It's really easy to pass out in that heat.

Overall, OTS ended up being one of the more memorable experiences of my career. If you're heading there as an HPSP student, show up prepared, stay flexible, work with your classmates, and you'll do just fine.

Feel free to ask questions (even things like which camelback did I buy or what specific things were like are all totally acceptable questions), and I'll do my best to answer them.

Hello all, thank you first and foremost for the help you guys provide on here each day. Please forgive the lengthy post as it provides context on the situation I need advice for. I haven’t found any post with this specific situation/question.

I’ve been able to take a lot of your OTS application advice and I am currently waiting on my commander interview scores to finalize my application package.
While doing so, I took off some AFSCs from my list that I absolutely would not want to get picked for because my recruiter told me that once I get soft booked I essentially cannot back out as it leaves a bad look and most officer recruitment offices would not want to work with me in the future. My current updated list goes:

13S Space Operations
13N Nuclear and Missile Operations
14N Intelligence
17S Cyber Effects Operations (whenever available - recruiter said slots for the job are currently not available)
17X Cyberspace Operations (whenever available - “ “ “)
130/Z Multi-domain Warfare Officer (whenever available - “ “ “)

Before finalizing the changes, my recruiter asked if I would want to add Space Force (92S) to the list somewhere. While I do recognize the opportunity, I let them know that I am a bit divided.
Space Force has a couple jobs I’d definitely want to do, and some of them are similar to what I’ve chosen for airforce:
- Astronautical Engineer
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Space Operations Officer (similar to available AFSC above)
- Cyberspace Effects Operations Officer (similar to currently unavailable AFSC above)
- Intelligence Officer (similar to available AFSC above)
- maybe Computer Systems Engineer

But there are others which I would be indifferent about such as:
- Electrical/Electronic Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer

And then there are these two that I definitely want to avoid
- Human Factors Engineer/Human Systems Integration
- Acquisition Manager

While I’ve eliminated the possibility of being assigned an AFSC like Acquisitions or Logistics that I wouldn’t like, joining Space Force with no ability to make a list within their jobs reintroduces that risk of getting the jobs above that i would not like and/or feel indifferent about, despite the branch being a great opportunity. But it also has the possibility of more technical jobs that I would like. That’s why I’m torn. My recruiter doesn’t know if there would be a breakdown of what scores to get at the academy to secure certain jobs by the end of tech, where they say the instructor assigns what job i finally get for Space Force. I’d REALLY appreciate insight from current AF and SF Officers.

Thank you!!

So they JUST pushed back 27OTS01. Right around the time that the board for 26OTS03 would have finished and picked names. The previous dates were that results would be released around Xmas and Rated OTS dates would be Aug27-Dec27. Now the release date is April 2027 and Rated start dates just say 2028.

It would seem to me that the Air Force, in their infinite wisdom and massive need for pilots, wouldn't want a large gap in training where theyre not pushing pilots through. So do you think this could mean they selected a large number of pilots for 26OTS03? And that is the reason 27OTS01 was pushed back so far?

Just a thought 🤔

Currently enlisted and I am close to completing my degree in IT Management from WGU. For those that don’t know, WGU is pass/fail and gives a baseline GPA of 3.0 for all passed courses. Given this, is it even worth applying with this low of a GPA?

I know it’s whole person concept, but I feel like it would just immediately lower my chances no matter AFOQT score or LORs. Any insight on this would be appreciated, TIA!

Please explain how I don’t want to go rated and get 90s on all the pilot sections of the AFOQT without studying for it at all!! But I get a 79 on verbal and 63 on Quantitative which I’ve been studying for… can I just swap some scores around? 😂

Hi all, posting for a redditless friend, this is what she said:

“I was recently selected for direct commission as an FNP. I was told I would be attending 8 weeks at OTS however, everything I’m reading says medical commissions attend a 5 week COT course. My recruiter said the 5 week course is only for a very few select careers. I would assume FNP falls under medical. Does anybody have experience with this or know? Is COT and OTS different training or the same? Just looking for clarification to prepare myself and family on time frames and housing.”

We've all been there. You're about to submit your package for OTS, but you want to know how you stack up. Should you relax? Should you throw it all away and start over?

Well, here's the place for you to ask strangers who have never sat on an OTS board what they think the board is going to think of your package. There are many variables to an 0TS package. If you want to get the best advice, you need to include as much information as possible, like degree information, GPA, AFOQT, PCSM (if applicable), leadership experience, relevant awards, etc. If you only provide your GPA or AFOQT scores, expect to be told "who knows."

There are a ton of variables that go into officer selection. Nobody here can really tell you your chances. We can guess, but that's about it. We've seen people with stellar scores get rejected and people with garbage scores get accepted. It all comes down to the needs of the Air Force and whatever the random colonel reviewing your package thinks. That being said, post your scores, help each other, and learn what you can do to improve package!

Just applied after talking to an enlistment recruiter. Filled out all my info in the Aim High app from the email I received. At the bottom it said that there is a Teams call every first and third Wednesday of the month. Got on it 5 minutes before it started and waited to be let in. 20 minutes later still not let in.

I wasn’t asked by a recruiter to join, it was just apart of the email. I figured the information session would be helpful but I don’t know why I couldn’t get in… any answers?