Commission through AF OTS?

[Kol]

So I'm hearing this is pretty impossible these days, but if there is even a slight chance I'd like to give it a shot.

My GPA is low now (I failed Leviticus/Hebrews and Greek I, so it's at 2.5), but I've got a year and a half to raise it, which should be easy to do (I can get at least a 3.2 or so). I've taken my most difficult classes first, which were for my minor in Biblical studies. My B.A. will be in business administration.

I've yet to take the AFOQT but did very well on my ASVAB back in the day (8 years active). I'm quick at reading and communication, fair at math. I should have a high score.

I will have over 100 hours of volunteer service by the time I complete my bachelor's, and 200 hours of internship. I can get several very good recommendations, though not from anyone overly important.

The main problem is probably my age. I will be 33 when I complete my degree.

So if I test well and finish with a good GPA, is there then a chance? I don't really know what they are looking for or what else I could do to increase my chances. Advice?

 

[Rik]

The best thing you could do would be to try and get letters of recommendations from high level officers. I did a packet a few years back while I was enlisted active duty Army and I was able to get 2 letters of recommendation from General Officers (a 1 star and a 2 star). The AF recruiter explained to me that all the brown application packets have a cover sheet on them with a checklist to ensure all the documents are complete and included. On this checklist, there is a box for "General Officer Recommendation" and he said if this block is checked, your packet will go right to the top and you are practically guaranteed a slot.

Unfortunately, the Army screwed me by not getting me the last document I needed in time and the AF closed up the slots for the year about a week before my packet was due. The recruiter told me to wait a year and submit the packet as I was a lock for an OTS slot but I was already 31 at the time and I didn't want to be a 32, 33 year old butterbar so I ETS'd and got a job as a Dept. of the Army Civilian instead which I don't regret. My GPA was similar to yours (2.8) but it was the GO recommendations that put me over the top. I know it might be impossible but it's your best shot.

Good luck.

 

[AirForceTeacher]

I agree with Rik - letters of recommendation and an excellent essay will be necessary. Your GPA and major are going to be strikes against you - sorry, but that's the truth.

I teach at a tech school for newly commissioned officers, so I know we're still minting them, but the requirements are stiffer now.

However, the answer to every question you don't ask is always no. There are other entry methods to a commission. Medical Services Corps is an opportunity, and would actually mate well with a business management degree. However, to progress in the career field, you'll have to get a master's in public health. It's something to consider though.

PM me anytime - I went to AF OTS myself for my commission.

 

[fester30]

I just went through the process recently. Nowadays, there is no check-box for general officer recommendation. Your application does not go to the top for any certain letter of recommendation. Your letters of recommendation are there to give the Colonels evaluating you a snapshot of who you are by others' eyes. A military officer does not hurt for LOR, but make sure your letters are written by people who have a personal relationship with you. The Colonels are looking at what they call a total-person concept, and all areas need to be strong. The following is a snapshot of my application, to show just how hard it was in fall of '09.

I had a 3.0 GPA and a B.S. in social psychology. I had AFOQT scores of 98, 99, 98, 97, 94. I am active duty, so I had perfect, stellar performance records, as well as several impressive leadership awards. I had an awesome letter of recommendation, as well as a sparkling commander's interview. I didn't make it. Partly, I suspect, it was my GPA, but more importantly it was my degree. They only took one or two military enlisted out of the 48 they accepted with non-technical degrees. That year (fall 2009), they had ~1100 applicants, and took 112 people. When they do that, they definitely go for technical degrees. The reason is that you can always place a person with a technical degree in a non-technical job, but you cannot always place a person with a non-technical degree into a technical job. This gives the Air Force more flexibility when it comes to job selection.

With the economy still recovering, fewer officers will leave for civilian life when their contract is up, and more civilians will be trying to get into the Air Force with fewer civilian jobs available. I would say it's still going to be difficult for the next couple years to get into Air Force OTS.

Since you have a business administration degree, you might have better luck trying to get into the Air Force medical service corps. Talk to the recruiter about that possibility, because that's a separate board process, and is much easier to get into right now. You would be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, just as if you went through OTS, and would be in a job like hospital administration. Your degree allows you to apply for MSC. I do know the need for MSC officers is higher, because apparently there are jobs and money available in hospital administration in the civilian world, although I don't know much about that.