Qualification Questions/FAQ

This page covers some of the major areas that people are typically disqualified for. There are many others, too many to list and will be determined once you complete a pre-qualification questionnaire for us

Height and Weight

The chart shown covers the minimum and maximum weight based on your height. If you are under weight, let your recruiter know as you may still qualify with Body Fat Measurement (BFM). If you are over max weight but are in good shape (common with weight lifters) let us know. For everyone else, your target weight is 10 pounds under max weight. We are not authorized to send anyone to MEPS who is within 5 pounds of max weight. The 10 pound under rule is based on experience and designed to maximize your ability to join. Also, you will be measured with your shoes off.

Marijuana

The Air Force now allows individuals to join even with past marijuana use. We no longer have a maximum use limit. However there are still some things to be aware of. First, if you have ever failed a drug test at MEPS, you are given only one drug retest regardless of the branch you took it for. Second, you can't go to MEPS if you have used it in the past 45 days. If you lie to us in order to speed things up and then fail your drug test at MEPS, you will delay your process by 90 days. Just wait the 45 days. The test we give is more accurate than your at home test so don't rely on that.

Open law violations

Technically speaking, if you have any open law violation including a speeding ticket, you are currently disqualified. Minor traffic tickets can be resolved quickly and easily so still start the process by completing a questionnaire but also work on getting it closed out at the same time. Major law issues, like a DUI or Possession of Marijuana/Drug Paraphernalia must be resolved before starting. Inform your recruiter about your law violations up front (it's part of our questionnaire) so we can let you know the way forward and if it's an issue or not.

Age and Education

The Air Force can enlist people ages 17-39. You can start at 17 if you are at least a high school junior (ask about the Softbook Program!) or any grade after. We can take high school graduates, GED (requires a higher ASVAB score), and those in college or with degrees. If you have enough college credits you may qualify for extra rank starting out. Officer applications must go through https://www.airforce.com/.

Tattoos

You cannot have tattoos on your head. For your chest, there can't be a visible tattoo if you wore an open collar shirt. For your hands, the only exception is two small tattoos, one being your ring finger, no more than 3/4" wide and the second cannot be more than 25% of the hand. You can also have one tattoo behind the ear but cannot be more than one inch in any direction. There are no waivers authorized for tattoos on these areas that don't meet the guidelines.

Dependents

Single parents will require a waiver to join and are going to need to have someone able to care for their kid(s) while away for basic training and tech school. Married individuals with more than 1 child will also need a dependency determination. For females, you cannot join until 6 months after you've given birth or a voluntary interruption of pregnancy. You are not required to give up custody in order to join and should contact us before you attempt to do so.

Special Tests

Some careers in the Air Force require you to take additional academic test to become qualified. Below are the list of the careers and if there is a study guide it will be linked.
Special Warfare Operations Cyber Warfare Operations
Computer Systems Programing
Technical Applications Specialists

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a specific job? We can only offer you jobs the Air Force is hiring for and needs so it does depend on what you are looking for. We cannot make a specific job become available based on what you want. We require you to list 10 specific jobs that the Air Force is hiring for. Once matched a job, that is your job. We don't just guarantee training, but the job itself.
How hard is it to get a medical job? Honestly pretty hard. In 2019 the Department of Defense began a process to decrease the military's medical forces by 25%. That was over 18,000 Air Force medical jobs. That being said, hope is not lost! You can go to school for free on active duty towards the degree of your choice! So you can work fast food and go in to debt for college, or join us and get that college free, with good pay and benefits, and you'll be trained in your backup career path. Sometimes your dream job isn't as great as you thought or the pay isn't what you hoped. The jobs we are primarily hiring for set you up for making very good money when you get out.
What is the best job? That depends completely on you! Everyone has different hobbies and interests. Some people would hate being stuck in a cubicle, others don't want to work outside. During the process, we are going to get to know you so we can help guide you on listing jobs that are the right fit for you.
How long are the enlistments? We have 4 and 6 year contracts.
What if I sign up and don't like it? That's on you. The people we put in are having a great time and many are looking to make it a career. That being said, 4 years means a guaranteed job. A guaranteed job with pay raises every January, plus your enlistment anniversary, and each time you get promoted. There are also options for switching from active duty to the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard halfway in to your enlistment if you'd rather go part time at that point (like if you got offered a high paying job).
Do I have to fly a plane? No. Less than 4% of the Air Force are pilots. Most of us stay on the ground supporting the flying, space, or cyber missions.
Would I have to jump out of a plane? Very, very few career fields have this option and those are volunteer only slots.
What is the main thing you look for in someone wanting to join? Attitude! Have a good attitude and open mind. Example, a young girl came in curious about Photojournalism. At the time we didn't have any openings. She was open minded and qualified for mechanical jobs and listed them as well. Today she is an F-16 Crew Chief (fighter mechanic) and following an incentive flight on one, wants to fly it. She is being put in for commissioning to become a pilot now. She has a great attitude.
Is it possible to get in faster? Yes! You can be put on our Quick Ship list to take a job leaving sooner. Sometimes people joining have issues. Maybe they broke their arm in a car accident a week or two before they went to BMT. In that case, we will have to find someone to take their contract and slot for BMT. Ask your recruiter for more info.
Can I go Guard or Reserve first then switch to active later if I like it? This is highly unlikely. From 2018 to 2021, the prior service program for the Air Force was decreased by 90%. In 2020 and 2021, we only accepted 50 prior service members each year across the whole nation. This year, 2024, we are only accepting 100 prior service members. All prior service slots are released on October 1st, and typically are all filled within 2 weeks. It's easy to go part time later, but nearly impossible to go active from part time.
Why is it so hard to go active Air Force from the Guard, Reserve, or other branches? Air Force retention rates are up significantly. This means more people are choosing to stay in longer than we expected. In order to keep that many people in and not exceed our congressional manning authorization, we have to decrease how many new people we bring in. If you wonder if you'll like it, just ask yourself, why are so many people choosing to stay in?

Those are the common questions we get. Hopefully this also shows that we don't sugar coat things or try to deceive you. Recruiters sometimes have a reputation that isn't exactly great. We strive to prove otherwise. You get hard truths in our office so you can make an informed decision. If you join with us, we're with you for the long haul. You can reach out anytime in your career for advice or assistance. Our success is tied to yours. Aim High, go Air Force!

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