Prequal Standards

Height and Weight

Depending on how tall you are there is a minimum and maximum weight requirement. We are not authorized to send anyone to MEPS who is within 10 pounds of their max weight.

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, that is a permanent disqualification 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 be permanently disqualified. Just wait the 45 days. The test we give is more accurate than your at home test so don't rely on that. Past use will prevent you from doing a small number of jobs.

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 credit you may qualify for extra rank starting out. Officer applications must go through www.airforce.com.

Tattoos

You cannot have tattoos on your head, neck, or hands. For your chest, there can't be a visible tattoo if you wear an open collar shirt. For your hands, the only exception is a small tattoo on your ring finger, no more than 3/4" wide. There are no waivers authorized for tattoos on these areas that don't meet the guidelines I've listed here.

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 3 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.

Cryptologic Language Analyst

Cyber Warfare Operations

Computer Systems Programing

Technical Applications Specialists

What is MEPS?

MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) is part of the enlistment process where you will take your ASVAB (if you haven't already), and get your medical and physical evaluations done. Once complete you will then swear in to the Delayed Entry Program (DEP).

When will I go to MEPS?

You will be scheduled for MEPS by a recruiter once you have been pre-qualified, have a qualifying ASVAB, APT, or PiCAT score, and you are 100% certain that you want to enlist.

How do I prepare?

When you go to MEPS, you will need an overnight bag and follow the dress code listed below. No weapons are allowed including, guns, ammo, knives, tasers, and pepper spray. You will also need to bring a few documents listed as follows and must be original or certified copies:

• Government issued ID (such as a drivers license)

• Social security card

• Birth certificate

• Education document (high school diploma, GED, college transcripts) for high school graduates. Juniors and seniors do not need this if you haven't graduated yet.

Once you go, your recruiter will provide you a briefing the day before you process on what to expect.

MEPS Dress Code

UNAUTHORIZED CLOTHING:

• Flip-flops, sandals or open-toed shoes

• Plain white T-shirts or sleeveless shirts

• Tank tops, tube tops, halter tops, and excessively low cut blouses, and any clothing that exposes the midriff

• Shorts/skirts

• Excessively worn/torn clothing (Clothes with holes in them)

• Revealing or see-through clothing

• Yoga Pants

• Pants worn below the waist

• Military uniforms, to include ROTC uniforms. (Active Duty and Reservists will be allowed to wear clean PT uniforms and Youth Challenge is allowed to wear their uniform of the day.)

• Body piercing or earrings of any sort (males and females)

• Fingernail or toenail polish

The following items must be worn while at the MEPS:

• Closed toe shoes w/socks

• Underwear for males (Boxer, Boxer-briefs, Briefs).

• Underwear and bras for females. Sports bras, thongs, or see-through underwear are not authorized.

Congrats and welcome!

If you've made it this far then well done! Welcome to the Delayed Entry Program! Now we shift from getting you qualified, to keeping you that way, booking you a career, preparing you for basic training (BMT) and then shipping you off to start your Air Force life.

DEP Brief

You have some requirements while in the DEP.

• First, stay qualified! You now see how much goes in to getting tot his point, new law violations, medical issues, injuries, change in marital or dependency status, financial issues, and drug use can slow down or stop your enlistment process.

• Second, go to DEP Commanders Call based on the dates set by your recruiter. Your recruiter must put eyes on you, check that you're still qualified, see how you're doing, answer questions, inform you about Air Force life and benefits, and may conduct an activity to prepare you for BMT.

• Last, we need your help finding quality people to join the Air Force. While our team is great at finding people, you know who could benefit from what we offer and can assist in making sure we put the right people in. Don't send your lazy friends or co-workers, we want motivated people like you!

Aim High App

If you don't already have it, download the Aim High Air Force app. Make an account and let your recruiter know when complete so you can be connected to him or her in it.

DEP Commanders Call

Commanders calls are mandatory. We will be giving you information to help you be more successful in BMT and your career. We also make sure you remain qualified and may have some tasks for you such as updating jobs list or signing documents. You may also do a workout or practice what you've learned from the Aim High App.

Booking a contract

Typically contracts are booked monthly during a job draft done by our Squadron. Recruits joining in most of Georgia, northern Florida and parts of Alabama and South Carolina are all trying to get jobs off the same list. There are well over 300 people waiting at any given time and each recruiter has a priority for picking jobs (similar to fantasy football drafts) which rotates each month. Some jobs always go early such as administration and medical jobs. All in those categories can be taken before your recruiters first pick. If all the jobs you list are taken when it's time to book one for you, then you may not get a job that month. Higher level units in our chain of command can also book you a job automatically based on what you list and your availability list, make sure you are okay with every single job you list. Once booked, you cannot change it and refusing a contract will result in your immediate DEP discharge and you will not be allowed to join again. Talk to your recruiter for more info.