4. Application
4.1. Overview. Application procedures vary slightly depending on the type of applicant. To submit an application to an AFRC UFT Selection Board, follow the guidance in the section below that best fits your status as civilian (Section 4.2), military (Section 4.3), or ROTC (Section 4.4). All applicants must work with an AFRC Officer Accessions Recruiter, unless the applicant is currently in the AFR. To locate your AFR recruiter, click here.
4.2. Civilian. Reference this section if you are not currently serving in the military, regardless of your service history. All civilian applicants must work with an AFRC Officer Accessions Recruiter. To locate your AFR recruiter, click here.
4.2.1. Verify your eligibility for commissioning and UFT. Refer to Section 2.
4.2.2. Take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT). Scheduling of the AFOQT is managed by Pearson Vue, and requires a voucher code which you will get from your recruiter. Follow the steps below to schedule the test.
- Create a free account on Pearson VUE.
- Send an email to your local AFR Officer Accessions Recruiter containing the following information: name (first/middle/last), social security number, highest level of education completed, last AFOQT date (if applicable), and requested AFOQT date. Your recruiter will submit a request for a voucher code, and will send it to you upon receipt.
- Log back into Pearson VUE and complete AFOQT registration and scheduling using the voucher code provided to you by your recruiter.
- Take the AFOQT and notify your recruiter when complete. Your recruiter will email you your scores.
4.2.3. Take the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS). Contact your local AFR Officer Accessions Recruiter to schedule the test.
4.2.4. Obtain sponsorship by an AFR flying unit. Refer to Section 3.
4.2.5. Create your application package. The application package must include the following items (click on the links to access the documents):
- UFT Board Application Cover Sheet
- AF Form 215 – Aircrew Training Candidate Data Summary. If sponsored, your AFRC sponsoring unit commander should complete Block 20 and your recruiter should complete Block 21. If unsponsored, Block 20 should be blank and your recruiter should complete Block 21.
- AFIMT 1288 – Application for Ready Reserve Assignment
- AFRC Unit Sponsorship Letter (if sponsored)
- Résumé (click here for recommended template)
- Front and back copy of FAA Private Pilot License (if applicable)
- Copy of last page of civilian flight logbook (if applicable)
- NAF/CC-endorsed Exception to Policy (ETP) memo (if applicable; see Section 2.5)
4.2.6. Submit your UFT Application Package via e-mail to [email protected]. The application deadline is the last day of the month prior to the UFT board to which you are applying. For example, if you are applying to the October UFT board, the application deadline is September 30th. Please direct specific questions or concerns to [email protected].
4.3. Military (non-ROTC). Reference this section if you are currently serving in the U.S. military (non-ROTC), regardless of status or branch. Unless you are currently in the AFR, all applicants must work with an AFRC Officer Accessions Recruiter. To locate your AFR recruiter, click here.
4.3.1. Verify your eligibility for commissioning and UFT. Refer to Section 2.
4.3.2. If you are not already an Air Force officer, take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT). Officers in other military branches must take the AFOQT in order to obtain a PCSM score (see Section 2.3.6). Scheduling of the AFOQT is managed by Pearson Vue, and requires a voucher code which you will get from your recruiter. Follow the steps below to schedule the test.
- Create a free account on Pearson VUE.
- Send an email to your local AFR Officer Accessions Recruiter containing the following information: name (first/middle/last), social security number, highest level of education completed, last AFOQT date (if applicable), and requested AFOQT date. Your recruiter will submit a request for a voucher code, and will send it to you upon receipt.
- Log back into Pearson VUE and complete AFOQT registration and scheduling using the voucher code provided to you by your recruiter.
- Take the AFOQT and notify your recruiter when complete. Your recruiter will email you your scores.
4.3.3. Take the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS). Contact your local AFR Officer Accessions Recruiter to schedule the test.
4.3.4. Obtain sponsorship by an AFR flying unit. Refer to Section 3.
4.3.5. If you are non-Air Force military pilot/aviator, you must undergo an Aeronautical Ratings Board (ARB). An ARB is required by AFMAN11-402 for all rated, prior-service (non-Air Force) officers and commissioned warrant officers. This review ensures prior-rated applicants were not disqualified from aviation service, were never involved in any aircraft accident or mishap (or provides statements on the incident), reviews your qualification history, and awards you the appropriate rating and establishes your Air Force aviation service date. In accordance with AFMAN11-402 paragraph 4.9.5., if an applicant has been in the military within eight years of the date of request, the applicant “may request waiver of the requirement to appear before an Aeronautical Rating Board. The applicant must submit documentation showing completion of training that is equivalent to USAF undergraduate flying training and satisfies all requirements.” This is referred to as an “ARB Waiver.” Please contact Kim Coley at HQ AFRC ([email protected]) to initiate the process.
4.3.6. Create your application package. The application package must include the following items (click on the links to access the documents):
- UFT Board Application Cover Sheet
- AF Form 215 – Aircrew Training Candidate Data Summary. If sponsored, your sponsoring unit commander should complete block 20, and your recruiter should complete block 21 (unless you’re already in the AFR, in which case you won’t have a recruiter). If unsponsored, Block 20 should be blank and your recruiter should complete Block 21 (unless you’re already in the AFR, in which case you won’t have a recruiter).
- AFIMT 1288 – Application for Ready Reserve Assignment
- AFRC Unit Sponsorship Letter (if sponsored)
- Résumé (click here for recommended template)
- Front and back copy of FAA Private Pilot License (if applicable)
- Copy of last page of civilian flight logbook (if applicable)
- NAF/CC-endorsed Exception to Policy (ETP) memo (if applicable; see Section 2.5)
- Copy of Air Force Fitness Test Score printout (if applicable)
4.3.7. Submit your UFT Application Package via e-mail to [email protected]. The application deadline is the last day of the month prior to the UFT board to which you are applying. For example, if you are applying to the October UFT board, the application deadline is September 30th. Please direct specific questions or concerns to [email protected].
4.4. ROTC. Reference this section if you are an Air Force ROTC cadet who has not yet been categorized and you are seeking to apply to the Air Force Reserve RCP-R program (see Section 8).
4.4.1. Verify your eligibility for UFT. Refer to Section 2.2.
4.4.2. Take the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS). Contact your detachment to schedule the test.
4.4.3. Request your conditional release from AFROTC. A Conditional Release (CR) is a cadet’s request to AFROTC/RR to apply for an AF program that they were not originally projected for. Cadre/Cadets will use the AFROTC CR document posted in AFROTC Desktop, located here: ROTC – Enterprise > AFROTC Desktop > F. Classification, Base, and Clearances > Files > Conditional Releases. Ensure you select RCP-R before entering information. The CR request should be routed as follows: Detachment > HQ AFROTC. CR requests should be submitted no later September 20th. Results will be posted in the same location after AFROTC addresses the requests. Conditional Release is required for all POC cadets and any GMC cadet on scholarship/contract.
4.4.4. Secure sponsorship by an AFR flying unit. Refer to Section 3. ROTC cadets may apply to RCP-R in an unsponsored status.
4.4.5. Create your application package. The application package must include the following items (click on the links to access the documents):
- UFT Board Application Cover Sheet
- ROTC Field Training Report
- Conditional Release approval
- AF Form 215 – Aircrew Training Candidate Data Summary. Your detachment commander should complete block 20. Block 21 should remain blank.
- AFIMT 1288 – Application for Ready Reserve Assignment
- AFRC Unit Sponsorship Letter (if sponsored)
- Résumé (click here for recommended template)
- Front and back copy of FAA Private Pilot License (if you have one)
- Copy of last page of civilian flight logbook (if you have general aviation flight time)
- NAF/CC-endorsed Exception to Policy (ETP) memo (if you require an ETP; see Section 2.5)
4.4.6. Submit your UFT Application Package via e-mail to [email protected]. DO NOT send your application using Google Confidential Mode! Use DoDSAFE if preferred, or email directly.
4.4.7. The AFRC RCP-R selection board convenes every October, and the application deadline is September 30th. To view the schedule of upcoming UFT boards, click here (ROTC cadets may only apply to an ROTC board). Please direct specific questions or concerns to [email protected]. If you are selected, you will be contacted by an AFR Officer Accessions Recruiter after the board results are released.