3.1.  Overview.  Sponsorship is the act of being “hired” by an AFR flying squadron.  Unlike active duty where an individual is assigned to a squadron and aircraft, the Air Force Reserve allows its members more control over where and what they fly—they just need to be sponsored by a unit that is flying the aircraft they want to fly in the location they you want to live.  Applicants should realize that the majority of AFR units are mobility/tanker units. Flying fighter aircraft in the AFR is possible, but these positions are more difficult to obtain due to the lower numbers available.

3.2.  How to Get Sponsored.  Individual AFR units control their own hiring processes internally. AFRC headquarters does not control individual unit hiring, nor does it track unit hiring timelines.  Each unit has different hiring needs and hire at different times throughout the year, often holding local hiring events at the unit.  These hiring events are often referred to as “boards.”  Applicants should not confuse these unit hiring boards with the formal AFR UFT board which selects candidates for UFT.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact units.  When it comes to getting sponsored, flexibility is necessary.  Applicants should not be surprised or disappointed if they are unable to secure sponsorship with their first choice unit. To pursue unit sponsorship, applicants should follow these steps:

3.2.1.  Determine which AFR aircraft and/or locations interest you.

3.2.2.  Create a free account on MilRecruiter.com, create your application and submit it to your preferred units.  MilRecruiter is not endorsed by the AFR, but many units use it to conduct sponsorship boards.

3.2.3.  For those AFR units not using MilRecruiter.com, reference the AFRC Unit Hiring POC List for unit contact information.

3.2.4.  Contact the units you would like to join. The individual units will notify you of any additional requirements necessary for sponsorship.

3.2.5.  Once you secure unit sponsorship, follow the guidance in section 3.3.

3.3.  What to Do Once Sponsored.  Once you are sponsored, obtain a signed AFR Sponsorship Letter (click here for template) from your sponsoring unit’s commander and follow the guidance below.

3.3.1.  Pre-Selection.  If you have not yet been selected on an AFRC UFT Board, email a copy of your signed AFR Sponsorship Letter to your AFR officer accessions recruiter. If you are already in the AFR and are not working with an AFR recruiter, include your signed AFR Sponsorship Letter in your UFT board application package and annotate your sponsorship status on the AFR UFT Board Application Cover Sheet. 

3.3.2.  Post-Selection.  Email a copy of your signed AFR Sponsorship Letter to AFRC/A3RB (Aircrew Management) at [email protected] and 340 FTG (UFT Pipeline Training Management) at [email protected].

3.4.  Command-Sponsored Program.  In order to fill UPT quotas, AFRC may periodically select unsponsored applicants via the Command-Sponsorship program.  Unsponsored applicants seeking Command-Sponsorship must meet the following requirements:  minimum PCSM score of 90, no exceptions to policy required, and willing to fly any AFRC tanker or transport aircraft at any AFRC location (candidates seeking to fly fighters, bombers, or special-mission aircraft must be sponsored). 

3.4.1.  ROTC.  Unsponsored ROTC cadets may apply for Command-Sponsorship via the AFR ROTC UFT Program (also known as RCP-R; see Section 8).  Sponsored cadets are given favorable consideration by the RCP-R selection board.

3.4.3.  Placement.  Command-Sponsored UFT selectees and students should continue to pursue sponsorship and work closely with their assigned AFRC Liaison Officer (LNO) once they arrive at their UFT base.  If a student is still not sponsored by an AFRC flying unit 60 days prior to UFT graduation, the student will be placed in an AFRC tanker or transport unit at the needs of the AFR.