Selection Process

To compete for a pilot or navigator allocation you need to:

• Be enrolled full-time in a school offering Air Force ROTC and qualify for the program
• Meet all physical requirements
• Achieve qualifying scores on the Air Force Officer Qualifying TestA standardized test similar to the SAT and ACT that measures aptitudes, and is used to select applicants for officer commissioning programs or specific training programs. A required test for all cadets and students on scholarship or in the POC.
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average
• Receive a waiver for any civil involvement (for example, speeding tickets, minor infractions, etc.)
• Be commissioned prior to reaching your 29th birthday

Getting Started

If you are interested in becoming an Air Force pilot or navigator, start talking to your detachment admissions officerThe Air Force officer located at each detachment responsible for in-college and local area recruiting. (for college students) or Regional Director of Admissions (for high school students) as soon as possible. If you are medically qualified and desire a flying career, you must compete for pilot and/or navigator allocations about 15 months prior to graduation and commissioning.

Junior Year of Air Force ROTC

Fall Term – Make sure you talk to the detachmentThe Air Force ROTC unit at a host university. staff and let them know you are interested in flying. There are a number of tasks that you need to get accomplished to make sure that you are qualified to compete for a pilot or navigator slot.

• Have a completed physical, coordinated with Air Force ROTC, that establishes you are medically certified to be a pilot or navigator. This must be completed by November of your junior year.
• Take the AFOQT and achieve qualifying scores.
• Pilots need minimum Pilot and Navigator scores of 25 and 10, respectively
• Navigators need minimum Pilot and Navigator scores of 10 and 25, respectively
• Take the Basic Aptitude TestBAT - A computerized test battery, it is used as an aid in the selection of United States Air Force pilot candidates. (BAT)

Spring Term – The cutoff date for submitting updated information to your package is normally the second week of February.

Senior Year of Air Force ROTC

Once selected, Air Force ROTC pilot candidates have the opportunity to complete the Introductory Flight Training Program as an AFROTC cadet. This program consists of 50 hours of flying time culminating in earning a Private Pilot Certificate. You must finish this program prior to beginning Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.

Air Force ROTC navigator candidates have the opportunity to complete the Navigator Introductory Flight Training Program as an AFROTC cadet. This program consists of 20 hours of instruction covering basic navigation skills. You must finish this program prior to beginning Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training.

Specific duty assignments must be made prior to commissioning, based on the needs of the Air Force, individual qualifications and desires.