Air Force Recruiting Service Space Force Officer Training School Program Announcement (CAO 1 Oct 22). What is the Air Force Officer Training School (OTS)? : r/AirForceRecruits. OTS-A is responsible for developing medical, legal, and chaplain personnel into professional officers by instilling character, knowledge, and motivation essential to serve in the United States Air Force. The United States Air Force expects a lot from its commissioned officers which really isnt much different from other uniformed branches. From education to continued training, your Air Force path is here. OCS moved to the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center (now Lackland AFB), Texas, in 1944 and gained the additional mission of training officers directly from civilian status in September 1951. The majority of this MILCON project was completed in 2001 and all projects relating to the Maxwell AFB OTS campus were completed by 2004. OTS Welcome Guide has information covering arrival, orders, packing lists, and more. In addition to OTS, the Holm Center also has oversight responsibilities for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) pre-commissioning program on U.S. colleges and universities, the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) citizen development program in U.S. high schools, and the entire Civil Air Patrol, both its senior member program as the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary (focused on search and rescue and other emergency services and disaster support), and its aerospace education and citizen development cadet program (similar to the AFJROTC cadet program) via its HQ CAP-USAF activity. The goal is basically to make sure you can: wear a uniform speak and understand a little bit of Air Force lingo Each option has different requirements and advantages. OTS Welcome Guide has information covering arrival, orders, packing lists, and more. Our primary mission at OTS is to educate and train officers of character, who are committed to the Air Force Core Values - equipped to lead and ready to win. I look forward to returning your salute at the end of this rewarding experience as our newest Air Force officers. Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) is the starter program for aspiring USAF commissioned officers. The first and most popular method is to attend Air Force Officer Training School (OTS). First, youll need to complete the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, or AFOQT. The Air Force ROTC program rewards you with tuition assistance but is only applicable for students currently in college or thinking about attending. Regardless, youll receive the classification of Second Lieutenant (O-1) after completing Air Force OTS. If any portion of their prior service was in a reserve component and not served in an active duty status, then inactive duty reserve retirement points may be used to qualify for O-1E. [5][6] During these periods of contractions, OTS produces few officers, making selection for the OTS program particularly difficult and competitive for college graduates, especially those with no prior enlisted service, particularly USAF enlisted service.[6]. 3. Personnel and resources As you pack your bags and head towards Maxwell AFB, we want to encourage you to bring any religious items that may encourage your spiritual resiliency (i.g., faith books/devotionals, religious apparel, Eucharistic Mass kits, rosary, and/or prayer mats). The Air Force Officer Training School is small as it commissions fewer officers every year compared to the Air Force Academy and AFROTC. Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education, --Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, --USAF Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, --Air Force Enlisted Heritage Research Institute, Officer Accessions and Citizen Development, Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions & Citizen Development, --Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, --Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp, Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development, --Defense Financial Management & Comptroller School, --Force Support Professional Development School, USAF Center for Strategic Deterrence Studies, USAF Center for Strategic Leadership Communication, - ther Journal of Strategic Airpower & Spacepower, Revista Profesional de la Fuerza Area de EUA, Continente Americano, Revista Profissional da Fora Area dos EUA, Continente Americano, Journal of Military Conflict Transformation (JMCT), Air University Educational Support Services, Air University Learner Portal (CaC Required), Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC), Chief of Staff of the Air Force Leadership Library, Welcome to Air Force Officer Training School, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. It is also used for selection into specific training programs such as pilot and navigator training. This is where you officially become an Airman. Though the acceptance rate is not extremely low it does reject plenty of candidates. All religious materials must be secured with your personal belongings and placed out-of-site in order to preserve the religious freedom and respect of others. Throughout each week, youll be challenged mentally and physically while acquiring the skills and confidence needed to lead the men and women of the U.S. Air Force. Officers can be commissioned up to the rank of colonel (O-6) if they possess the level of experience necessary. OCS moved to Lackland AFB in the spring of 1944 and gained the additional mission of training officers directly from civilian status in September 1951. Interested applicants for OTS typically contact Air Force recruiters specializing in officer (versus enlisted) accessions. Welcome to Officer Training School! While you should celebrate your accomplish and enjoy Air Force OTS graduation, your work is often far from done. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps comprises 145 detachments with more than 1,100 associated cross-town universities, four regional headquarters and a higher headquarters staff located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Inbound trainees, ensure you view the 'Welcome Guide'. Officer Training School-Abbreviated (OTS-A) (formerly known as Commissioned Officer Training (COT)) is a five-week program primarily focused on terminal-degreed professionals (e.g., medical, lawyers, chaplains, as well as undergraduate degreed nurses) directly accessed into the USAF officer ranks. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Andy Yacenda, Defense Media Activity-San Antonio), Mission [4], The number of officers commissioned through OTS fluctuates considerably as their numbers are largely influenced by the number of graduating cadets through the USAF Academy and AFROTC, as well as being the first place the Air Force cuts when they have a surplus of cadets through the other two sources. The Air Force OTS program is divided into four distinct phases. Air Force OTS takes place at Maxwell Air Force Base. Inbound trainees, select the above link to view the 'Welcome Guide'. As of 2019, the class is an 8-week program and students are once again referred to as Officer Trainees. 2. Motto and honor code Welcome to Officer Training School! Our primary mission at OTS is to educate and train officers of character, who are committed to the Air Force Core Values - equipped to lead and ready to win. OTS is for four-year university and college graduates without prior military service (commonly known as non-prior service), as well as Active Component enlisted, Air Force Reserve enlisted, Air National Guard enlisted and former enlisted personnel from any of the six U.S. armed services with college degrees at the baccalaureate level or higher who wish to become Air Force officers. And on your final day, youll celebrate all of your hard work with your family, friends and fellow graduates during the graduation ceremony. Under this restructuring, OTS and AFROTC were placed under the leadership of individual USAF colonels (AFJROTC and CAP were also placed under individual USAF colonels), while general officer oversight for both OTS and AFROTC, representing three-quarters of Air Force officer production, was placed under one command, the AFOATS commander, a brigadier general.[14]. History Your email address will not be published. PENSACOLA NAVAL AIR STATION, Fla. -- Air Force aviator training took a huge step into the 21st century Wednesday, when the inaugural class of Combat Systems Officer students began training here with the 479th Flying Training Group. An Oath of Office and official graduation ceremony makes it official you are now a commissioned officer of the United States Air Force. Air Force Officers are leaders that receiving extensive training at OTS to prepare for the difficult assignment. USAF academics shift the focus to the following studies: The third phase of Air Force Officer Training School deals with the practical application from the lessons of the previous two phases. We are a community sharing information about the process of becoming an Officer in the United States Air Force. The U.S. Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. As the name implies, phase three of OTS incorporates practical application of the knowledge gained during the first two phases. Each committee reviews candidates to find the most appropriate selections for Air Force Officer Training School. The phase three training program includes: The emphasis in the classroom during phase three includes: The fourth and final stage of the Air Force Officer Training School helps officers make the transition from training to the operational USAF. Becoming an Air Force Officer improves your pay and benefits, but does require you to manage enlisted personnel and make a lot of tough decisions. If you are interested in a career as an Air Force officer and considering applying to OTS, contact your local Air Force recruiter via the Air Force recruiting web site www.airforce.com. Air Force officer training may be the most technically-oriented of any service. The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC, commonly pronounced JAY-rot-see) is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools and also in some middle schools across the United States and at US military bases across the world. OTS standards and expectations are very high and our training is intentionally rigorous because the Airmen who you will one day lead deserve no less than the finest officers our Air Force has to offer. When the Aviation Cadet (AvCad) Program proved insufficient to meet wartime commissioned officer requirements, the United States Army Air Forces established the Officer Candidate School (OCS) on 23 February 1942 at Miami Beach, Florida,[13] its mission being to train and commission members from the enlisted ranks. Colonel Keolani Bailey, former vice commandant for Officer Training School, took on his new role as its commandant during a change of command ceremony, April 21, 2022, on Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Active duty Air Force officers and enlisted personnel interested in becoming rated officers have until May 25, 2021 to apply for the Fall 2021 Rated Preparatory Program that is scheduled to be heldSept. 11-25, 2021. Most of these new officers attend follow-on training after OTS. The Air Forces Personnel Center will accept applications from active duty Line of the Air Force officers for the calendar year 2023 Officer Instructor & Recruiting Special Duty (OI&RSD) Nomination Board April 11 to May 14. At the beginning of a new class, OTS and OTS-A students live and train together in integrated flights. Officer Candidate School (OCS), known as Officer Training School (OTS) in the Air Force, is an officer program for recruits who have a four-year degree and did not do an ROTC program. Additionally there is a 13-day Reserve Commissioned Officer Training program for extremely difficult to recruit Reserve medical officers as determined by their respective functional managers. The nine-and-a-half-week program prepares potential commissioned officers of the Air Force to assume the responsibilities of an officer upon graduation. It's a rigorous program that lasts 9 1/2 weeks and gets divided into four phases of training. [17] AFROTC, which had previously conducted its summer Field Training (FT) program for their cadets between their sophomore and junior academic years at various air force bases around the United States, also consolidated its summer FT program at the OTS facilities at Maxwell AFB circa 2008. The program was originally created as part of the National Defense Act of 1916 and later expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization . Before you consider applying for Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) make sure you meet the minimum requirements: The USAF does have slightly different requirements for specialty military careers like healthcare, ministry, and legal. It was an experience that forever changed my perspective on the U.S. Air Force (USAF), and my role as a Hispanic officer and leader. Every Air Force journey is different, but no matter where your career takes you, every path begins with training. The length of training varies according to the specialty. Consequently, the Air Force expects officer recruits to abide by the moto and standard of personal conduct during their less than 10 weeks at Maxwell AFB. Military bearing includes the ability to write and verbally brief, lead the flight, and perform duties within the Cadet Wing. You will discover that this training is critical to hone and develop your leadership skills, as well as provide you with the necessary tools to be the best Air and Space Force officer you can be. 1. When you graduate from OTS you will leave Maxwell Air Force Base equipped with the right tools and the knowledge necessary to be an effective and professional leader in our Air Force. Course #MOTS-002 (5-week), Reserve Commissioned Officer If AFROTC is not a suitable program for you but you wish to still serve as an Officer, check the links below for alternate Air Force Officership programs. This is the story of one such U.S. Air Force Pilot as he describes what it's like to fly it and what makes this jet an air dominance fighter. Given this reality, OTS has often surpassed USAFA officer production during wartime periods such as during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and early 1970s or the Reagan defense buildup of the 1980s. However, a few months later, family tragedy struck twice, forcing her to leave the academy and delaying her dream of becoming an officer and pilot. Therefore, it is not easy to gain acceptance for Air Force OTS but is well worth the effort. For a short period during the build up of the Air Force to meet the demands of the Vietnam War, as many as three OTS Squadrons were based directly at Lackland AFB. Scheduling a MEPS examination is available through an Air Force recruiter. Technical training usually runs between four and 52 weeks and varies depending on which career field you pursue in the Air Force. The code is a standard of personal conduct for each student. The 908th Airlift Wing's Development and Training Flight has partnered with U.S. Air Force Officer Training School Military Training Instructors to prepare Airman for Basic Military Training. The final phase of Officer Training School prepares you to make the transition from training environments to the operational Air Force. During the spring and summer of 1993, OTS gradually relocated to Maxwell AFB, Alabama, the home of Air University, commencing operations in interim facilities on 25 September 1993. In 2018, AFROTC commissioned more than 1,800 second lieutenants into the U.S. Air Force. Required fields are marked *. You are about to embark on one of the most challenging and memorable training and education programs of your Air Force career. Related Article How To Get Into The Air Force Academy. The Air Force introduces basic combat skills and cross-cultural competence during phase two. Speaking with a local Air Force recruiter can help answer more questions about specific requirements for Officer Training School. The first few weeks of training are geared toward orienting the cadet with Air Force standards. Officer Candidate School (OCS) also known as Officer Training School (OTS) in the Air Force, or the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) in the United States Marine Corps prepares recruits for the challenges of officer life, from managing others to understanding military culture and law. Attachments may not display initially, but will when file is downloaded. HUNTSVILLE, Al. Gain the strengths and skills to grow in your field. The program also features an Air Expeditionary Force exercise, a capstone field leadership assessment event, during which students demonstrate their ability to integrate and apply the communication and leadership skills learned throughout the course. MISSION As part of another organizational restructuring of AU, AFOATS was later renamed the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accession and Citizen Development, while still retaining oversight of OTS, Air Force ROTC, Air Force Junior ROTC, and the Civil Air Patrol. However, a few months later, family tragedy struck twice, forcing her to leave the academy and delaying her dream of becoming an officer and pilot. The 23rd Training Squadron (23 TRS) provides a 23-training day Commissioned Officer Training course to instill leadership and officership skills in newly commissioned medical officers, judge advocates, and chaplains. If the combination of creditable active duty days and inactive duty points equals 1,460 (equivalent to exactly 4 years and 1 day of cumulative qualifying active and inactive duty), the pay grade O-1E is assigned, which is a significantly higher starting basic pay level than O-1, and remains higher until promoted to O-4.[12]. [3], During peacetime, OTS is usually the smallest commissioning source in the USAF, producing fewer officers per year than AFROTC and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). The test is used to select applicants for Air Force ROTC as well as Officer Training School (OTS). Without either one of these waivers, the trainee will be required to shave, immediately, until a waiver is obtained. Biography. For those entering the Air Force with a high school diploma or GED. Related Article Pros And Cons Of Joining The Air Force. Accession numbers fluctuate in response to variations between projected and actual U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force ROTC officer accessions and Air Force end-strength requirements. Good luck and I look forward to serving with you. After selection, and before entering POC, individuals must successfully complete a 24-day summer field-training exercise at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. The current acceptance rate for Air Force Officer Training School is 65%. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps: 334-953-9420 Officer Training School: 334-953-5222 Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development: 334-953-2864 Air Force Judge Advocate General's School: 334-953-2802 AFSNCO Academy: 334-416-2900 First Sergeant's Academy: 334-416-2900 Noncommissioned Officer Academy: 334-416-2900 The number of OTS graduates has varied over the years, from 323 the first year to a high of 7,894 officers in 1967.[14]. OTS Welcome Guide has information covering arrival, orders, packing lists, and more. The 908th Airlift Wing's Development and Training Flight has partnered with U.S. Air Force Officer Training School Military Training Instructors to prepare Airman for Basic Military Training. You are about to embark on one of the most challenging and memorable training and education programs of your Air Force career. You are about to embark on one of the most challenging and memorable training and education programs of your Air Force career. Those that graduate from Air Force Officer Training School get commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (O-1) the lowest USAF rank for officers. MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Early in the morning at Maxwell Air Force Base, reveille breaks the silence, kicking off a day full of challenges and new experiences for an Officer Training School trainee. 4. My Experience at Inter-American Squadron Officer School. Maxwell AFB is located in Montgomery, Alabama. Congratulations on your selection to attend the Officer Training School (OTS). How Long is Officer Training School - Air Force: 9.5 weeks. Colonel Keolani W. Bailey Related Article Army OCS Guide: Preparing For Army Officer Training. You are about to embark on one of the most challenging and memorable training and education programs of your Air Force career. -- A Space Force Junior ROTC unit in 'Rocket City USA' is the first unit of its kind to qualify for a national-level competition - Huntsville High School SFJROTC Unit AL-941 will be vying for the StellarXplorers National Space Design Competition championship April 21-23, 2023, in Houston. Congratulations on your selection to attend the Officer Training School (OTS). You can only take the Air Force Qualifying Test twice so make sure you study and prepare for the exam. https://velosteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Space-Force-Report.pdf, "Learn About Air Force Fitness Tests in Officer Training", "Military Downsizing: Balancing Accessions and Losses Is Key to Shaping the Future Force", "With the 65% Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) acceptance rate, does anyone have advice if I were to apply? To be accepted into the program, candidates must pass the Air Force Qualifying Test, a physical and mental screening exam, and a selection board. The mission of OTS is to educate and train officers of character who are committed to the Air Force core values - equipped to lead and ready to win. Non-prior service college graduates will enlist in the rank of Airman 1st Class (E-3) while prior service enlisted personnel will be enlisted in their current or highest prior pay grade. I had the incredible honor and privilege to attend Inter-American Squadron Officer School (ISOS) in the fall of 2020. All religious materials must be secured with your personal belongings and placed out-of-site in order to preserve the religious freedom and respect of others. In February 1997, in an effort to reduce duplication of effort and streamline administrative and reporting procedures within AU, AFROTC and OTS realigned under a newly created umbrella organization, Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools (AFOATS). Lectures, guided discussions, classroom exercises, field leadership exercises and after-hours training activities combine to provide graduates with an in-depth understanding of their roles as future commissioned officers in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Andy Yacenda, Defense Media Activity-San Antonio). Technical fields may include any ABET-accredited engineering degree or other fields in high demand by the Air Force. --Officer Training School Leadership & Professional Development Main Menu Academics Leadership & Professional Development Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development --Air Force Chaplain Corps College --Air Force First Sergeant Academy --Civilian Leadership Development School --Commanders School Secondly, prospective officers have the option of attending the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Learn more about the Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) in our complete guide to the program. Commandant, OTS Start with a fitness program such as the one found in our guide for preparing for military training. Attending the Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) is your first step toward becoming a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. But it's a much faster entry point to commissioning if you can qualify. If you have any questions, please contact the OTS Chaplain at 334-462-4412. Inbound trainees, ensure you view the 'Welcome Guide'. Colonel Keolani W. Bailey Our primary mission at OTS is to educate and train officers of character, who are committed to the Air Force Core Values - equipped to lead and ready to win. The United States Air Force separates enlisted personnel and officers into two different categories. Given its shorter lead time for officer production (currently 8.5 weeks versus the typically 4-year pre-commissioning process for USAFA and AFROTC cadets), OTS is the commissioning source used to balance out USAF officer manning as deemed necessary by the Air Force. Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) is the starter program for aspiring USAF commissioned officers. Course #MOTS-005 (8-week), Officer Training Abbreviated I look forward to returning your salute at the end of this rewarding experience as our newest Air Force officers. And on your final day, you'll celebrate all of your hard work with your family, friends and fellow graduates during the graduation ceremony. Air Force OTS is a nine-and-a-half-week course that develops future commissioned officers of the Air Force through an intense program based on academics, physical training, and personal and professional development. Attendance of OTS is limited to civilians and enlisted service members who have a four-year college degree. Basic Expeditionary Leadership Problem Solving (BELPS), Air Force Combatives Program (IE hand-to-hand combat), Preparation for the Arrival of the Lower Class, Professional and Unprofessional Relationships. I know it's a long shot, but anybody able to offer some insight on this training? The Air Force requires trainees to pass individual leadership evaluations at the end of phase three to continue to the final stage. OTS, which was formerly under ATC, and Air Force ROTC, which was formerly under AU, were then realigned under both AETC and AU. Selection for OTS is highly competitive, with selection rates varying dependent on the needs of the Air Force. However, by 2017, selection rates had increased to the 65% range or greater, reflecting the increased commissioned officer needs of the service.[9][10]. All Rights Reserved. You'll be provided with the shared common experience in military. The 23 TRS also conducts a 13-training day Reserve Commissioned Officer Orientation (RCOO) program for hard-to-recruit medical officers in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. OTS-A serves all Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard non-line officers (except for Reserve and Air National Guard health professionals as noted below) and judge advocates who did not previously serve as line officers in other career fields or who were not commissioned via USAFA or AFROTC. Congratulations on your selection to attend the Officer Training School (OTS). Although you will learn drill and spend your share . In 2015, I used the skills, knowledge, and work ethic I had acquired in the Air Force and became a State Certified Correctional Officer. The OTS motto is "Always with honor," reflected in the schools honor code: "We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education, --Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, --USAF Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, --Air Force Enlisted Heritage Research Institute, Officer Accessions and Citizen Development, Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions & Citizen Development, --Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, --Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp, Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development, --Defense Financial Management & Comptroller School, --Force Support Professional Development School, USAF Center for Strategic Deterrence Studies, USAF Center for Strategic Leadership Communication, - ther Journal of Strategic Airpower & Spacepower, Revista Profesional de la Fuerza Area de EUA, Continente Americano, Revista Profissional da Fora Area dos EUA, Continente Americano, Journal of Military Conflict Transformation (JMCT), Air University Educational Support Services, Air University Learner Portal (CaC Required), Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC), Chief of Staff of the Air Force Leadership Library, Welcome to Air Force Officer Training School, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil.