AboutRod Powers Expertise Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.
Experience Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.
Education/Credentials Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
Question I just turned 30 and I am interested to be in the Airforce
I am currently attending a community college and I have complete 30 academic hours in criminal justice field so far but I would like to have a career in the Airforce what are my options? Is there any age of limit to enroll? should I finish my associate first? Thank you very much
Answer Hi Javier,
The maximum age for a non-prior service enlistment in the active duty Air Force is age 27. The maximum age for a non-prior service enlistment in the Air Force Reserves, or Air National Guard is age 34. For details, see my enlistment qualifications article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlstandards.htm.
The maximum commissioned officer age to join for the Air Force active duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard is age 34 (except for pilots/nav, which have a lower age). However, as the Air Force is currently "downsizing" (decreasing in size), the chances of getting an OTS (Officer Training School Slot) with a 4-year degree (required for officer commissions) in Law Enforcement is very, very, very, very, very, very small. These days, the vast majority of OTS slots go to candidates with "hard science" degrees, such as aerospace engineering, physics, chemistry, languages, electronics, engineering, etc. Even in those "hard sciences," it's very competitive. Most who are selected must have a bachelor's of science degree, with a college GPA of 3.4 or above.
For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Website at: http://usmilitary.about.com.
