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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Becoming an officer
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Question
I am currently in the Air Force and I have 9 years in. My question is for my wife who wants to join but is getting frustrated because she believes she is not good enough to be an officer. Currently she has a 4.0 GPA and set to graduate next year. I was wondering what she has to do to ensure she can make it into OTS and how hard it really is to get in. Is there anything she can do to stand out from the rest. She really wants to be an officer and I just want to set her up for success.
Its going to depend on what her degree is in. The needs of the air force will drive what they will accept. Now since the economy is the way it is, they may be more picky. She will just have to apply and see where she gets. IF she is turned down for an officer position for what ever the reason, then you may have to convince her to go enlisted do her 4 years, then apply to OTS. There is some benefits to doing that, one she is already in and they will take active duty long before they take out side applications and two, the AFOQT test is easier due to the fact that the scores rewuired for OTS are lower for active duty candidates and Three!! I forgot that the OE pay scale is more than just the O scale...so you might have her look into that as well as an added bonus for serving enlisted first.
Over all what her degree is in will determine what the Air Force will do and how flexible she is in doing what the Air Force needs.
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Answers by Expert:
Howard Lorenz
Expertise
I have spent the past 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 3 years was assigned as an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter. I have been deployed various times to several locations. If it is a career in the military you are looking for or thinking about I most likely have the answer. I still have contacts with in the recruiting field and if I don't know the answer then I have folks who do where I can find the answer. I am very blunt and straight forward and will make no attempts to BS you. I will give you the best information that I possible can can. If you think that you cant handle the answer that I give you, then don't ask the question...... If you are planning on joining the military, your number 1 decision factor in making this kind of move is that you need to be more concerned about serving your country than your country serving you!! All the benefits are the best that you can find. Education is at a premium right now and its the most rewarding thing that you can do. If I dont answer right away probably means that I am busy, but have patience, I will get to you.
Experience
Air Force Recruiter for 3 years, Air Force Career 21 Years
Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Education/Credentials
Community College of the Air Force, International Air Academy, Allied Business Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical College, Defense Acquisition University
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