rated ocers
UNITED STATES
AIR FORCE
Digital Edition
At the heart of the Air Force is an elite group
of ofcers dedicated to accomplishing some of
the most challenging and demanding missions
in the world.
Known as rated ofcers, they are the Pilots,
Combat Systems Ofcers and Air Battle
Managers. Their jobs are to protect the
United States and its allies and to maintain
the superiority of the Air Force in its mission
to “y, ght and win in air, space and
cyberspace.”
To be a rated ofcer, you must have at least a
bachelor’s degree from an approved college
or university and successfully complete the
Air Force Ofcer Training School, or be a
graduate of the Air Force Academy or Air
Force ROTC.
ELITE
GROUP
ELITE
GROUP
PILOT
The Air Force has over 5,000 aircraft based
around the world and it requires extraordinary skill
and precision to y them. They include ghters,
bombers, cargo/transports, helicopters, tankers,
trainers, experimental aircraft and the most recent
addition — remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).
As the number one requested aircraft by ground
forces commanders, RPAs have quickly become
one of the most effective weapon systems in the
Air Force. From half way around the globe, pilots
can maneuver RPAs to attack enemy targets and
provide real-time intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance information to the warghter.
PILOT QUALIFICATIONS
An undergraduate degree specializing in
science, technology, engineering, arts and
mathematics is preferred.
• Begin pilot training by age 33.
• Successfully complete Air Force Specialized
Undergraduate Pilot Training (RPA pilots —
Undergraduate RPA Training).
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Meet physical and moral requirements.
(Due to the requirements of this career eld,
pilots incur a 10-year service commitment.)
Whichever aircraft you y in the Air Force,
you must have considerable physical stamina
and stay cool under pressure. You’ll receive
extensive training and be classied in one of
these specialties:
• Bomber Pilot
• Experimental Test Pilot
• Fighter Pilot
• Mobility Pilot
• Reconnaissance/Surveillance/Electronic
Warfare Pilot
• Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot
• Rescue Pilot
• Special Operations Pilot
• Trainer Pilot
As an ofcer, you’ll be relied upon for your
leadership expertise. You may lead aircrew, serve
as an instructor pilot and command operational
ying organizations.
COMBAT SYSTEMS OFFICER
As a Combat Systems Ofcer (CSO), your job
is to manage in-ight air operations. You’re the
tactical expert of your specic aircraft. Your
training and precision in high-tech navigation,
communications and weapon systems equipment
is vital to air defense against adversaries and for
the elimination of enemy targets.
You may serve as a Bomber, Fighter, Mobility,
Rescue, Reconnaissance/Surveillance/
Electronic Warfare, Special Operations, Trainer
or Experimental Test CSO. The number of CSOs
onboard your aircraft depends on its mission.
Aircraft include:
• AC-130E/H/W
• C-130H
• B-1
• B-52
• E-3
• E-8
• EC-130/J
(This list is not all inclusive and may change due
to the needs of the Air Force.)
Also, as an ofcer, you’ll be relied upon for your
leadership expertise. You may lead aircrew,
serve as a CSO instructor and command
operational ying organizations.
• F-15E
• KC-135
• U-28
• HC-130J
• RC-135S/U/V/W
CSO QUALIFICATIONS
An undergraduate degree specializing in
science, technology, engineering, arts and
mathematics is preferred.
• Begin CSO training by age 33.
• Successfully complete Air Force Specialized
Undergraduate CSO Training.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Meet physical and moral requirements.
(Due to the requirements of this career eld,
CSOs incur a six-year service commitment.)
Being an Air Force Ofcer has been
such a life-changing experience.
There aren’t really words to describe
the feeling that I get when I see
peoples’ reactions to nding out I’m
an ofcer. It’s part of what motivates
me to continue to grow and to be
the best at what I do.
- Second Lieutenant
Delarrion Milner
AIR BATTLE MANAGER
When planning and carrying out air combat
missions, the Air Force relies on Air Battle
Managers (ABMs) to be in constant communication
with commanders and ground forces ensuring
enemy targets are identied, disrupted or
destroyed.
ABMs are responsible for battle management and
command and control of the entire air operation,
including air defense and tactical missions. Their
knowledge of aircraft, weapons systems and
surveillance plays a critical role in the success of air
operations.
As an ABM, you may be assigned to:
• E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System
(AWACS) — provides early warning, surveillance,
battle management, weapons control functions
and combat identication.
• E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar
System (JSTARS) aircraft — delivers persistent
ground surveillance and communications
to provide real-time battle management to
conventional and non-conventional forces across
land, sea and air domains.
• Control and Reporting Center (CRC) — mobile,
ground-based command and control system that
operates independently or in combination with
other tactical command and control elements.
As an ofcer, you’ll be relied upon for your
leadership expertise. You may lead aircrew, serve
as an ABM instructor and command operational
ying organizations.
ABM QUALIFICATIONS
• An undergraduate degree specializing in
science, technology, engineering, arts and
mathematics is preferred.
• Begin ABM training by age 33.
• Successfully complete Air Force Undergraduate
ABM Training requirements.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Meet physical and moral requirements.
(Due to the requirements of this career eld, ABMs
incur a six-year service commitment.)
BENEFITS
The Air Force quality of life is hard to beat. As a rated
ofcer, you’ll enjoy:
• A guaranteed job with an excellent starting salary,
incentive pay, regular promotion eligibility and
potential to earn a near six-gure income.
• 30 days of vacation with pay each year.
• Comprehensive medical care for you and your
dependents.
• Tax-free food and housing allowances.
• Opportunities to live, work and travel worldwide.
• Generous retirement system with the Thrift
Savings Plan similar to a 401(k).
(The above benets are available to those serving
full time. Not all benets are available for part-time
service. See your recruiter for more details.)
OTS 21-009E is produced by Air Force Recruiting Service.
Information may have changed since publication.
Please check with your recruiter for updates.
FIND A RECRUITER
MULTIPLE WAYS TO SERVE
You can choose one of several paths that allows
you to serve your country either full-time or
part-time. No matter which path you select, you’ll
become a member of our global Air Force family.
For more information, contact a recruiter today.
AIM HIGH
AIRFORCE.COM
1-800-423-USAF
AFRESERVE.COM
1-800-257-1212
GOANG.COM
1-800-TO-GO-ANG