Can You Go To The Air Force Academy After College?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you go to the Air Force Academy after college? If you are currently in college and still meet the age eligibility requirements for admission to the United States Air Force Academy,

you may still apply

. “I knew there'd be challenges, but that's part of the reason why I wanted to come here. The best thing about the Academy is the opportunities that come with it.”

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How do you get into the Air Force Academy after college?


You are required to receive a nomination from a nominating authority

in order to attend the Air Force Academy. The majority of cadets receive their nominations through Congress – either a State Senator or their local Congressional Representative.

What does your GPA have to be to get into Air Force Academy?

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1410 SAT or a 33 ACT. You should also have a

3.87 GPA or higher

. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

Can I transfer into Air Force Academy?


Transfer Application Requirements

This measures classroom performance based on GPA or high school rank in class. An above average college record may offset a poor high school record. Official Transcripts: Representatives from each department review transcripts of new cadets who have prior college credit.

How long do you have to serve if you go to the Air Force Academy?

Although the length of commitment depends on a cadet's career and other opportunities, including graduate or medical school, all graduates must serve

at least five years on active duty and three as inactive reserve after graduation

. Graduates who complete pilot training have a longer service commitment.

What rank will I be in the Air Force with a bachelor's degree?

After you enlist, you may work toward a college degree and strive to become an officer, if you wish. The top rank that can be earned for initial is

E-3

. You may earn an initial enlistment rank of E-1, E-2 or E-3 with 20 or more semester hours of credit from a degree-granting college or university.

Does the Air Force go to war?


The Air Force is the national military branch that will primarily conduct aerial warfare

, and it is the branch of a nation's armed services that will be responsible for aerial warfare, and they are just as important as other sectors like the army or navy.

What disqualifies you from joining the Air Force?


Criminal Record

The Air Force is strict about criminal records. Even an excessive number of traffic-related law violations within a 365-day period could disqualify your eligibility, but you should discuss any concerns with your recruiter.

How many cadets drop out of the Air Force Academy?

— The Class of 2019's attrition rate is

234 cadets

, or 19.7 percent.

What SAT score is required for the Air Force?

Students who score

below 620 Evidence-based reading and writing or below 580 math

on the SAT reasoning test and below 24 English/reading and 25 math/science on the ACT normally will not be competitive for an appointment directly into the Academy.

How much does it cost to go to Air Force Academy?

The U.S. Air Force Academy delivers a college experience that's not for everyone. But then again, you aren't everyone. An Academy education is valued at more than $416,000, yet we offer it at

no cost

to our cadets. All that is required in return is your commitment to serve as an officer in the Air and Space Forces.

Can I quit the Air Force Academy?


First-class cadets who complete the entire academic program and then resign or refuse to accept a commission may be ordered to active duty for four years as enlisted Airmen

.

Can you wear civilian clothes at the Air Force Academy?


Fourth-class (freshman) cadets may not wear civilian clothes on base or in the local area

. They may wear civilian clothes during leave periods, such as Thanksgiving and winter break and when authorized by the Commandant of Cadets. This authorization usually occurs during the spring semester.

Do you get paid in Air Force Academy?

What is the advance the cadets must take out when they come to the Academy?

Cadets earn approximately $1185.00 per month in basic pay

. This covers the majority of school related expenses. However, most expenses are incurred within the first eight months (uniforms, computer, textbooks, etc.)

Does the Air Force let you pick your job?

Jobs in the Air Force


Under the guaranteed aptitude program, the applicant is guaranteed that he will be selected for a job that falls into one of the designated aptitude areas

. The Air Force has divided all of their jobs into four aptitude areas: general, electronic, mechanical, and administrative.

How much do you make in the Air Force?

Salary Ranges for Us Air Forces

The salaries of Us Air Forces in the US range from

$10,447 to $213,724

, with a median salary of $38,809 . The middle 57% of Us Air Forces makes between $38,809 and $96,991, with the top 86% making $213,724.

Should I enlist in the Air Force with a college degree?

To join as an Air Force Officer,

at a minimum you must have a four-year college degree or be within 365 days of attaining your bachelor's degree when you apply

.

Is it worth joining the military after college?

The benefits of joining the military after college


A leadership role at a young age

. Higher pay than joining as an enlisted military member. Greater opportunities for promotion and training.

Who pays more army or Air Force?


The U.S. Air Force salary per month is the same as the U.S. Army

. Pay in each of the five American military services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard) is based on a combination of rank (pay grade) and time in service.

Does the Air Force use guns?


The M18 — a compact version of the M17 that came out of the Army's Modular Handgun System program — is the Air Force's first new service pistol in 35 years

. It replaces the M9, which airmen have wielded since 1985.

What happens after 4 years in the Air Force?

Years Benefit 4 years $1,785.00 6 years $1,785.00

Can you leave the Air Force after 4 years?

The document also revealed that

the contractual soldier will not be allowed to leave the service prior to the completion of the engagement period i.e. four years

. However, competent authority may permit the same in ‘exceptional cases'.

What tattoos are not allowed in the Air Force?

Unauthorized Tattoos and Brands


Tattoos or brands on the head, neck, face, scalp, and inside of the mouth

are still prohibited under the new Air Force tattoo regulations for enlisted servicemen and officers. Those in the Air Force are also not allowed to have any visible piercing while in uniform.

Does the Air Force have a weight requirement?


The minimum weight requirement is 91 lbs

. It's important to note that the Air Force requirements are contingent on your body mass index (BMI). This means that taller applicants will have a more generous weight allowance. If your BMI is more than 25, you are deemed “overweight” or “obese.”

How tall do you have to be to join the Air Force?

Be no less than 64 inches short, and

77 inches tall when standing

. Be 34 – 40 inches tall when sitting. Weigh no less than 160 lbs. and no more than 231 lbs.

Can you have tattoos in the Air Force Academy?


Tattoos, brands or body markings located on the hands, head, neck, face, tongue, lips, eyes and scalp are prohibited, except as may be permitted in AFI 36-2903

.

Who can be buried at the Air Force Academy?

It accepts burials for graduates of the Air Force Academy, along with personnel assigned to the Academy, USAF officers in the rank of Lieutenant General and above, recipients of the Air Force Cross or Medal of Honor, along with their spouses and dependent children. As of 2020 it hosts approximately 2,500 interments.

How much do Air Force Academy graduates make?

After the cadets graduate and begin their military obligations or careers, they will still benefit from a return on investment (ROI) from their education.

The average salary of an Air Force Academy graduate is $110,000; their early career salary is $77,800 and their mid-career salary is $146,500

.

Is Air Force Academy hard?

Does the Air Force look at ACT?


Air Force uses Score Choice for the ACT

, meaning they consider the highest total score of any test attempt. This differs from superscoring, a policy where colleges combine the best section scores from multiple test attempts. For more about Score Choice, read this article.

How much do Air Force pilots get paid?

Salary Ranges for Air Force Pilots

The salaries of Air Force Pilots in the US range from

$26,972 to $708,579

, with a median salary of $129,635 . The middle 57% of Air Force Pilots makes between $129,640 and $322,527, with the top 86% making $708,579.

How many people get accepted in the Air Force Academy?

Does the Air Force Academy recruit athletes?

A:

Approximately 40% of the cadet candidates attending each year are recruited athletes for any of the 27 NCAA Division I teams at USAFA

. The Preparatory School funds four teams (football, men's and women's basketball, wrestling) which compete against top-level Junior Colleges and Preparatory School.

Do you still get paid after leaving the Air Force?

In most cases,

Airmen and Guardians who have completed 20 years of active service are eligible to receive Retired Pay at the end of their career.

What happens if you fail basic training in the Air Force?

Yes. Although you're contractually obligated to complete boot camp, if you prove incompatible,

you can receive an administrative dismissal at any point during the basic training process

. As well as dismissal, trainees are also at risk of recycling.

Do you have to cut your hair in the Air Force Academy?


Women are not required to cut their hair as long as they are able to secure it in a manner that prevents it from falling in their faces, obstructing vision or touching their collars

. It must present a neat, professional appearance at all times.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.