The News Feed
Want to know more? Get up to date with the latest stories about service members and how all six branches make a positive impact every day.
Hear from young service members about their decisions to join, the friendships they’ve forged, the skills they’ve developed, and their opportunities to make an impact in the Military.
Service Branches
Today's Air Force operates with a three-part vision: global vigilance, reach and power. This vision empowers a technologically advanced force that is focused on air, space and cyberspace superiority.
Serving in the Air Force
Kyle Yaffe: Air Force Weather Officer
To join the Air Force, you must be between 18 and 39 years old (17 with parental consent). While exceptions are sometimes made for candidates with GEDs or other high school equivalents, high school diplomas are preferred. As in most Service branches, the ASVAB test is used to match recruits with jobs. Officer candidates are required to take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT). Qualified college students wishing to train as officers should consider Air Force ROTC or the Air Force Academy.
All Air Force recruits spend eight and a half weeks in Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. During this time, trainees develop the discipline, confidence and skills to grow into Airmen.
The Air Force provides advanced, hands-on training for hundreds of careers. Pilots and flight crew are just the beginning. The Air Force relies on mechanics, electronics technicians, air traffic controllers, medical staff and other personnel to fulfill its objectives. Find out which full-time Air Force opportunities are right for you or get information about part-time service in the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard.
In addition to cutting-edge training in sought-after career fields, such as STEM, the Air Force also offers a range of resources that can help make education affordable, support military families, and more. We encourage you to speak with an Air Force recruiter to discover the specific benefits this service branch can provide.
The U.S. Military consists of six active-duty Service branches and their respective Guard and Reserve components. Together, they offer a broad variety of ways to serve.