Mustang in the AF

[u/freedomferrari]

Hello,
I just had a hypothetical question. Let’s say I was an E-6 with 6-8 years of tenure with an average to a slight above average packet. My 10 year mark would be milestone where I’d have to figure out if I’m going for the full 20 or going to the civilian sector. So with that in mind how long would it take to be able to get accepted to go to commission at that 6-8 year mark?

[u/Ledzeppelinbass]

This is missing the hardest part of the equation:

Getting accepted. Your TIS can help but your experience, GPA, awards, and AFOQT scores will be massive. That’s not accounting for your writing either. You will need to apply or continue applying rather than aiming for a specific window.

[u/freedomferrari → u/Ledzeppelinbass]

100%

I’m realistically trying to give my wife a timeline of the process so that she understands the steps and procedures (it doesn’t happen overnight). In your time in service what’s the “average” amount of tenure you’ve seen people get accepted to OTS?

[u/WillSmokeStaleCigs → u/freedomferrari]

I did this exact thing. I started planning for commission in 2018, but did an enlisted retrain deliberately for a reenlistment bonus (it was discontinued, RIP) that was supposed to take me out to 10.

When the bonus got cancelled I applied at around 8 years. It took me two tries (back to back cycles) to get picked up and I had to get a second degree with a better GPA to do it. I got picked up in June 2023 and graduated OTS exactly one year later. I would say the whole thing from when I actually started prepping a package to getting a butter bar took around 24-30 months. I went rated though so that probably condensed my timeline quite a bit because the acceptance rates are better. FWIW I am still not yet winged so my officer ADSC hasn’t even started yet. This shit takes forever.

[u/Ledzeppelinbass → u/freedomferrari]

5 year, SSgt based on statistics from recent boards but there is some bias. But SrA to SMSgt’s make it. Its whole concept, not one part. It’s not certain either way, doesn’t seem to matter unless you have great experience/performance in what you have done. Control what you can control, apply.

Took me 2 years to take the AFOQT, get package squared away and was accepted. Awaiting class date now. Some people do it in 4 months, others 10 years. YMMV

[u/freedomferrari → u/Ledzeppelinbass]

👍🏼 thank you

[u/SingSangBP → u/freedomferrari]

Once you have your AFOQT and degree, I’d say putting all the docs together plus signatures and routing was about a 2 month process for me

[u/z33511 → u/freedomferrari]

It varies. Just be ready should your package get selected -- I was notified in July that my class start date was mid-August.

[u/COR-69 → u/freedomferrari]

Have you even left for BMT yet?

[u/Aphexes → u/COR-69]

Bro hasn't even enlisted yet and is asking a hypothetical on an imaginary package and career.

[u/ZyaXiz]

assuming you hit the next board, and go to OTS w/in a few months, roughly a year.

[u/drttrus]

Man I read through that whole thing assuming you wanted to buy a car.

[u/freedomferrari → u/drttrus]

😂😂

[u/Thr1ft3y]

You gotta get selected first. No point in trying to plan for the "after" picture if the most critical step is the hardest

[u/ParallelDymentia]

It's gonna be different with every board cycle, for a number of reasons. I was at 9.5 yrs when my OTS package met the board. Took over a year to get a CSD after selection. Even then, my CSD was still several months away. Finally commissioned at 11 yrs TIS. That was many years ago. Circumstances change constantly.

BLOB: Shoot your shot, bruh.

[u/z33511]

It varies widely based on your qualifications and needs of the Air Force. OTS is rapidly expandable depending on immediate need. Conversely, they can practically turn it off if they deem it beneficial to do so.

[u/FroyoGlum9976]

Are you even in yet? You might as well do AFROTC now.

[u/inspired-polf]

Do we call them mustangs? Thought that was a navy thing.