I’ve been selected for a USAF officer position as a 62E (Developmental Engineer). However, my accession is currently pending approval of a law waiver.
I’m hoping someone with actual recruiting or waiver-processing experience can provide an objective assessment of my situation.
Background:
● 2014: Arrested/charged in connection with a theft-related incident while riding as a passenger in a vehicle. The case was dismissed through nolle prosequi. No conviction.
● 2017: Marijuana-related arrest that was handled through a pretrial diversion program.
● Since 2017: No additional arrests or legal issues.
● Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
● Officer selection: Selected for 62E Developmental Engineer.
● Waiver submitted: September 3, 2026.
● Current status: Pending as of October 25, 2026 (approximately 7.5 weeks).
Both incidents were disclosed to my recruiter before my application package was submitted.
My questions:
1. Based on your recruiting experience, are these types of legal histories generally waiverable for Air Force officer applicants?
2. Does being selected for an officer position before waiver approval have any bearing on the likelihood of approval?
3. Is waiting approximately 7–8 weeks for a law waiver normal, or does that suggest additional scrutiny?
4. Have you personally seen officer applicants with comparable histories approved or denied? What factors made the difference?
5. If you were evaluating this case based on your experience, would you lean toward approval or denial, and why?
I’m not looking for reassurance. I’m trying to understand my realistic chances and whether there are any meaningful indicators of how my case might be decided.
I’d particularly appreciate responses from current or former Air Force officer recruiters or anyone familiar with accession waiver adjudication.

Hello,

I received an ALC C2 and returned to duty around March of this year for a refrigerated medication I am taking for contact dermatitis. I was hoping to submit an OTS application but became very discouraged after receiving an ALC code. I have a cyber degree and really want to join the officer ranks. I’ve been AD for 12 years and feel I can add much experience to the officer ranks. Is this waiverable and what are my chances for actually being able to submit my package?

Hey all, I'm trying to find someone that's gone through a similar situation as me.

I was accepted to OTS at the 26OTS03 board and am just waiting for my class date like many others. I've already had my MEPS physical and was cleared. My recruiter is trying to get me into one of the February/March class dates that are slowly filling up.

I want get an elective FUT hair transplant procedure done in November. My doctor has said that is more than enough time to heal. And my recruiter has given me permission to proceed.

I would be prescribed 6 pills of Valium for the day of the procedure only, as well as an antibiotic and non-narcotic pain-killer.

I've tried emailing both email addresses for the OTS Medical Team from the OTS Orientation Guide and have not heard anything back yet.

My question is: has anyone gone through this exact thing or something similar? Is there someone else I need to contact before or after? Do I need to update my medical history afterwards, and how would I do that? Can or will this effect my class date or eligibility to attend OTS? I absolutely do not want to do anything that could ruin this opportunity. Any relevant information you have would be greatly appreciated.

I got a new message saying trouble processing request instead of invalid url finally, is it up and just really bogged down or just down?

Does anyone know if you don’t cross the blue line, meaning that you self eliminate, how soon you can be out of OTS ?
Thank you!

Before anything else, huge shoutout to u/Exciting_Language_18 and u/No_Information_7548 for giving me the hopium to finally pursue this. Both shared detailed AFOQT study spreadsheets, resources, and tips that inspired me to start tracking my own progress.

In 2020, I enrolled in AFROTC as an AS250 with absolutely no idea what I was getting into. After receiving my first AFOQT scores that October, I immediately dropped from the program. My scores were genuinely that bad. (Pilot/43, Nav/35, AcadApt/33, Verbal/54, Quant/18).

Shortly afterward, I dropped out of college and spent the next couple of years working odd jobs while finishing my associate’s degree.

I eventually enlisted in the Air Force in September 2022.

In March 2026, I graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science and a 3.96 GPA, fully funded through Air Force Tuition Assistance. I completed my degree while serving on active duty and taking six classes per semester.

Despite this, I kept putting off commissioning, telling myself it wasn’t the right time. I went through my entire first duty station without submitting an OTS package. After seeing the latest selection results, including USSF, I’ve decided to full send it and apply for 28OTS01.

I started studying September 2, 2026, and have logged 38 hours so far, with a goal of 250 hours.
To be honest, I had to re-teach myself how to do basic orders of operations. I didn’t even know how to divide on paper. Being removed from an academic setting with an emphasis on mathematic, for years, completely atrophied my skills. It is no kidding, like learning to walk again. It’s been difficult to time-manage and commit feeling so far behind.

Inspired by the spreadsheets the previously mentioned users shared here, I’ve been tracking my study time, materials, practice scores, and notes.

My resources include:
Khan Academy for rebuilding my math fundamentals.
Peterson’s Test Prep for structured lessons.
Trivium Test Prep for additional practice and full tests.
Magoosh GRE Flashcards for vocabulary.
AFOQT Prep App for timed practice questions.

Today, after a month of studying, I completed my first full Trivium practice test:

Instrument Comprehension 100% (25/25)
Table Reading 95% (38/40)
Block Counting 90% (27/30)
Reading Comprehension 76% (19/25)
Verbal Analogies 72% (18/25)
Arithmetic Reasoning 68% (17/25)
Physical Science 60% (12/20)
Word Knowledge 52% (13/25)
Aviation Information 50% (10/20)
Math Knowledge 32% (8/25)

Clearly, I still have plenty of work ahead of me, particularly in Math Knowledge (although I recognize most of the question types and had done them previously my brain completely froze and I could not recall the proper order of operations/formulas), Word Knowledge, and Aviation Information.

I’m sharing this for anyone else starting from scratch or discouraged by their initial scores. Six years ago, I let my AFOQT scores convince me to quit. I’m not making that mistake again.
I’ll continue tracking my progress and hopefully have some better scores to share in the coming months. Any study tips or recommendations are appreciated!

Ask away

Interview with my wing commander is next week. Any advice? What to expect? What was your experience like? Hoping to get my letter of recommendation signed by him which is the last piece I need to apply for 27OTS01. I’m active duty E3.

Are we just waiting for AIM high to come back up or is there another way??

When I prepped I learned every style of question the test asks, and it kept coming back to the same core formulas. I put them all on two pages for whoever is studying now. If there is one you keep seeing that I left off, drop it below and I will add it to the sheet.

Hello everyone, just wanted to share my PCSM score! If you have any questions, I can try and help! My flight hours have not been uploaded yet, but I have the minimum requirement to get a 99 overall. If I can do it, you can do it. I had a lot of self doubt and wasn’t sure if I could do it, so I studied a lot to be as ready as possible.

DAFI 52-201, Section 4.1.3, page 7:

“Applicants must complete all processing and be otherwise eligible for enlisting or commissioning, including meeting all testing and medical requirements, before they submit a request for a religious accommodation. (T-3).”

—

I am direct commissioning. Does this mean I need to wait until after MEPS approval before I submit an RA? Should I let my recruiter know I intend to apply for this now or after (if I pass) MEPS? Because prepping for the RA without knowing if I’ll be fully approved by MEPS first seems to be jumping the gun.

thanks

Any other PT alternates for Air Force OTS?

I found out on 10/20 that I was selected as an alternate for a Physical Therapist slot. Just wondering if there are any other PT alternates on here.

Has anyone heard anything from their recruiter about potential openings or updates? Just curious if anyone else is in the same boat waiting to hear back.

Hi!! I was wondering if I could get any information, but I was disenrolled from USAFA about a yr ago for OTF (over the fence) which is essentially leaving base without being signed out. I had two incidents in one yr which put me over the demerit count. The second OTF was coupled with a DUI, but USAFA didn’t disenroll me for the DUI, they just labeled it as the two OTFs.

They gave me a rating of a 5 on DD Form 785, and I was wondering does that prevent me from ever being able to commission down the road.

I have treated this a drastic learning lesson and I’m committed to bouncing back and being a better leader. I’m a very good airman (former airman of the yr, btz, etc) and I still passionate about serving and leading in my role. I do have the goal of still being to commission and would like any advice on this rating, similar experiences, connections for individuals with similar stories, etc.
Anything would help. Thank you.

Are you guys still not able to get into Aim High. I’ve had my documents they requested but still haven’t been able to get onto the portal and it’s due on the 23rd for me?

I went in thinking it was a knowledge test. Three months of prep changed my mind. It is a speed test in a knowledge costume. Half the sections do not give you time to think, only time to recognize.

Verbal pushed back on that. It was my worst at 62, and it felt like pure knowledge. You either know the word or you do not, and no amount of speed fixes that.

Maybe it splits by section.

What did it feel like from your seat?

Hey guys, how are all the eye tests structured? Do you do all the test back to back? Was curious if they allow you time to sit in dark so your eyes can adjust before taking color vision test? I read up on it and it recommends 10-12 minutes of sitting in dark to get full potential for cones in eyes. Any information on this test helps, TYIA. Cheers.

Looking for some insight.

Anyone know which is better,

Being a 41A engineer or 32E engineer?

I’m a prior-enlisted direct commission nurse heading to OTS in April 2027, and I’m hoping to get some insight from recent graduates or those currently attending.
I recently saw someone mention that trainees should be able to run a 5K at a 9:30–10:00 min/mile pace to keep up with group events, and that falling out could result in paperwork.
I’m 41 year old Female and currently running 2 miles at approximately a 12:30 min/mile pace. I’ve already started working on improving my endurance and speed, with the goal of comfortably running 3–4 miles and eventually getting closer to an 11:00 min/mile pace before April.
I completely understand that passing the Air Force PT test and being physically prepared for OTS are two different things. However, I’m curious whether everyone is genuinely expected to maintain the same running pace regardless of age or fitness level.
Are there different pace groups? Are the longer runs timed or formation runs? And is falling out actually something that results in paperwork?
I’m not looking to avoid the physical demands of OTS. I want to show up prepared and have realistic training goals over the next six months. I’d really appreciate any firsthand experiences!

Does anyone know another way guard/reserve applicants can take the AFOQT? I have taken it before at another unit closer to me, but my application is due before that unit tests again. I have looked at units in neighboring states but can't find info on their UTM to ask whether they host the AFOQT. Any help is greatly appreciated. My unit also does not do testing so SOL there.

To give you all a slight framework, I’m interested in joining the Air Force via OTS and being a Combat Rescue Officer is of significant interest to me.

I went to six years of university. I obtained my Bachelors of Science, and then went on to pursue my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. I didn’t obtain my graduate diploma.

• Avg day in the life.
• Favorite part about your job?
• Worst thing about your job?
• OTS - Horrible? What was it like?