Table Of ContentE2O:
The Guided Path
from Enlisted to Officer
E2O: The Guided Path from Enlisted to Officer
As an enlisted Airman, the Air Force will provide you with opportunities to earn your degree and work your
way up the ladder to become an Air Force Officer. If you’re ready, the force will provide you with training
to further develop the skills you need to become a world-class leader. There are many paths to becoming
an officer varying from medical services to line officer to attending college at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
This document is compiled of those various programs that offer active duty enlisted Airmen the opportunity
to commission into the ranks of the officer corps. The information is current as of the 2017 application year,
and was pulled from multiple locations to include myPers and each program’s respective website.
Below is a brief description of each of the programs available to enlisted Airmen, followed by in depth
information for each program to include application processes, requirements and eligibility, and examples
of checklists and forms that accompany the application processes.
• The Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP) offers active-duty Airmen the
opportunity to earn a commission while completing their bachelor’s degree as an Air Force ROTC cadet.
Selected Airmen separate from active-duty Air Force, join ROTC at a participating college and become a
full-time student.
• Professional Officer Course — Early Release Program (POC-ERP) offers active-duty Airmen an
opportunity for early release from active-duty Air Force to enter the AFR Officer Training Corps (ROTC).
• Scholarships for Outstanding Airman to ROTC (SOAR) offers active duty enlisted personnel the
opportunity to earn a commission if they complete all bachelor degree and commissioning requirements
in 2 to 4 years as an Air Force ROTC cadet.
• Officer Training School (OTS) - Line officer training is conducted by Detachment 12 and the 24th
Training Squadron at Officer Training School (OTS) Maxwell AFB, AL. Line Officers consist of
those career fields not directly commissioned into the USAF.
• United States Air Force Academy/Prep School (LEAD) - The United States Air Force Academy wants
individuals of high moral character to further develop into future leaders of the Air Force and our
nation. If you have questions about the application process or about the Academy, please contact
your local Admissions Liaison Officer.
• The Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) offers active-duty Airmen the opportunity to earn
a bachelor of nursing degree, an in-demand career in the Air Force. NECP allows Airmen to remain on
active duty and continue to receive an income while attending school full time.
• Direct Enlisted Commissioning Program (DEC) offers active duty enlisted personnel who have a
conferred baccalaureate in nursing degree, and passed the National Council of State Boards of Nursing
licensure examination (NCLEX), an opportunity to commission into the nurse Corps.
• The Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) offers qualified individuals the advanced training
they need to provide expert medical care to military personnel and their families. Only active-duty
Airmen are eligible to apply for this program.
• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) - The mission of the USUHS is to
educate, train, and comprehensively prepare uniformed services health professionals, scientists,
and leaders to support the Military and Public Health Systems, the National Security and National
Defense Strategies of the United States, and the readiness of our Uniformed Services.
• Medical Services Corps (MSC) - The Accession Board selects qualified applicants from military and
civilian sources for commissioning in the USAF. Board members determine the applicant’s
potential to serve as a military officer and healthcare professional using the “whole-person concept,” in
addition to demonstrated performance, and leadership qualities.
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E2O Table of Contents
Air Force ROTC Programs:………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Airman Scholarship & Comissioning Program (ASCP)………………………………………………... 5
Professional Officer Course - Early Release Program (POC-ERP)…………………………………….. 8
Scholarships for Outstanding Airman for ROTC (SOAR)…………………………………………….... 11
Officer Training School (OTS)……………………………………………………………………………… 15
U.S. Air Force Academy & Prep School (LEAD)…………………………………………………………... 18
Nurse Education Commissioning Program (NECP)………………………………………………………… 20
Direct Enlisted Commission Program (DEC)………………………………………………………….......... 24
Medical Services Corps (MSC)…………………………………………………………............................... 28
Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP)………………………………………………………….... 32
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)………………………………………….. 36
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Commission 101 Overview…………………………………………………………....... 41
Attachment 2: AFROTC ECP Checklist…………………………………………………………............ 42
Attachment 3: AFROTC Form 48…………………………………………………………………......... 44
Attachment 4: AF Form 1206………………………………………………………………………….... 49
Attachment 5: AF Form 56…………………………………………………………………………........ 50
Attachment 6: TFOT Package Guide…………………………………………………………………..... 57
Attachment 7: AF Form 1786…………………………………………………………………………..... 116
Attachment 8: NECP Checklist………………………………………………………………………….. 117
Attachment 9: DEC Checklist………………………………………………………………………….... 119
Attachment 10: E2MDP Checklist…………………………………………………………………....... 122
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AFROTC
Commissioning Programs:
ASCP, POC-ERP, SOAR
AFROTC: Airman Scholarship & Commissioning Program (ASCP)
Airman Scholarship & Commissioning Program (ASCP)
ASCP offers active duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission who can complete all bachelor
degree and commissioning requirements in 2 to 4 years as an Air Force ROTC cadet. Applicants must have at least
24 hours of graded college course work with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and have a minimum ACT composite
score of 25 or an SAT combined Reading and Math score of 1180 or an AFOQT Academic Aptitude score of 55.
Applicants are not authorized to pursue a second bachelors or graduate degree. Degree plans should be in full
year increments (ex., 2, 3, 4 year academic plan). If approved, any degree plan that requires an extra semester
(ex., 2.5, 3.5 year academic plans) will not receive scholarship entitlements unless they are in a Secretary of the
Air Force approved 5-year major (Ref: AFROTCI 36-2011 4.28. – 4.28.1.3., and Attachment 8). Any summer
courses taken will not be authorized entitlements unless it is a mandatory course required for the degree and the
course is only offered in the summer.
Note: Applicants within 1 year of completing their bachelors degree, with a bachelors degree or desiring to earn
graduate degrees may not participate in this program. They should seek commissioning through OTS.
Those selected separate from the active duty Air Force, join an AFROTC detachment and become a full-time
college student. The Air Force provides them with a tuition/fees scholarship of up to $18,000 per year, an
annual textbook allowance, and a monthly nontaxable stipend. This scholarship will be awarded for 2 to 4 years,
depending on how many years you have remaining in your bachelors degree program. Upon graduation and
completion of the program, you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant and will then be returned to active
duty with a military obligation of 4 years active and 4 years reserves. After graduation/commissioning as a new
second lieutenant you may be required to wait up to 365 days to enter active duty.
Note: Applicants selected are not guaranteed enrollment allocations to enter the Professional Officer Course
(POC). All AFROTC cadets compete against their peers for enrollment allocations.
Note: Technical majors must be ABET approved at the university the applicant plans to attend and are limited to
a maximum of 4 years.
Nursing: Degrees must be accredited by the National League of Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate
Nursing Education. (Failure to pass the NCLEX may result in commissioning as a general officer).
Application Process
• HQ AFROTC Enlisted Commissioning Program Application Checklist, signed by the applicant
acknowledging all checklist items have been complied with. (have packages in the same order of the
checklist)
• AFOQT Scores. Must be from the AFPC website (see page for your respective program for minimum
requirements).
• SAT or ACT (If applicable).
• CCAF Transcript
• Transcripts from all colleges attended (does not need to be official).
• AF Form 56 (check E-Publishing website for the latest version)
• AMS SURF
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AFROTC: Airman Scholarship & Commissioning Program (ASCP)
• Enlisted Performance Reports (All reports must be provided and obtained via PRDA).
• Current Physical Fitness Assessment. (Must be from Air Force Fitness Management website).
• Academic Status Letter listing whether college courses are currently being taken.
AFROTC Form 48 signed by Detachment and University Officials.
The documents should be in PDF format ONLY (Not in portfolio). They should be in the following order mirroring
the example below (please ensure all scanned documents are legible):
1.ECP Checklist
2.AF Form 56
3.AFOQT Scores
4.AF Fitness Report
5.AFROTC Form 48
6.CCAF Transcript
6a. Other Transcript(s)
7.Acadenic Status Letter
8.EPRs (Newest to Oldest)
9.AMS SURF
10.AF Form 1206 (SOAR Only)
11.Waivers (If Applicable)
Email all application documents to our organizational box at: [email protected]. In the subject line include
first and last name, fiscal year, and program. Ensure you encrypt the email.
Example
To: [email protected]
Subject: John Doe FY 17 ASCP/SOAR/POC-ERP Application
Eligibility Requirements
Note: Not all requirements are listed. For a complete list ref: AFI 36-2013 AFROTCI 36-2011, AFI 36-2002 and
AFI 36-2005.
• Be a United States citizen.
• Meet the Age requirements.
• IAW Title 10 U.S.C., Section 2107, Financial Assistance Program for Specially Selected Members,
applicants who apply for ASCP must be under age 31 on December 31 of their graduation year to
earn a commission (NOT WAIVERABLE).
• Have at least 1 year Time-In-Service (Waiverable).
• Have at least 1 year Time-On-Station at board convening date (Board is held in January) (Waiverable).
• Have served at least half of an overseas tour 1 month prior to class start date (Waiverable).
• Overseas Long Tour. Has not applied before the 25th day of the 8th month before DEROS (Waiverable).
• Be recommended by your immediate commander on the AF Form 56.
• Must be able to complete their degree in 2 to 4 years and be considered a full-time student by the
university.
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AFROTC: Airman Scholarship & Commissioning Program (ASCP)
• Have at least 24 hours of graded college course work towards your degree with at least a 3.0
cumulative GPA.
• Have a minimum ACT composite score of 25 or an SAT combined Reading and Math score of 1180 or
an AFOQT Academic Aptitude score of 55.
• Must have at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of math or physical science, or 4 semesters or
6 quarters of the same foreign language maintaining at least a C- in each course upon graduation.
Note: Degree plans that require an extra semester (ex., 2.5, 3.5 year academic plans) will not receive scholarship
entitlements unless they are in a Secretary of the Air Force approved 5 year major.
• Be admitted to a school offering AFROTC (including cross-town schools) in the academic major you
desire to study.
• Earn Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) scores of 15 or more on the Verbal scale and 10 or
more on the Quantitative scale. Note: AFOQT scores may be waiverable for those who have taken the
test twice and failed both times. Note that waivers are not guaranteed.
• Pass all components of the Air Force Physical Fitness Test.
• Must not be selected for reassignment prior to application submission date.
• Must be medically qualified for continued enlistment, commissioning, and cleared for worldwide duty.
• Must not be PRP decertified or disqualified (Waiverable).
• Must not have any restrictions (AAC, ALC, O, UIF, etc) other than an AAC code 5 (Waiverable).
• Must not have an IEB/SRB within the present enlistment (Waiverable).
• Meet retainability requirement. The earliest selects will be authorized to separate is 30 days prior to
class start date. If the applicant does not meet this requirement, they must request an extension
through their normal base channels.
• Meet all the requirements for commissioning (physical, moral, fitness, etc.) listed in AFI 36-2013,
AFROTCI 36-2011, AFI 36-2002 and AFI 36-2005.
Note: Waivers are not guaranteed. Waiver requests must reach HQ AFROTC/RRUE NET 1 July and NLT 1
August each year.
How will you afford this program?
If selected, you will separate from the Air Force. You will no longer be collecting military pay and benefits
and will be living on the civilian economy like any other college student.
AFROTC Enlisted Commissioning Program Website
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AFROTC: Professional Officers Course - Early Release Program (POC-ERP)
Professional Officers Course Early Release Program (POC-ERP)
POC-ERP offers active duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission who can complete all
bachelor degree and commissioning requirements in 2 years as an AFROTC cadet. Applicants are not authorized
to pursue a second bachelors or graduate degree.
Note: Applicants within one year of completing their bachelor’s degree, with a bachelor’s degree or desiring to
earn graduate degrees may not participate in this program. They should seek commissioning through OTS.
Those selected separate from the active duty Air Force, join an AFROTC detachment and become a full-time
college student. The Air Force provides them a monthly nontaxable stipend. Upon graduation and completion
of the program, you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant and will then be returned to active duty with a
military obligation of 4 years active and 4 years reserves.
Application Process
A selection board is held once a year. The board utilizes the “whole person” concept to evaluate applicants. As
part of the board process, applicants will be evaluated on their ability to put their package together in the proper
format in accordance with the ECP Package Checklist and directions on this site. It is the applicant’s responsibility
to ensure that the package is complete.
While the board considers all documents in an application package, they typically focus on the applicant’s academic
performance, the commander’s recommendation, and the airman’s duty performance history to determine the
applicant’s eligibility.
Airmen selected will receive instructions and be required to complete additional post selection actions. Once all
actions have been completed they will be authorized to separate no earlier than 10 days prior to their class start
date the following fall term.
ALL waiver requests are due to HQ AFROTC/RRUE NET 1 July and NLT 1 August each year. Application
packages must reach HQ AFROTC/RRUE NET 1 September and NLT 15 October each year. Late packages or
late waiver requests will not be accepted.
Note: The applicant is ultimately responsible for the completeness and accuracy of their package. The Base
Education Center may assist the member in an advisory capacity ONLY.
What are your chances?
POC-ERP BOARD SELECTION PERCENTAGE
FY 13 43%
FY 14 33%
FY 15 29%
FY 16 36%
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AFROTC: Professional Officers Course - Early Release Program (POC-ERP)
• HQ AFROTC Enlisted Commissioning Program Application Checklist, signed by the applicant
acknowledging all checklist items have been complied with. (have packages in the same order of the
checklist)
• AF Form 1206 (check E-Publishing website for the latest version) Nomination for Award. Must be
completed by supervisor with comments in the following areas. (There is no minimum number ofbullets,
should be different than EPR’s, and are for entire AF career): (SOAR ONLY)
• LEADERSHIP AND JOB PERFORMANCE IN PRIMARY DUTY
• SIGNIFICANT SELF-IMPROVEMENT
• LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
• AIR FORCE OR CIVILIAN AWARDS, PRIZES, TITLES
• OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• AFOQT Scores. Must be from the AFPC website (see page for your respective program for minimum
requirements).
• SAT or ACT (If applicable).
• CCAF Transcript
• Transcripts from all colleges attended (does not need to be official).
• AF Form 56 (check E-Publishing website for the latest version)
• AMS SURF
• Enlisted Performance Reports (All reports must be provided and obtained via PRDA).
• Current Physical Fitness Assessment. (Must be from Air Force Fitness Management website).
• Academic Status Letter listing whether college courses are currently being taken.
• AFROTC Form 48 signed by Detachment and University Officials.
The documents should be in PDF format ONLY (Not in portfolio). They should be in the following order mirroring
the example below (please ensure all scanned documents are legible):
1.ECP Checklist
2.AF Form 56
3.AFOQT Scores
4.AF Fitness Report
5.AFROTC Form 48
6.CCAF Transcript
6a. Other Transcript(s)
7.Acadenic Status Letter
8.EPRs (Newest to Oldest)
9.AMS SURF
10.AF Form 1206 (SOAR Only)
11.Waivers (If Applicable)
Email all application documents to our organizational box at: [email protected]. In the subject line include
first and last name, fiscal year, and program. Ensure you encrypt the email.
Example
To: [email protected]
Subject: John Doe FY 17 ASCP/SOAR/POC-ERP Application
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AFROTC: Professional Officers Course - Early Release Program (POC-ERP)
Eligibility Requirements
Note: Not all requirements are listed. For a complete list ref: AFI 36-2013 AFROTCI 36-2011, AFI 36-2002 and
AFI 36-2005.
• Be a United States citizen.
• Meet the Age requirements.
• Applicants must commission by age 30. Up to age 35 with a waiver. Applicants commissioning over
the age of 30 will need to submit a waiver request to HQ AFROTC/RRUE.
• Have at least 1 year Time-In-Service (Waiverable).
• Have at least 1 year Time-On-Station at board convening date (Board is held in January) (Waiverable).
• Have served at least half of an overseas tour 1 month prior to class start date (Waiverable).
• Overseas Long Tour. Has not applied before the 25th day of the 8th month before DEROS (Waiverable).
• Be recommended by your immediate commander on the AF Form 56.
• Must be able to complete their degree in 2 years and be considered a full-time student by the university.
• Have at least 24 hours of graded college course work towards your degree with at least a 2.5 cumulative
GPA.
• Must have at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of math or physical science, or 4 semesters or 6
quarters of the same foreign language maintaining at least a C- in each course upon graduation.
• Be admitted to a school offering AFROTC (including cross-town schools) in the academic major you
desire to study.
• Earn Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) scores of 15 or more on the Verbal scale and 10 or
more on the Quantitative scale.
• Pass all components of the Air Force Physical Fitness Test.
• Must not be selected for reassignment prior to application submission date.
• Must be medically qualified for continued enlistment, commissioning, and cleared for worldwide duty.
• Must not be PRP decertified or disqualified (Waiverable).
• Must not have any restrictions (AAC, ALC, O, UIF, etc) other than an AAC code 5 (Waiverable).
• Must not have an IEB/SRB within the present enlistment. (Waiverable)
• Meet retainability requirement. The earliest selects will be authorized to separate is 30 days prior to
class start date. If the applicant does not meet this requirement, they must request an extension through
their normal base channels.
• Meet all the requirements for commissioning (physical, moral, fitness, etc.) listed in AFI 36-2013,
AFROTCI 36-2011, AFI 36-2002 and AFI 36-2005.
Note: Waivers are not guaranteed. Waiver requests must reach HQ AFROTC/RRUE NET 1 July and NLT 1
August each year.
How will you afford this program?
If selected, you will separate from the Air Force. You will no longer be collecting military pay and benefits
and will be living on the civilian economy like any other college student.
AFROTC Enlisted Commissioning Program Website
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Description:Officer Training School (OTS) - Line officer training is conducted by Detachment 12 and the 24th. Training Squadron at Officer Training School (OTS) Maxwell AFB, AL. Line Officers consist of those career fields not directly commissioned into the USAF. • United States Air Force Academy/Prep School
