In order to join the Air Force, you must achieve a minimum overall qualifying Air Force ASVAB score of 31 if you are a high school senior or have a high school diploma, and 50 if you are a GED holder. Air Force careers involve specific requirements for ASVAB scores in applicable aptitude areas, such as general, mechanical, administrative, and electric. Our ASVAB Air Force practice tests include a full diagnostic test that covers all nine sections of the ASVAB, giving you insight into your strengths and weaknesses. These Air Force ASVAB practice tests will help you get the career you want. See our list of Air Force careers and their relevant ASVAB scores below.  

Your AFOQT score specifically determines if you are eligible for enlistment in the military. High school seniors/graduates must receive a minimum score of 31 AFOQT in order to qualify for the Air Force; GED holders must score a 50 AFOQT. The AFOQT score is calculated by combining the standard scores of four subject tests: Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Word Knowledge (WK). The scores are shown as percentiles, which is a similar concept to the standard score scoring method. The score you see is based on the number of questions you answered correctly compared to other test takers, and ranges from a percentile score of one to 99. The higher your AFOQT score, the more qualified you are for a number of job opportunities within the Air Force. An AFOQT score of 45 and above would qualify you for most jobs within the Air Force.

To be eligible to enlist in the US Air Force, applicant must:

1. You must be between the ages of 17 and 39
2. You must have a U.S. citizen or legal, permanent resident
3. You must have a high school diploma, GED with at least 15 college credits, or GED
4. You must take and meet the minimum score requirements on the ASVAB test
5. You must pass a physical exam
6. You must pass a background check

Applicants with serious health issues, drug use, or law violations may be disqualified from joining the Air Force. A criminal record, even including a large number of traffic violations, may also impact your eligibility into the Air Force.

There are two series of ranks in the Air Force: Enlisted Airmen and Officers. Your rank designates your uniform insignia, your level of responsibility, and your pay grade. The higher the number, the higher the rank.

• Enlisted ranks

  Airmen (E-1–E-4), Noncommissioned Officers (E-5–E-6), and Senior Noncommissioned Officers (E-7–E-9). Some enlisted ranks include airman basic, airman, airman first class, senior airman, staff sergeant, technical sergeant, master sergeant, and senior master sergeant.
• Officer ranks

  Second lieutenant (O-1), First Lieutenant (O-2), Captain (O-3), Major (O-4), Lieutenant Colonel (O-5), Colonel (O-6), Brigadier General (O-7), and Major General (O-8). Newly commissioned officers are given the rank of second lieutenant.

Enlisting in the Air Force means you are signing up for an overall eight-year military service obligation, with the option of a four- or six-year active-duty service commitment to the Air Force. According to the official U.S. Air Force website, “Qualified individuals who enlist for four years active duty will incur an Inactive Ready Reserve obligation of four years. Qualified individuals who enlist for six years active duty will incur an Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) obligation of two years. IRR (A manpower pool consisting of individuals who have had some training and who have served previously in the Active Component or in the Selected Reserve and have some period of their military service obligation remaining. You are not in the active reserves.) The service commitment for Air Force officers is four years active-duty service, unless they become a Navigator or a Pilot. Navigators will incur a six-year service commitment from the date they complete training and are awarded an aeronautical rating. Pilots incur a 10-year service commitment from the date they complete training and are awarded an aeronautical rating. Airmen in these roles are evaluated for continued service one year to 18 months before the completion of this commitment. If approved for continued service, the Airman can serve out the remainder of the commitment.”

There are over 64 Air Force bases located in the continental United States of America and over 20 Air Force base locations in other countries. When you enlist in the military and are up for assignment, you have the opportunity to select your top 16 location preferences—up to eight within the U.S. and eight overseas—by base, state, region or country. Your preferred locations are taken under consideration during the assignment process, however there must be a defined need for your specialty at the base where you will ultimately be assigned.