Air Force announces OTS selections

  • Published
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  More than 60 men and women from throughout America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for a commission, officials here announced Sept. 2.

Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 467 applications as part of Officer Training School Selection Board 0506, which selected 68 for a 14.6 percent selection rate. Of those, 33 enlisted Airmen earned the chance to attend OTS and trade their stripes for gold bars as second lieutenants.

The selection rate reflects decreased requirements for line officers. The total number of people selected to attend OTS in fiscal 2004 was 1,060. Fewer OTS boards were conducted during fiscal 2005 to select 727 people. The requirements for fiscal 2006 and 2007 are expected to be about 500 each year, AFRS officials said.

Requirements for pilots, navigators and air battle managers will remain constant, but nonrated opportunities, for which most enlisted Airmen apply, will be reduced, officials said.

“We’ve heard the concerns from the enlisted force that we’re limiting the best way for them to earn a commission,” said Brig. Gen. Robertus C.N. Remkes, AFRS commander. “We will continue to consider commissioning applications by enlisted members as we’ve always done. Although there are fewer OTS requirements, Airmen must consider all roads to commissioning, to include ROTC, Air Force Academy, the Air Education and Commissioning Program and the Scholarship for Outstanding Airman.”

As part of the selection process, board members review both objective and subjective factors. Objectively, the board considers each applicant’s academic discipline, grade point average and Air Force Officer Qualifying Test scores. Subjectively, board members evaluate work experience, accomplishments, adaptability, character, leadership ability, potential for future growth and other recommendations. For active-duty Airmen, performance reports and commander’s recommendations are also evaluated.

Five Air Force colonels review every application. The selection process is similar to an Air Force officer promotion board. No single factor leads to an individual's selection or nonselection, OTS selection officials said.

People selected can expect class assignment information about eight weeks after their commissioning physical is certified.

For more information, active-duty Airmen can contact their local education office. Civilians can contact the nearest Air Force recruiter.

For a complete list of applicants selected, visit www.afrecruiting.com/news/news15.asp.