How to Job Selections and Pilot Slots Work at the Air Force Academy
Becoming an Air Force pilot is the top reason people come to the Academy. They want to fly. There is no better place to go to become an Air Force pilot, than the Air Force Academy. Yes, there are other ways you can do it, like ROTC or Officer Training School, but in those cases, you’re competing for only a handful of pilot slots, in which case you o have to be the absolute best of the best to even be considered.
That’s not really how it works at the Air Force Academy. When it comes to the sheer number of pilot slots offered each year across ROTC, OTS and the Academy, the Air Force Academy overwhelmingly has the most, giving you the best chance of earning a slot.
Historically, the Academy has around 400-500 pilot slots per graduating class, and because not everyone is interested in being a pilot or medically qualified to be a pilot, as long as you are medically qualified, you will be pretty much guaranteed a slot. Now of course, things can change, and there is this thing called “needs of the Air Force” which essentially means, you don’t always get what you want depending on what the Air Force wants. However, all things considered, if you’re medically qualified and not ranked at the absolute bottom of your class, your chances of receiving a pilot slot out of the Air Force Academy are extremely high.
Not Everyone at the Air Force Academy is a Pilot
Just to clear up any confusion, there are 35 different career fields, also known as Air Force Specialty Codes (or AFSCs) that you can go into after graduating from the Academy. From engineering, health and medicine, operations analyst, personnel, finance, to communications, I promise, you will be surprised by what’s all available.
No matter what you want to do, choosing the Air Force Academy guarantees you a job and a career after graduation. For me, the Air Force Academy was the perfect choice, because I knew I would have 4-years to figure out what I wanted to do, without the stress of not knowing if I would have something to fall back on when I graduated. In a way, the decision is kind of made for you, you’re required to serve active duty in the Air Force, but at the same time, the options you can take and the experiences you will have, in my mind, definitely make it worth it.
How Rated Pilot Slots Work at the Air Force Academy
When you reach your junior year (known as your two-degree year) at the Air Force Academy, you’ll officially submit your preferences for which career field you want to enter after graduation. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during your time at the Academy—especially if you’re hoping to become a pilot, which comes with a longer service commitment and additional selection steps.
Rated vs. Non-Rated Career Fields
There are two major categories of career fields in the Air Force:
- Rated: Includes pilots, combat systems officers, air battle managers, and RPA (remotely piloted aircraft) pilots. These are flying-related roles and typically come with a longer service commitment (e.g. 10 years for pilots after training, totaling around 12 years).
- Non-Rated: Covers everything else, from intelligence and cyber to acquisitions, finance, and even Space Force opportunities like space operations.
If you want to go rated, you’ll need to pass additional screening tests and medical evaluations. I’ve covered this in more detail in my YouTube video on pilot selection if you want a full breakdown.
The Selection Process
Career selection happens in three phases:
- Explore (First 2.5 years): Learn about different jobs through career fairs, speakers, and mentorship from Academy staff.
- Submit Preferences (Junior Spring): Fill out a “dream sheet” ranking your preferred career fields.
- Assignment Results (Senior Fall): Find out what job you’ve been selected for.
When filling out your dream sheet, you’ll list both rated and non-rated preferences (you can compete for both). Ultimately, selections are made by the Air Force’s Personnel Center in San Antonio—not by the Academy itself—and are based on a combination of your preferences, the needs of the Air Force, and your class ranking.
Class Rank Matters
Class ranking plays a major role in both your job selection and your base assignment (where you’ll go after graduation). Top-ranked cadets are more likely to get their first-choice career field and base. This is especially important for rated slots like ENJJPT (Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training), which offers the best chance to track into fighters. ENJJPT selections are also heavily based on class rank.
So while there are usually enough pilot slots for qualified cadets, nothing is guaranteed. Performing well academically, physically, and militarily is the best way to secure your first-choice rated slot and desired base location.
Bonus: Graduate School Opportunities
Another perk tied to class rank is the chance to attend graduate school right after the Academy. Each year, over 100 slots are available for cadets to earn a master’s degree before starting active duty. It’s optional but a strong opportunity worth exploring through your academic advisor.
Bottom Line:
If you’re aiming to become a pilot, start preparing from day one. Learn about the career fields, ask questions, and work hard to maintain a strong class ranking. Rated slots are competitive, but with focus and preparation, you can put yourself in the best position to succeed.
If you want to take the next step and maximize your chance of getting accepted into the Air Force Academy, you can enroll in our full Academy Blueprint online course, here.
