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The Air Force Reserve is open to current military personnel who are transitioning from active duty, former members of any branch of the U.S. military, as well as candidates with no prior military experience.

For more information on how to join the Air Force Reserve, contact the appropriate local recruiter based on the following:

Non-prior service:

Applicants without prior military service must:

Be 17 to 39 years old
Be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident
Have a high school diploma (or GED with 15 college credits)
Be in good health

Once these requirements are met, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a comprehensive written test, and the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), physical and moral standard screenings, will help further determine your eligibility.

After all testing and physicals are complete, you will go to Basic Military Training (BMT), an 8-week course completed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

After BMT, you may need to go to technical training, where you will learn about your career field and can even earn college credit toward a degree.

Prior service:

If you have previously served in either the active duty Air Force or another branch of the military, your adjusted age must be less than 40. (Subtract your years of service from your age. If the result is less than 40, you may be eligible to join the Air Force Reserve.)

Candidates with prior military experience will not have to repeat Basic Military Training (BMT). You can continue your service, and, in many cases, keep your rank.

You can also join regardless of the U.S. military branch in which you previously served, including other Reserve and National Guard components.

Here is an informational flyer that highlights the different statuses and benefits.

Aerospace Medicine Specialist

Overview: From being subjected to high gravitational forces of fighter jets to the weightlessness of space travel, aircraft pilots and crews face uncommon physiological and health challenges. Aerospace Medicine physicians provide specialized medical evaluations and care for these personnel and also establish preventative and occupational medicine programs to deal with contingencies and emergencies encountered in these exceptional environments.

Air Transportation

Overview: Air Transportation personnel manage cargo and passengers on military aircraft. Viewed from their civilian counterparts, they are the cargo shipping representative, customer service agent, shipping clerk, baggage receiving attendant, and baggage handling person rolled into one. In addition, they ensure that the aircraft is loaded safely.

Aircraft Mechanic

Overview: Airlift/Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance personnel are responsible for the pre and post-flight inspections as well as the general mechanical work necessary to ensure that aircraft are operationally ready to fly. They serve as flight chiefs in supervising all maintenance activities and determining when aircraft repairs require assignment to individual systems specialists.

Force Support

Overview: Force Support Officers lead, manage and direct personnel executing combat support capabilities for the Air Force and joint mission in the core areas of Manpower, Personnel and Services Programs. These manpower managers supervise a full range of personnel programs to include accession, retention, promotion, education, training, recreation and fitness. In addition, they ensure that equal opportunity, sexual assault prevention and other human relations programs to fully support the rights and needs of all Reservists and their families.

Non-Prior Service Pilot

Overview: There are many routes to become a pilot in the military. The Air Force Reserve allows more career flexibility. You can secure a pilot training slot before starting officer training. You can pick which aircraft you desire to fly and where you want to live. You can easily change statuses from full-time to part-time. Click here to email your questions to our undergraduate pilot training team.

Packages typically include:
Cover Letter
Resume
Copy of Air Force Officer Qualifying Test score sheet
Copy of your Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS) / Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM)
Letters of recommendation
Transcripts from all universities
Copy of college diploma

Personnel Force Innovation matches Guard and Reserve personnel with Department of Defense agencies for Man-Day tours from one to three years. Some positions are non-Air Force Specialty Code specific.

Click on the image above to view the current listing of ART position vacancies listed on the USAJobs.gov website as well as information on qualification criteria, position details, required forms, and links to website with more pertinent information.

The 913th Airlift Group has bonuses available for Air Transportation Specialists (2T2X1). The enlisted incentive programs available include: Non-Prior Service (NPS) and Prior Service Enlistment, Reenlistment, Enlisted Affiliation, and Retraining (AFI 36-3012).

All bonus incentives will be paid a potential bonus entitlement of $7.5K, $15K or $20K depending on the critical skill AFSC listed on the current Fiscal Year Critical Skills list and the member's Date of Enlistment (DOE) and length of the enlistment contract.

Want to learn more about reenlistment bonuses? Speak with your supervisor and go the MyPers website to find out more.

Those without prior military service can speak with their local reserve recruiters.

Air Force Reserve 101 Info Flyer for prior service

Air Reserve Personnel Center Resource Page

Palace Chase Eligibility Checklist

In-Service Recruiter:
501-987-7188

501-987-2790

1255 Vandenberg Blvd., Rm 126, Little Rock AFB, AR 72099

Non-prior service Recruiter:
501-617-3979
140 John Harden Drive, Jacksonville, AR 72099

About ART Jobs:

An Air Reserve Technician (ART) carries dual status, working as a full-time Department of Defense civil service employee and as Reservist performing the same job in an Air Force Reserve Command unit.

ARTs are full-time civilian employees who are required to serve as members of the Air Force Reserve one weekend a month and at least 14 days a year of annual training. On these weekend Unit Training Assemblies (UTAs) and during their annual two-week tour of duty, ARTs train with fellow reservists.

During the normal five-day workweek, ARTs perform as civilians, maintaining and operating reserve facilities in direct support of their unit.

Submit your application through USA Jobs.

About Active Guard Reserve: It is a category of National Guard or Reserve members in the Selected Reserve who are ordered to active duty or full-time National Guard duty for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the reserve component units.

About Traditional Reservists: A TR trains part time for pay and retirement points or just retirement points on a recurring basis.

About Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA): IMAs are assigned to active-component units and government agencies. Unlike Traditional Reservists, who are assigned to Reserve units that regularly perform duty together, IMAs augment their active-component counterparts at wings, major commands, combatant commands and government agencies around the globe. IMAs also support relief efforts in the aftermath of disasters like hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.

The annual requirement for IMA positions is 24 or 48 Inactive Duty Training (IDT) periods and a 12-15 day Annual Tour. There is usually flexibility when scheduling training requirements based upon your availability and the needs of the Air Force. Additionally, IMAs may volunteer to serve on long-term MPA and RPA tours with their unit and other organizations, supporting manning shortfalls, exercises and special projects as needs and requirements arise.