The US Air Force + Delayed Entry + Age Requirement?

Question

I have a serious question: I want to work for the military, and do not mind enlisting, and most likely will. I'm considering either the AF (my 1st choice) or the Navy.

I have a BA which I have not put to use (changed my mind about the career I wanted) and I am currently working on my BS in Mechanical Engineering. My interest is in Aeronautics, hence why either branch would be good for me. I have a scheduled graduation, and then I will be 28.5 yrs old. I am trying to speed it up by taking summer courses. I have not joined yet because I am stubborn - the units I would need to complete for a technical certificate in the service are far more than those I need to complete for a Bachelor's of Science. I think the BS would be more valuable for me to have both in and out of the military.

How exactly does Delayed Entry work? I think I would have a year before going in? If so could I do that at 27 years old and go in the AF at 28 with my BS? I just do not want to rule out the AF as a possibility. Both branches are great. I am also interested in their graduate programs - AFIT and NPS.

Answer 1

the DEP is nothing more than a label they put on the time spent from the day you sign to the day you ship, it is there only to keep you motivated and in, I would not even worry about enlisting until your ready to go, there is no way to benefit from it and most recruiters will laugh at you for even considering it, I was in the DEP for 3 months and that was ridiculous for someone already out of high school, actually the DEP was probably created for high school student not out of school yet, just focus on school and deal with the military when the time comes.

Answer 2

First off, if you enter as an Officer, you would not be part of the Delayed Entry Program (DEP).  That is an Enlisted program, not an officer program.

Nonrated applicants must be able to graduate from BOT (Officer Training School) prior to their 35th birthday. (Age Waiver is not Authorized).

Here's what you do.  Finish College with your BS Degree.

During your Senior year, find your local AF Recruiter and Ask for the number to the Officer Accessions Recruiter.  Set an appointment.

The OA Recruiter will assist you in completion of all the paperwork needed to become an Officer in the Air Force.  You will need to take a test (AFOQT) which is similar to the ASVAB.  You will also need to take a Physical Examination and conduct an Interview by the OA Program Manager.

To become an officer in the Military, it is not guaranteed.  Even after the testing, physical and interview, you will still have to be selected from everyone else in the nation who also applied.  If lucky enough to get selected, you would then attend Officer Training School (OTS).  If you make it there, then you are an Officer in the AF.

Because of your Engineering Degree, you are more desireable by the services especially in the flight/Pilot-Navigator programs.

By the way, you would need to have gone thru OTS and graduate Flight Training prior to reaching your 30th birthday. (non waiverable).

Answer 3

NPS/AFIT is typically only an option for OFFICERS.  a TEENY number of enlisted personnel get the opportunity each year( far more civilian contractors get it than enlisted)  

DEP is when you sign up now to leave on a future date..typically imposed by whatever job you choose and when an opening for that school opens up.

the max time you can be in DEP is 12 months.  

Answer 4

With a degree in engineering, you really should be talking to an Officer's Recruiter...  look at going to Officer Candidate School and trying to get a commission.  The pay is much better, the opportunities are much better, and military life as an officer is preferable to that of enlisted folks.

If you choose to go the enlisted route (which I can't imagine you would) you have up to a year to ship out, from the day you join the DEP.  

At least talk to an officer's recruiter... The worst they can do is tell you no.  If they do that, then you can always go the enlisted route.  What you should know is, no matter how much college you have, the best you can do is graduate boot camp as an E-2... look the salaries up by doing an web search on "Military Pay Chart"... then call an officers recruiter...   :)

Oh.. one note to the first poster..  Sometimes it's important to DEP because of what MOS you're trying to get.  My son had to DEP a year before he left for boot camp, because our recruiting district only gets 6 seats per year in the C-school he wanted.  By DEPing, he reserved that seat for himsef 18 months ahead of time.  Soo... for some MOS's it's a joke.. absolutely!  But for some it's the smart way to go.