Age, Height and Weight

Age requirements vary depending on the path you choose:

To enlist or join as an officer, you must be between the ages of 17 and have not reached your 42nd birthday.

The Air National Guard maintains height and weight requirements to ensure our Airmen are physically capable of carrying out their tasks. These vary slightly depending on your desired position.

We utilize a Body Mass Index (BMI) range of 17.5 to 27.5 to determine height-to-weight ratio for body composition. When a recruit is outside of this BMI range, recruiters will use a body fat measurement (BFM) with a maximum range of 26% for males and 36% for females.

Health and Vision

Air National Guard careers are often physically and mentally demanding, and Airmen must be in good health to meet our strict standards. If you have a preexisting health condition, your recruiter can help you consider the general guidelines for medical conditions and your eligibility for entrance.

Additionally, your vision will be fully evaluated during your pre-entry qualification physical. You may have an eye refraction level of no worse than + or - 8.0. Note that some careers, like pilots, have stricter vision requirements to meet.

Family and Children

ENLISTED:

All female applicants must be a minimum of six months postpartum to be eligible for enlistment.

Please check with your local recruiter for specific eligibility requirements regarding applicants with dependents.

OFFICER:

Pregnant applicants are authorized to apply but must obtain a qualifying commissioning physical within 14.5 months postpartum before OTS scheduling.

Please check with your local recruiter for specific eligibility requirements regarding applicants with dependents.

Citizenship

If you wish to enlist as a non-citizen in the Air Force, you must be a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) with a valid Permanent Resident Card (INS Form I-551), commonly known as a “Green Card.” LPRs are immigrants admitted for permanent residence to live and work in the United States. The requirements for being an officer are a little more strict, and you must be a native-born or naturalized United States citizen.

U.S. Residency Requirements

Enlistment into the Air Force by non-U.S. citizens is limited to foreign nationals who are legally residing in the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). LPRs must possess a valid Permanent Resident Card (INS Form I-551), or “Green Card,” for two years (conditional) or 10 years (without conditions) and have at least six months or more remaining before expiration. Applicants must be between 17 and 42; meet the mental, moral and physical standards for enlistment; and speak, read and write English fluently.

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

As a member of the Air National Guard, Lawful Permanent Residents may qualify for naturalization based on military service. Speak to your local recruiter to learn more about opportunities to become a U.S. citizen through military service. 

Education and Test Scores

You can enlist in the Air National Guard with a high-school diploma or a GED, but GED holders must meet the following requirements:

Additionally, GED holders must wait for GED applicant slots to become available, and this can sometimes take up to one year.  

Upon applying, all Air National Guard applicants must complete the Armed  Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) entrance exam. 

To join as an officer, you must have a four-year college degree or be within 365 days of attaining your bachelor’s degree when you apply. If you plan to attend college, or are already in college and are looking for financial assistance, the Air Force can help.

Officer candidates are not required to take the ASVAB, but most must pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT). This is similar to the SAT, in a multiple-choice format and covers topics ranging from verbal and math skills to pilot and navigation aptitude for those interested in flying. Scores are reported as percentiles ranging from 1 to 99.

Criminal Record and Drug Use

Law violations can heavily impact your eligibility for enlistment. Even an excessive number of traffic-related law violations within a 365-day period could negatively impact your eligibility. If you have concerns about your record, contact your recruiter to discuss your situation.

The Air National Guard also strictly prohibits illegal drug use. In most cases, it’s disqualifying, but preservice marijuana use without exposure to legal proceedings in itself doesn’t disqualify you. Your specific circumstances may be discussed with your recruiter to accurately determine your eligibility.