Rated Preparatory Program offers Airmen interested in becoming a rated officer an opportunity to fly

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Keith James
  • Air Education and Training Command

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO- RANDOLPH, Texas -- Active-duty Air Force officers and enlisted personnel interested in becoming rated officers have until June 16, 2023, to apply for the Fall 2023 Air Force Rated Preparatory Program (RPP), scheduled for September 10-15, 2022, and September 17-22, 2022, in Columbus, Indiana.

The Rated Preparatory Program provides qualified Airmen an opportunity to gain and strengthen basic aviation skills in advance of testing for flight training. 

“While exploring improved methods of selecting and developing a diverse group of rated officers the Air Crew Task Force (ACTF) developed the Pilot Preparatory Program (PPP), now renamed the Rated Preparatory Program to evaluate the impact of ground school and 7-9 hours of flight time on the Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) board scores (Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS) and Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT), said Kassandra Hall, Rated Diversity Improvement program analyst. “RPP offers qualified Airmen an opportunity to not only get hands-on experience in an aircraft and simulator time but students also work side by side certified pilots from the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), gaining mentorship and direct feedback from aviation professionals to better improve their understanding of the rated career field.

Selecting up to 60 candidates program participants will receive ground instruction, approximately 7.5 hours of flight time, and approximately 2.5 hours in Federal Aviation Administration-certified flight simulators. The program is designed for minimal interference in duties with the allowance of self-paced ground school and a one-week, hands-on flying class to introduce participants to aviation fundamentals.

Executed by the CAP and Air Education & Training Command, RPP is not a commissioning program, nor does it guarantee participants will be selected for a particular rated Air Force Specialty Code.

“The result has been 132 students selected to a rated career field through the UFT board and seeing scores increase by about 40% on average thus improving chances of selection for Air Force flying training programs, said Hall.

U.S. Air Force rated career fields consist of pilots, combat systems officers, air battle managers and remotely piloted aircraft pilots.

Airmen who can meet the requirements below are encouraged to apply.

Applicants Must:

  1. Be of high moral character.
  2. Obtain Group Commander (or first O-6 in supervisory chain) approval and endorsement.
  3. Score at least minimum passing for the Physical Fitness Test.
  4. Have a Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM) score prior to submitting the application (must take the AFOQT and TBAS)
  5. Applicants with 5 or less hours of flying time are preferred. Those with more than 5 hours will be considered on a space available basis.
  6. Begin the process to obtain the appropriate Air Force flight physical commensurate with the rated interest. For example, Initial Flying Class 1 (IFC1) for pilots.
  7. Meet Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) board requirements post RPP (IAW AFMAN 36-2100).
  8. Enlisted requirements:
    1. Complete a bachelor’s degree by the program start date no exceptions.
    2. Individuals are responsible for ensuring they meet the requirements for application to an Air Force Officer commissioning source. (AFMAN 36-2032, Military Recruiting and Accessions, AFMAN36-2100, Military Utilization and Classification, AFMAN 36-2664, Personnel Assessment Program, and AFRS SOPG).
    3. Upon RPP graduation, apply to a commissioning source at the next opportunity.
    4. Application Process:
    5. Applications should be submitted via MyVector to include:
      1. Completing all sections and answering all questions.
    6. Submitting the official PCSM score print-out.
  1. Submitting college transcripts with conferred dates (unofficial is acceptable but must have conferred dates) only if the most current SURF does not capture the degree.
  2. Selection Process:
    1. AETC’s RDI team will conduct the RPP selection process.
    2. The RPP Selection Process will consider the following criteria:
      1. Job performance as an Airman (last three evals).
      2. Demonstrated leadership potential.
      3. Exemplification of Air Force Core Values.
      4. Desire/motivation to serve in a rated career field.
      5. Academic records.

Airmen interested in applying to the program can find additional information via the call for nominations on MyPers HERE (CAC required).

For any questions, e-mail AETC.RDI.Workflow@us.af.mil with “Attn: Rated Prep Program” as the subject line.