Posted on Feb 6, 2016
Will the Air Force Academy complete my requirements for O-1E?
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I'm 3 years into my enlistment, and don't know whether the academy would help me meet my time requirements for prior-enlisted, (since I'd be going during my contract) or if it wouldn't affect it.
Prior Service
Military Pay
USAFA
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 18
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Most enlisted guys get sent to the prep school first for a year and then go to the academy. So you would have 4 years enlisted time for when you commission. If you get straight into the academy then you would "only" be getting O1 pay over 3 years after graduation. Check the pay scale CPL (Join to see) if you commission a year earlier and miss out on the E designator you won't miss out on much pay. Be a zoomie man. It is a chance you don't want to miss out on.
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LTC Jason Mackay
CPL (Join to see) - Prior enlisted pay stops at O3 anyway. All you get at the end is the satisfaction of earning it. Your TIS will count for retirement....however they are going to do that in the future.
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Lt Col James Rich
Your 3 years will count towards your O1 pay...the big bumps are at four years anyway. So if you are an O1 with four years it should be close if not exactly O1E pay. My advice...is make sure you are over 4 years be fore getting commissioned, if possible to ensure your get the pay bump.
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The four years at USAFA don't count for pay purposes (but they do for the longevity ribbon for some reason). That being said, do you have an appointment for the incoming class, or think you might? If not, it is too late to apply this year; you would need to wait until next years' class.
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CPL (Join to see)
No sir, I'm going next school year, starting my package now so its all squared up when it's due. Thanks for the insight!
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Unfortunately I don't know the technical answer to your question but wanted to offer some food for thought. I too was an OE-1 at one point in my career. Though it meant something to me in my heart of hearts - proud to have been enlisted - it really didn't make any difference to anyone else. My superiors expected me to perform as a young leader and the enlisted people that worked for me expected the same. As an officer I'm charged with leading, having an "E" after the "O" didn't change that. In the end, what I'm getting at is you have an opportunity to become a leader in the strongest most dynamic military in the world. Don't get hung up on the title - just lead.
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