Will the Air Force Academy complete my requirements for O-1E?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 12:55:04 -0500

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.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Feb 6 at 2016 1:23 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 13:23:39 -0500

It doesn't do that for people who go straight to the academy, so most likely it wouldn't do it if you have 3 years.

Response by Maj Daniel Pempel made Feb 6 at 2016 1:28 PM

Maj Daniel Pempel — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 13:28:00 -0500

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.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Feb 6 at 2016 1:31 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 13:31:18 -0500

If you currently have 3+ years of active enlisted time you will be considered an O-1E upon graduation. If your time is reserve or guard they will do a calculation, but most likely you are under the three year line. While at the academy you are a cadet and not an enlisted Soldier. If you are looking for a blend you can do SMP through ROTC if the Air Force has an equivalent.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2016 1:34 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 13:34:19 -0500

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 Private RallyPoint Member 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.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 6 at 2016 3:00 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 15:00:59 -0500

Deleted

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 6 at 2016 6:17 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 18:17:31 -0500

Cadets are a weird animal. They are considered active duty but not paid like active duty, and do not get credit for active duty. It is a hybrid status.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 11:13 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:13:42 -0500

It'll count. I'm prior enlisted and had 3 years prior to getting picked up for the Academy. I went to the Prep School (kept my E-4 pay but didn't wear the rank) and the rest of my enlistment expired first semester Freshman year. The pay difference is noticeable (about $9k/year higher than non-prior) and while the prior enlisted pay stops at O-3, you're still 4 ahead on the pay chart (compare O-4 "Over 10" column to the O-4 "Over 14" column).

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 11:32 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:32:24 -0500

If I'm not mistaken, the year as a "cadet candidate" at the Prep School is enlisted time, but the time as a cadet is that strange hybrid that was mentioned by someone else. It's not enlisted time. In fact, the Prep school students earn a higher paycheck than the freshman cadets.

Response by Col David Geuting made Feb 9 at 2016 12:52 PM

Col David Geuting — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 12:52:36 -0500

1st Lt is spot on with his advice. I enlisted out of high school and got accepted for the Prep School my first enlistment. I graduated from USAFA in 1983 and retired five years ago as a colonel. The opportunities and education far outweigh any consideration of OE-1 versus O-1 pay. Go for it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 3:49 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:49:16 -0500

You need 4 years active duty enlisted service to qualify for O-1E. You need to consult with the education office for the regulations on cadets if the time in prep school will count as your 4th year

Response by Maj Wayne Dahlke made Feb 9 at 2016 6:03 PM

Maj Wayne Dahlke — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 18:03:08 -0500

First off, congratulations on your appointment.
Second, you have to be discharged from active duty by the air force for the purposes of accepting an appointment to the academy. If you go to the prep school for a year, and you pass your fourth year of active enlisted service while you are there, you will get the O-1E pay upon graduation.
If you enter directly into the academy, then you will be discharged, and if that is before your four years of active enlisted service, then you will not get the O-1E bump, however you will still get your time in service for your completed enlisted time.
Having went this route myself (enlisted in 1987, went to the academy in 1989, Graduated in 1993), I did not get the O-1E pay, however I was an O-1 over 2 within 2 months of graduation.

I have two pieces of advice for you going in. First, wear all of your authorized ribbons and badges from your first day in blues. The other prior enlisted cadets will single you out a little more, but your classmates will look to you for advice and help with military duties, like shining shoes and basic airmanship skills. It takes a team to survive at the academy. Start on day one. you will make friends and contacts that will last a lifetime.
Second, find a study method that works for you. Many of your classmates will study all night and try to sleep during free periods during the day. This never worked for me. I finally figured out that success at the academy consisted in getting enough sleep to be awake and participate in classroom activities. You may not get a lot of control over this during your freshman year, but figure out a method that works for you.

Once again, congratulations on your appointment. Make the best of it and take advantage of the experiences that come your way. If you need advice or help once you are at the academy, feel free to reach out to me through here and I will try to answer any question you may have.

Cheers

Wayne Dahlke, USAFA '93

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 8:42 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 08:42:10 -0500

I'd recommend looking at your base leadership structure who are Academy alumnus. Make an appointment with them and see if they can offer some guidance. Having a "sponsor" really helps to guide Airmen into the program.

Response by Capt Matthew Avila made Feb 10 at 2016 9:19 AM

Capt Matthew Avila — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:19:15 -0500

Sra Harris, as a prior enlisted USAFA grad, I had to deal with this very question. It depends on your contract. In order to qualify for OE-1, you need to have served an enlisted contract for at least 4 years and a day. While you are attending USAFA, your contract is concurrently running. So, if you have a six year contract, or extend your four year contract, then you would be eligible for OE status.

Response by Col Jeffrey Swegel made Feb 10 at 2016 10:20 AM

Col Jeffrey Swegel — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 10:20:11 -0500

No. It will not

Response by Capt Dan Fink made Feb 10 at 2016 2:29 PM

Capt Dan Fink — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:29:36 -0500

If you become a cadet, you will still be on active duty and your enliostment obligation will run concurrent to your time as a cadet. You will just want to make sure you don't quit but rather graduate. Apply and try, it will be a decision you will not regret.
Dan Fink, USAFA Class of "64

Response by SMSgt John Clifford made Feb 10 at 2016 3:59 PM

SMSgt John Clifford — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:59:48 -0500

There is a procedure for active duty enlisted to apply to the Academy. It is a long drawn out process but well worth it even if you don't make the cut. Check on what you need to do with personnel or ask your First Shirt. Good luck. I didn't make the cut in 1963 but maybe you will.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2016 3:24 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 15:24:32 -0500

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.

Response by C/TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2016 6:27 PM

C/TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 18:27:59 -0500

No. once you graduate from usafa you have a mandatory 5 years