Enlisted Military Agent (FAQ)
What is the enlisted application/selection process?
First, an applicant visits the local AFOSI detachment for an initial suitability determination,
which will include an interview and other screening assessments.
If the applicant is recommended for further consideration, the AFOSI unit will submit a request
to HQ AFOSI. HQ AFOSI will contact the applicant's Air Force Personnel Center Career Field
Functional Manager. It is the AFPC Functional who determines whether or not to release the
applicant from the career field.
If the applicant has been released, the detachment commences a suitability investigation on the
applicant. Following the investigation, the results are reviewed by the detachment's Region
Commander. The Region Commander's decision is sent to the detachment, and the detachment
notifies the applicant whether or not he or she has been selected.
Do I bring EPRs and/or letters of recommendation with me to my initial meeting at the
detachment?
EPRs and letters of recommendation are part of the process, but different detachments ask for
them at different points in the process.
What ranks can apply?
Enlisted personnel in the ranks of senior airman (with less than 6 years’ time in service) and
staff sergeant (with less than 11 years’ time in service); TSgts can apply on a case-by-case
basis and should contact their local AFOSI detachment for more information.
What are the time-in-service restrictions?
Time-in-service restrictions apply based on one's Total Active Federal Military Service Date
(TAFMSD). At the time you would begin AFOSI training, your time-in-service (measured from
your TAFMSD) must not exceed the following: for senior airmen, 6 years; for staff sergeants,
11 years. Under certain circumstances, the time-in-service restriction can be waived.
(Time-in-service restrictions can change based on the current AFOSI recruitment focus. Please
check with the local AFOSI unit for possible updates.)
An additional restriction applies to an applicant's length-of-enlistment obligation. A First-term
Airman serving a four-year enlistment can apply for OSI between his or her 35th and 43rd
months of enlistment. A First-term Airman serving a six-year enlistment can apply between the
59th and 67th month.
If the applicant is serving overseas, the retraining window is different. Airmen stationed overseas
apply between the 14th and 10th month before the DEROS as long as they will enter the 35th
month of service (59th for 6-year enlistees) on or before DEROS.
What are the time-in-grade requirements?
Time-in-grade requirements apply to the length of time served at a certain grade level. Time-in-
grade restrictions often change based on the current AFOSI recruitment focus. Please check with
the local AFOSI Detachment for possible updates.
Do I need to have a college degree? If not, does having one help my chances?
You do not need a college degree to apply. However, a degree may help, as it demonstrates your
ability to complete a significant goal. A degree may also positively influence your chances if it
is a degree in a field of study we value, such as foreign languages, computer sciences, and
electronics.
Can I apply if I have derogatory information in my record?
Yes, however we will consider all derogatory information during the overall determination of
suitability.
Members who are currently on the Control Roster or who have a current Unfavorable
Information File are not eligible. However, members with letters of counseling, letters of
reprimand, or some types of Article 15s in their record are eligible to apply. Airmen currently
participating in the Air Force drug or alcohol rehabilitation program are ineligible, but those who
have completed either of the programs may apply.
Can enlisted members of the Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard apply?
No. All enlisted personnel, even those coming from other branches of the armed forces, must
serve in another Air Force career field prior to applying to AFOSI. All applicants must meet the
rank and time-in-service requirements stipulated above.
If a person from another branch of service enters the Air Force with qualifying rank
(senior airman through technical sergeant), how long must he or she serve in another Air
Force career field before applying?
The same rules apply to everyone, whether you've come over from another branch of service or
not. A person serving a four-year enlistment can apply for AFOSI between the 35th and 43rd
months of the Air Force enlistment. A person serving a six-year enlistment can apply between
the 59th and 67th
month of the Air Force enlistment.
Can I apply if my current career field is on the critical list?
Yes, but understand that the chances of being released from your current career field are small.
Also understand that AFOSI does not make or influence the decision to release you or not. That
decision is made by the functional manager of your control Air Force Specialty Code.
Does the fact that I'm in a critical career field influence negatively AFOSI's hiring
decision?
We will give you the same amount of consideration, regardless of your career field. We make
our initial suitability determination of you prior to – and entirely independent of – your AFPC
functional manager's decision to release or not release you.
How do I go about requesting release from my career field?
You do nothing on your own. It is taken care of in the application process when you talk to your
local AFOSI unit.
Can I apply if I have a projected assignment?
No. If you have a projected assignment you cannot apply for retraining into AFOSI. If you apply
and have been released by your AFPC Functional Manager, and are later selected for PCS/PCA
reassignment, AFOSI will continue processing the retraining application. If you are selected for
AFOSI duty, we will request assignment cancellation.
How long does the application process take?
The complete application process takes from 2 to 5 months.
Do I have to be a security forces member to apply?
No. You may apply from any career field.
What career field, if any, increases my chances of being hired?
Specifically, none. Your demonstrated character and skills - not your career field – are what will
increase your chances. AFOSI looks for high-caliber people, those who've demonstrated
maturity, professionalism, good judgment, and compliance with Air Force standards and core
values.
Do certain skills or abilities give me an advantage?
Certain skills are looked at favorably. These are fluency in a foreign language, high-level
computer skills, and electronics. However, possessing these skills is no guarantee of success,
because we make our decision based on the whole-person concept.
Do I need to have firewall performance reports to be hired?
Your Enlisted Performance Reports are included in your application. While firewall 5s are not
required, good EPRs are important.
Does pre-enlistment trouble with the law enter the equation?
Prior service involvement with law enforcement will surface during the background
investigation and will be taken into consideration when we evaluate your character. It is vital
that applicants are honest and forthcoming during every stage of the application process.
If selected, will I be able to remain at my current location?
In rare cases, members will remain at their current assignment. However, the majority of agents
are relocated after retraining into AFOSI. As with any other Air Force career field, you'll have
input regarding the locations you desire, but the needs of the Air Force come first.
If I am selected but currently serving an overseas tour, when will I retrain?
You must first finish your overseas assignment, based on your Date Eligible to Return From
Overseas (DEROS).
How often will I move to another assignment location?
In general, the frequency of our permanent change of station rates aligns with the rest of the
Air Force, although we do tend to have a slightly higher-than-average move rate. The needs of
the Air Force and prescribed tour lengths determine how frequently our agents move.
What about work-related travel and temporary duty?
Temporary duty travel varies according to an agent's assignment. Some AFOSI units require a
great deal of work-related travel, especially those that are responsible not just for one
installation but for others within a region. Other units require much less travel. The nature of
AFOSI work, however, practically dictates at least some travel for everyone, as any
investigation could require an agent to conduct an interview or gather evidence at other
locations. And, from time to time, agents are called away to testify at courts-martial at their
previous assignment locations.
What about deployments? Do agents deploy?
Yes, just like most members of the Air Force, agents deploy.
What are the physical requirements?
There are no special physical requirements. You must simply be worldwide qualified. More
information is available from your military personnel section.
How do I get into certain specialties, like technical services, computer-crime investigations,
etc.?
You apply directly for those positions upon entry. Make your desire known to your base AFOSI
unit at the outset. Your aptitude in the specialty will be evaluated by a practicing agent within
that specialty, who will assess your current level of knowledge and ability to learn more.
If hired, will I wear civilian clothes to work?
When performing agent duties, you'll wear "agent attire," which is typically the same as
business attire for males and females (examples below). However, you will be required to
maintain a full complement of Air Force uniforms for Professional Military Education,
ceremonial purposes, and other instances that may arise that require uniform wear.
