DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS

QUANTICO VIRGINIA

“EYES OF THE EAGLE”

29 March 2022

MEMORANDUM FOR ROTC UNIT CADRE

ROTC CADETS APPLYING TO 71S

FROM: OSI 71S CFM

SUBJECT: 71S Direct Accession Board Application Guidance (Calendar Year 2022)

1. The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) has a highly competitive, board-driven selection process for

interested ROTC cadet applicants. Refer to Paragraph 2 for application timeline and Attachment 1

for application format. Please note, cadets already assigned an AFSC (Rated or Non-Rated) may still

compete for OSI (71S) duty and will be re-classified to 71S if accepted.

2. Calendar Year 2022 (CY22) applicants should earn their degree and commission between 1 Oct 22 and

30 Sep 23. Complete application packages must be submitted in electronic format no later than 30 Sep 22.

Refer to Attachment 1 for format.

3. ROTC Detachment Commanders must author one of the three required letters of recommendation

and complete and sign the bottom section of the Applicant Information Sheet, including the cadet’s Duty

Title/Description and cadet ranking within the ROTC Detachment (#X of XX cadets). If ROTC

Detachment Commanders would prefer to submit this information separately, they can provide the Duty

Title/Description and cadet ranking info in a separate memo and e-mail it directly to the OSI selection

board. If multiple cadets are applying from the same ROTC unit, the ROTC Detachment Commander

should stratify the candidates against each other via their respective letters of recommendation (#X of XX

applying for 71S / OSI). Other recommended content for the ROTC Detachment Commander letter is a

brief explanation on any ROTC Awards (including scholarships) the applicant has been awarded to give

the Selection Board more rounded knowledge on the award’s significance. We no longer require cadets to

submit a Form 53. We have had formatting issues with the Form 53 in the past, so rather than requiring

the form we simply added lines to the Applicant Info Sheet requesting the data we previously gleaned

from the Form 53. We also no longer need to see the cadet’s career field preferences—the presumption is

that if they are applying for the OSI selection board, 71S is their number one choice.

4. Interested cadets should proactively contact at least one OSI unit’s leadership early in the application

process (refer to http://www.osi.af.mil/ for unit listing.) Mission permitting, OSI unit leadership may allow

the cadet to shadow their unit. This ongoing relationship between the cadet and the OSI unit affords an

opportunity for cadets to better understand the realities of the OSI profession and gives units a broader

perspective on cadet’s suitability for OSI duty. OSI is an incredibly unique career field; cadets should

commit themselves to making an informed decision about applying to OSI. Some portions of the formal

application process must be conducted by the local OSI unit so applicants are strongly encouraged to

initiate contact well before the 30 September deadline to ensure that the OSI portions of the application

are completed on time. Any documents filled out at the OSI unit will be submitted separately by the OSI

agents themselves. A formal interview will also be conducted as part of the OSI screening process.

5. Available quotas change annually in accordance with Department of Air Force (DAF) manpower needs,

but historically, applicants far exceed quotas. Each year’s applicant board is comprised of senior Special

Agents who review each applicant’s package via a “whole person” concept; well-rounded and diverse

selects are the goal. DAF diversity includes but is not limited to: personal life experiences, geographic

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background, socioeconomic background, cultural knowledge, educational background, work background,

language abilities, physical abilities, philosophical/spiritual perspectives, age, race, ethnicity and gender.

Recently selected applicants generally maintained a strong grade point average; many were science,

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors, were proficient in at least one foreign

language, were ranked “top 3” within their ROTC unit, and held Wing or Group level (or equivalent)

leadership roles within their ROTC units. The data points above are not prerequisites. A whole person

concept is at the forefront for selection consideration into our diverse command. While high GPAs and

STEM degrees indicate successful academic accomplishments, the nature of OSI’s duty responsibilities

requires strong interpersonal and communication skills; we desire candidates who can talk, listen, write

and brief with confidence. Additionally, many OSI Detachments are small units. We desire candidates

who are adept at working within small team dynamics and who have demonstrated the ability to lead in

those environments.

6. Applicants must appreciate OSI is a federal law enforcement career. Demonstrated maturity and strong

leadership qualities are necessary; all 71S officers are expected to serve as informal and formal leaders

throughout the entirety of their career. Direct accessions often only have one or two assignments as field

agents before they are challenged with formal leadership roles, to include command. Serving as an OSI

Special Agent warrants a great deal of responsibility and autonomy. Before recommending a cadet, ROTC

Detachment Commanders should consider if they would want the applicant handling an investigation

involving their own work unit or personal family; hesitation should translate into constructive feedback

with the cadet and a non-recommendation for OSI duty. Successful applicants should exude discretion,

comfortably manage constant changes, attention to detail, constructive conflict management, and employ

emotional intelligence within their daily interactions. OSI supports, fosters and values an inclusive and

diverse force with equitable treatment of every member.

7. HQ OSI will disseminate a demographics memorandum to HQ ROTC after the selection board

concludes in an effort to provide board transparency and outline tangible measures for cadets outside of

application eligibility windows. Individual feedback on cadets (selected or not) will not be provided

outside of the disseminated demographics memorandum.

8. Selected cadets will undergo an OSI Agent Suitability Investigation. Cadets who are ultimately not

approved for OSI duty during the Suitably Investigation are referred to HQ AFPC Military Accessions

Branch for re-classification into an alternate career field, activating a 71S board-designated alternate in

their stead.

9. For additional information or questions about the ROTC application process for 71S duty, visit

https://www.osi.af.mil/VACANCY/Officers or email AFPC.DP2LS.71SAssignmentsTeam@us.af.mil.

We look forward to reviewing your application submissions.

JAMES L. HUDSON, Col, USAF

OSI 71S Career Field Manager

2 Attachments:

1. 71S Application Format Requirements (CY22)

2. Privacy Act of 1974 Cover Sheet

HUDSON.JAME

S.L.1152982395

Digitally signed by

HUDSON.JAMES.L.1152982395

Date: 2022.03.29 15:15:12 -04'00'

“EYES OF THE EAGLE”

Attachment 1

71S Application Format Requirements (CY22)

Electronic submissions: Create one .pdf file titled:

CY22 71S Application-LASTNAME, FirstName, MiddleInitial_ROTC Det XXX, University

Name

Applicants will email submissions to AFPC.DP2LS.71SAssignm[email protected]il

Applicants must include their ROTC Commander in the CC block of email submission

A receipt confirmation will be sent; ensure you follow-up within 48-hours if no

response received

All documents must be consolidated, in order, with separate cover sheets

titled based on below guidance

Cover Sheet: Privacy Act of 1974

Item 1: Cover letter

Applicant describes why they want 71S and why they are the best candidate for

selection

Item 2: Combination Resume Refer to the Tongue and Quill

Item 3: Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) total letters of recommendation from anyone the Applicant chooses

(Caveat: Applicant’s ROTC Commander must provide one of the three letters)

Item 4: Applicant Information Sheet

A PDF document (Times New Roman, 12-pt font, 1” margins) which contains

the below information split into two sections (“To Be Completed by the

Applicant” and “To Be Completed by the ROTC Detachment Commander”)

along with the Applicant’s and AFRTOC Det/CC’s signatures at the bottom

(wet signature or digital signature are acceptable):

To Be Completed by the Applicant:

1. Applicant Name:

2. Last 4 of Applicant’s SSN:

3. Applicant Medical Gender, Date of Birth, Race, and Ethnicity:

4. Applicant Phone number:

5. Applicant Email Address:

6. Applicant Home of Record Mailing Address:

7. Applicant Residence Mailing Address:

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8. ROTC Unit Number and School Name:

9. Undergraduate Academic Major:

10. Cumulative Gradepoint Average:

11. Commission Month/Year:

12. Current Classification/AFSC:

13. Prior Military Service:

a. Base:

b. AFSC/MOS:

c. # Years # Months:

d. Date of Separation

14. AFOQT Scores:

15. Foreign Language Skills:

a. DLAB Score:

b. DLPT Language(s)/Score(s):

c. Other Language Experience/Education/Training:

To Be Completed by the ROTC Detachment Commander:

1. ROTC Duty Title/Duty Description (include a description of how much authority/

responsibility this job has compared to other Cadet jobs):

2. Cadet Rank Within ROTC Det:

_______________________ ____________________________

Applicant Signature / Date ROTC Det/CC Signature / Date

Privacy Act Data

Cover Sheet

To be used on

all documents

containing personal

information

DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED ARE SUBJECT

TO THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

Contents shall not be disclosed, discussed, or shared with

individuals unless they have a direct need-to-know in the

performance of their official duties. Deliver this/these

document(s) directly to the intended recipient. DO NOT

drop off with a third-party.

The enclosed document(s) may contain personal or privileged information and should be treated

as “For Official Use Only.” Unauthorized disclosure of this information may result in CIVIL and

CRIMINAL penalties. If you are not the intended recipient or believe that you have received this

document(s) in error, do not copy, disseminate or otherwise use the information and contact

the owner/creator or your Privacy Act officer regarding the document(s).

Privacy Act Data Cover Sheet

DD FORM 2923, SEP 2010