DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS
QUANTICO VIRGINIA
7 April 2024
MEMORANDUM FOR ROTC UNIT CADRE
ROTC CADETS APPLYING TO 71S
FROM: HQ AFOSI 71S CFM
SUBJECT: 71S Direct Accession Board Application Guidance (Calendar Year 2024)
1. An Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) officer is a federally credentialed
special agent serving in a wide spectrum of roles conducting law enforcement and
counterintelligence services in support of Air and Space Force commanders and Department of
Defense senior leaders. AFOSI officers spend most of their career operating within the AFOSI
Field Operating Agency but have out-of-command opportunities as well. AFOSI is 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. Cadets
already assigned an AFSC (Rated or Non-Rated) may still compete for AFOSI (71S) duty
and will be re-classified to 71S if accepted.
2. Calendar Year 2024 (CY24) applicants should earn their degree and commission between 1
Oct 24 and 30 Sep 25. Complete application packages must be submitted in electronic format
no later than 13 Sep 24. 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. ROTC Detachment Commanders should include key
Wing Leadership positions held by the cadet (previous & projected) as well as the cadet rank (#X
of XX cadets) within the graduating class, the overall Detachment, and Field Training. ROTC
Detachment Commanders may submit the Duty Title/Description and cadet ranking in a separate
memo and e-mail it directly to the AFOSI 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 / AFOSI). Other
recommended content for the ROTC Detachment Commander letter is a brief explanation on any
ROTC Awards (including scholarships) received to give the Selection Board more rounded
(Note: There are a few changes to the application format
this year. (1) The Form 53 is no longer required. The Applicant Information Sheet has been
updated to collect the information previously collected from the Form 53. (2) Cadet career field
preferences are also no longer required the presumption is that if they are applying for the AFOSI
selection board, 71S is their number one choice.)
4. Interested cadets should proactively contact at least one AFOSI
the application process (refer to http://www.OSI.af.mil/ for unit listing). Mission permitting,
AFOSI unit leadership may allow the cadet to shadow their unit. This ongoing relationship
between the cadet and the AFOSI unit affords an opportunity for cadets to better understand the
realities of the AFOSI profession and gives AFOSI a broader perspective on cadet suitability for
AFOSI duty. AFOSI is an incredibly unique career field; cadets should commit themselves to
making an informed decision about applying to AFOSI. Some portions of the formal application
process must be conducted by the local AFOSI unit, so applicants are strongly encouraged to
initiate contact well before the 1 September deadline to ensure that the AFOSI portions of the
application are completed on time. Any documents filled out at the AFOSI unit will be submitted
separately by the AFOSI unit. Applicants will conduct two interviews as part of the AFOSI
screening process: a formal interview by the AFOSI unit and a virtual board intervie. Interested
cadets must be willing to demonstrate their language capabilities, if cited in the application.
5. The number of cadets selected for AFOSI duty changes annually in accordance with
Department of Air Force (DAF) manpower needs. Historically, the number of applicants far
exceed selection limitations. The selection board, comprised of senior Special Agents, reviews
-rounded and diverse selects are the
goal. DAF diversity includes but is not limited to: personal life experiences, geographic
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. While not prerequisites, many were science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
ROTC unit, and held Wing or Group level (or equivalent) leadership roles within their ROTC
units. A whole person concept is at the forefront for selection consideration. While high GPAs and
STEM degrees indicate successful academic accomplishments, the nature of AFOSI
responsibilities requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, making candidates who
can talk, listen, write, and brief with confidence desirable. Additionally, because many AFOSI
units are small, AFOSI seeks candidates who are adept at working within small team dynamics
and who have demonstrated the ability to lead in those environments.
6. Serving as an AFOSI Special Agent warrants a great deal of responsibility and autonomy.
Demonstrated maturity and strong leadership qualities are necessary, and all 71S officers are
expected to serve as informal and formal leaders throughout their career. Direct accession officers
often only have one or two assignments as field agents before they are challenged with formal
leadership roles, to include command. Before recommending a cadet, ROTC Detachment
Commanders should consider if they would want the applicant handling an investigation involving
their own unit or personal family; hesitation should translate into constructive feedback with the
cadet and a non-recommendation for AFOSI duty. Successful applicants are detailed-oriented,
exude discretion, employ emotional intelligence within their daily interactions, and comfortably
manage constant changes as well as constructive conflict management. AFOSI supports, fosters,
and values an inclusive and diverse force with equitable treatment of every member.
7. HQ AFOSI will disseminate a demographics memorandum to HQ ROTC after the selection
board concludes 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 AFOSI Agent Suitability Investigation. Cadets who are
ultimately not approved for AFOSI 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, email
LAURINDA M. REIFSTECK, Col, USAF
AFOSI 71S Career Field Manager
Attachments:
1. 71S Application Format Requirements (CY24)
2. Privacy Act of 1974 Cover Sheet
Attachment 1
71S Application Format Requirements (CY24)
Electronic submissions: Create one .pdf file titled:
CY24 71S Application-LASTNAME, FirstName, Middle Initial_ROTC Det XXX, University Name
1.
Applicants will email submissions to [email protected]
2.
Applicants must include their ROTC Commander in the CC block of email submission
3.
A receipt confirmation will be sent; follow-up within 48-hours if no response received
4.
All documents must be consolidated, in order, and have separate cover sheets 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:
.)
Item 4: Applicant Information Sheet
A PDF document (Times New Roman, 12-
AFROTC
acceptable):
To Be Completed by the Applicant:
1. Applicant Name:
2.
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:
8. ROTC Unit Number and School Name:
9. Undergraduate Academic Major:
10. Cumulative Gradepoint Average:
11. Commission Month/Year:
12. Current Classification/AFSC:
13. ***OSI Interview Date, Interviewing Agent, and Unit***
14. Prior Military Service:
a. Base:
b. AFSC/MOS:
c. # Years # Months:
d. Date of Separation
15. AFOQT Scores:
16. 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) Please annotate if a previous
Cadet Wing Staff member:
2. Cadet Rank Within ROTC Detachment, graduating class, and Field Training:
_______________________
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
