What rank is after Air Force Academy?

Asked by: Prof. Ike Upton  |  Last update: January 23, 2026
Score: 5/5 (75 votes)

As a commissioned officer in the Air Force, immediately upon graduation, you will enter the Air Force as an O-1, which is a second lieutenant. You will work your way up as O-2, O-3, etc. Each rank has a pay grade that begins with a letter “O” for officers and “E” for enlisted.

What is the order of rank in the Air Force?

Here's a list of the U.S. Air Force officer ranks:
  • Second lieutenant. Second lieutenant is the rank given to newly commissioned officers. ...
  • First lieutenant. ...
  • Captain. ...
  • Major. ...
  • Lieutenant colonel. ...
  • Colonel. ...
  • Brigadier general. ...
  • Major general.

What happens after the Air Force Academy?

You will accept an appointment and serve as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force for at least eight years after graduation, five of which must be active duty and the remainder can be served as inactive reserve.

What rank do you get after military academy?

After graduation, all cadets become second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. But before moving to their first unit, they attend a basic officer leader course and other training courses with lieutenants from programs around the country - to further build their knowledge and develop expertise in their chosen career field.

What rank should you be after 12 years in the Air Force?

The average duty time before becoming a Technical Sergeant is around 12 years.

Rank Structure of Air Force Academy | Structure

31 related questions found

What rank do you leave the Air Force Academy with?

As a commissioned officer in the Air Force, immediately upon graduation, you will enter the Air Force as an O-1, which is a second lieutenant.

What do you get after 20 years in the Air Force?

Defined Benefit: Monthly retired pay for life after at least 20 years of service (so if you retire at 20 years of service, you will get 40% of your highest 36 months of base pay).

What rank are Air Force Academy graduates?

Each cadet graduates with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.

Do cadets outrank enlisted?

As per the Department of Defense's precedence of military rank structure, cadets and midshipmen from the service academies, including West Point, outstrip enlisted grades in terms of protocol, demonstrating slight superiority in terms of official status.

How hard is it to get into Air Force Academy?

How hard it is to get into the Air Force Academy? Many places you'll see admission stats claiming that USAFA has around a 10% admission rate. This is true if you include the thousands of students who inquire about admission. In reality, the offers of admission for QUALIFIED applicants range from 50-60%.

What GPA do you need to get into the Air Force Academy?

You should also have a 3.8 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as United States Air Force Academy, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.

How long do you have to be in the Air Force to get free college?

To earn this benefit, you'll typically need at least three years of continuous active duty service, or two years if that was the length of your agreement. You can also earn the Montgomery GI Bill under the 2 by 4 Program if you enter the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and serve four more years.

How much do you get paid after the Air Force Academy?

As of Jan 20, 2025, the average hourly pay for an Air Force Academy in the United States is $21.15 an hour.

What rank do you have to be in the Air Force to fly?

Rank of second lieutenant, attained through the Air Force Academy, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps or Officer Training School, is necessary, and pilots must specialize in a specific type of aircraft or duty.

What disqualifies you from joining the Air Force?

Un-united fractures, history of instability of a major joint, certain retained orthopedic fixation devices, severe scoliosis, or any condition that could interfere with daily participation in rigorous physical training or athletic programs, wearing of military equipment, or detract from military bearing and appearance ...

What rank is a petty officer?

All E-1s through E-3s are known as seaman, fireman, airman, constructionman, or hospitalman. E-4 through E-6 are called petty officers. All E-7s are called chief petty officer, E-8s senior chief petty officer, and E-9s master chief petty officer.

Do cadets get called sir?

Officer cadets and midshipmen wear one, two, or three white stripes on their shoulderboards to denote their seniority. The graduating class of officer cadets wear peaked caps and berets depending on their vocations, and are accorded the privilege of being addressed "sir" by junior officer cadets.

Does an E9 outrank an O1?

Officers outrank ALL enlisted, no matter how long they have served. For example, an E-9 who has served for over 30 years will be outranked by a 22-year-old O-1 who is fresh out of officer training. That might seem surprising, but it's just the way the military works.

Does ROTC give you a higher rank?

Taking ROTC in college is a great alternative to enlisting in the military out of high school. This is because you can earn your degree first, which leads to higher-paying positions in your future career. You also can enter the military as an officer, which is a higher rank than if you enlisted.

How prestigious is the Air Force Academy?

The Air Force Academy ranks #2 among public schools. The “Best Colleges” report also ranks the Air Force Academy #8 among national liberal arts colleges.

What is the most common rank in the Air Force?

Most airmen graduate basic military training with the rank of airman basic (E-1). An airman basic is an apprentice who is acquiring and demonstrating knowledge of military customs, courtesies, traditions and Air Force standards while learning military and technical skills.

What is the dropout rate for the Air Force Academy?

The United States Air Force Academy boasts impressive graduation rates, with 86% of students graduating within six years, placing it in the top 10% of institutions. The four-year graduation rate is even more remarkable at 85%, ranking it in the top 5%.

Do retired military get social security?

Military personnel have been covered under Social Security since 1957, and those who served in 2001 or earlier receive special credits that augment their earnings for the purpose of computing Social Security benefits. For those who served between 1957 and 1977, credits equal $300 for each quarter of active-duty pay.

Do you get free housing in the Air Force?

For those who are authorized to live off base, you'll receive a housing allowance that can be used to pay for off-base housing. To help you get accustomed to the military lifestyle, Airmen without families will start out living in dorms.

How much is E7 retirement pay with 20 years?

What is the retirement pay for an E7 with 20 years? As of 2022, the pay calculation projection for an E7 retiring with exactly 20 years of service would receive $27,827 per year. It's important to note the present value of almost $800,000 for a 40-year-old receiving this pension indefinitely.