How to Join — Officer

Interservice Transfer

The Inter-Service Transfer process can be long and drawn-out, but if you are willing to be persistent and patient after being selected at STO/TACPO/CRO Phase II, an AFSPECWAR career is absolutely worth it. Below is an overview of the steps required to accomplish an IST.

AFSPECWAR Selection Process

The 19ZXA Special Tactics Officer (STO), 19ZXC Combat Rescue Officer (CRO), and 19ZXB Tactical Air Control Party Officer (TACP-O) selection process is independent from the IST process. Contact the respective selection authority to begin your application:

• —STO Selection: 24SOWSTTS.Assessments.RAS@us.af.mil
• —CRO Selection: cro.selection@us.af.mil
• —TACP-O Selection: 6ctsdet2.tacp.officer@us.af.mil

Eligibility Criteria

• —Fully qualified in accordance with the Air Force Officer Classification Directory
• —Meet the eligibility criteria for appointments in DAFMAN 36-2032, Military Recruiting and Accessions, Chapter 5
• —Must be currently serving on active duty—those who have separated or are in the Individual Ready Reserve are not eligible
• —Must request interservice transfer according to the rules and regulations of their parent service
• —Officers in a deferred promotion status (passed over) are ineligible

Please reference the MyFSS page for IST for general information.

Parent Service Authorities

Officers must request interservice transfer according to the following parent service regulations:

• —Army: AR 614-120 (Army Human Resources Command)
• —Navy: SECNAVINST 1000.7F (Navy Personnel Command) and MILPERSMAN (1910-102)
• —Marines: SECNAVINST 1000.7F (Marine Corps Commandant Manpower Management) and MCO 1900.16
• —Coast Guard: COMDTINST 1000.4B (Coast Guard Military Separations)

IST Process Overview

Before beginning the official IST process, it is recommended that you socialize the possibility of a conditional release with your current career field Assignment Manager, Developer, or Detailer. This informal step helps you understand whether a release is realistic before investing time in the formal application process. The official process begins when you submit a Phase I application.

Additional Guidelines

• —Officer must agree to serve the minimum period of their initial Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC)
• —Officer must serve at least 6 consecutive months on active duty immediately before the central selection board's convening date to be eligible for a promotion selection board
• —IST applications are only considered once during a 12-month period

Application Package Requirements

These requirements are subject to change; current requirements are provided by the Air Force IST Program Manager.

General Documents

1. Parent Service Release Approval — Guard/Reserve officers only: DD Form 368, Request for Conditional Release. Release date must be 10 months from the date signed.
2. DAF Form 125— Application for Extended Active Duty with the USAF. Identify status type (AD/AFR/AGR/TR/IMA/ART/etc.) in Block 6; check “Other” in Section 14; type “DAFMAN 36-2032, IST Program” in Section 21.
3. Military Human Resource Record (MHRR) — Request parent service send your MHRR to the IST Program Manager via AMRDEC Safe Access File Exchange.
4. All performance reports — combined in one PDF file.
5. Commander's statement — indicating deferred promotion status and whether any derogatory/adverse information is on file.
6. Source of original commission.
7. Resume— with a statement indicating why the transfer is in the best interest of national defense and the individual officer.
8. Promotion/Grade History Documentation — promotion orders, appointment orders, etc.
9. Current Record of Emergency Data.
10. Current Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
11. Verified Statement of Service — including current Reserve time and points (Point Credit Summary).
12. Security investigation and clearance — type of completed investigation from the officer's organization security manager.
13. Statement of Understanding — from DAFMAN 36-2032, Attachment 8, para A8.14.
14. AF Form 2030— USAF Drug and Alcohol Abuse Certificate. Include a drug abuse circumstances statement.
15. AF Form 4380— Air Force Special Needs Screener. Leave projected installation and departure date blank.
16. Service Career Data Brief — Army: Soldier Talent Profile Brief; Navy: Community or Career Pattern Brief; Marines: Career Planning Brief.
17. Copies of college transcripts.

SWA Medical Clearance

It is recommended that candidates complete a SWA medical clearance before attending Phase II, but it is not required. You will not be allowed to enter the training pipeline without a certified SWA Medical Clearance.

• —Schedule an appointment at an Air Force Medical Treatment Facility Flight Medicine Clinic
• —Reference document: Medical Standards Directory (MSD), AFMAN 48-123 (8 Dec 2020)
• —When certified, your DD Form 2808 will have a blue stamp stating “Medically Qualified for: SWA, 19ZXA/B/C”
• —Current 1ZX's need to submit a current copy of their AF Form 422 and will not receive a DD Form 2808

Medical Documents

18. DD Form 2808— Current Report of Medical Examination.
19. DD Form 2807-1— Current Report of Medical History, including medical facility info, point of contact, and phone number. Applicants age 39+ require an electrocardiogram and lipid profile.

Processing & Timeline

Once approved by the parent service and submitted to the Air Force IST Program Manager, processing can take up to six months from the date of receipt. The program manager will contact the applicant upon receipt and will return applications that do not meet eligibility criteria without action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Points of Contact

Related Resources

• —DAFMAN 36-2032_DAFGM2024-01, Military Recruiting and Accessions
• —DAFMAN 11-402, Aviation, Missile, and Parachutist Service
• —AFMAN 48-123, Medical Standards Directory (SWA Medical Clearance)