How to Join — Officer

AFROTC Cadets

AFROTC cadets can pursue one of three AFSPECWAR officer career fields: Special Tactics Officer (STO), Tactical Air Control Party Officer (TACPO), or Combat Rescue Officer (CRO). The 19Z AFSCs are the only Air Force jobs that require a pre-commissioning screening. Below are the academic year and summer programs available to prepare for the required week-long screening called Phase II.

Phase I & Phase II

  • —Phase I: A panel of career field experts reviews and stratifies applications submitted by the deadline.
  • —Phase II: Top applicants are invited to attend a rigorous, week-long field screening process (TDY funded by ACC or AFSOC).
  • —Cadets are evaluated on 8 AFSPECWAR attributes: Stress Tolerance, Drive, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Communication, Trainability, Integrity, and Physical Fitness.

Academic Year Programs

01

Special Warfare Clubs (SWC)

AFROTC Detachments should establish a local Special Warfare Club to enable quality training and proper oversight so cadets train effectively and safely for Phase II.

  • —Templates available on afspecwar.com under the ROTC/SWC tab, including an OPORD, Annual Training Plan, CONOPs, WARNOs, ORM, lesson plans, and a 4-year cadet physical development plan
  • —For password access to templates, Det CCs or cadre must email eric.sanderson.2@us.af.mil and mcharvat@t3iinc.com

02

T3i Special Warfare Field Developers (FD)

SW Field Developers are available around the nation to physically develop cadets for selection through structured development sessions.

  • —FDs are all prior SW members with a strength & conditioning certification
  • —Insured and under an AETC/A3 contract
  • —Sessions focus on land and water fitness techniques to prepare for AFSPECWAR screening and selection
  • —For connection with T3i FDs, Det CCs must email eric.sanderson.2@us.af.mil

03

Special Warfare AFROTC Weekend (SWAW)

Each year, 8 Detachments volunteer to host SWAWs across the nation, providing cadets an immersive SW experience.

  • —Events include orientation of AFSPECWAR career fields and missions, land and water physical training, problem solving, leadership, and a mini-Phase II challenge
  • —2 SWAWs per Region per school year, split evenly across the country
  • —Helps cadets solidify their desire to pursue STO, TACPO, or CRO and build connections with fellow cadets

04

Connection with a Special Warfare Unit

Cadets can speak with AFSPECWAR members to learn more about life as a young officer in the career field. These opportunities deliver a holistic view of AFSPECWAR beyond just selection preparation.

Summer Programs

01

Special Warfare Orientation Course (SWOC)

A condensed two-week course held twice a summer at the United States Air Force Academy. Over 40 cadets attend each session.

  • —Week 1: Land and water fitness, problem solving, AFSPECWAR missions, and ground airman skills, culminating in a Mini-Phase II
  • —Week 2: Full Mission Profiles covering Global Access, Precision Strike, and Personnel Recovery missions
  • —Competitive application process — factors include Det CC evaluation, SW fitness score (IFT), SWC involvement, and interest in commissioning as 19Z
  • —The SWOC Execution Plan and supporting documents are posted in ROTC – Enterprise > Guidance > AFROTC ARMS on Teams

02

SWOC Cadets-in-Charge (CICs)

Cadets who have attended SWOC may apply to return as CICs to help facilitate a 14-day SWOC session.

  • —CICs perform duties within the USAFA SWOC organization structure, learning to account for personnel, meet course objectives, and organize logistics
  • —CICs report to uniformed and contracted OICs responsible for SWOC

03

SW Intermediate Immersion

A 5-day AFSPECWAR opportunity at Maxwell AFB for cadets who cannot attend SWOC.

  • —Available following completion of MAX-1 or MAX-2 Field Training
  • —Exposes cadets to the demands of the 19Z training pipeline and career fields

04

Ops Air Force at a Special Warfare Unit

Cadets can perform their post-Field Training Ops AF at a base with a SW Unit.

  • —Perform normal Ops AF activities, then visit a SW Unit over 2-3 days to learn more about the job and life as a Lt/Capt

ROTC-Specific Application Notes

  • —Include your Field Training Reports in place of standard performance reports
  • —Your ROTC instructor can serve as your PT test administrator
  • —If you do not have access to a .mil or .gov email, have an active duty leader submit your application on your behalf
  • —Highlight leadership experiences and participation in any SW preparation programs on your resume

Questions?

Contact eric.sanderson.2@us.af.mil