News United States Air Force
 Update: Airmen interested in learning aviation fundamentals, becoming rated officer can apply for Rated Prep Program until Dec. 31Published Nov. 23, 2021
                        
                        By Capt. Kenya Pettway
                        
                        
                        Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
                **JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) --**
                The Air Force Rated Preparatory Program (RPP) provides qualified Airmen interested in cross-training to an Air Force rated career field the opportunity to gain and strengthen basic aviation skills. Program participants receive self-paced ground training, approximately eight flight hours in a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 Skylane, and additional training in FAA-certified simulators—helping them become more competitive for rated selection boards. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Lino M. Espinoza, Jr.)

    











Active duty Air Force officers and enlisted personnel interested in becoming rated officers have until Dec. 31 to apply for the Spring 2022 Air Force Rated Preparatory Program, scheduled for March 20-25, 2022, and March 27-April 1, 2022, in Denton, Texas.
U.S. Air Force rated career fields consist of **pilots**, **combat systems officers**, **air battle managers** and **remotely piloted aircraft pilots**.
RPP provides qualified Airmen interested in cross-training to an Air Force rated career field the opportunity to gain and strengthen basic aviation skills.
“The Rated Preparatory Program provides a unique opportunity for officers and enlisted personnel to become rated officers,” said **Brig. Gen. Brenda P. Cartier**, AETC director of operations and communications. “Through RPP, qualified Airmen gain skills they may have not had the opportunity or resources to gain before entering the Air Force. We want to provide our Airmen the tools to pursue their lifelong dream of flying in the Air Force — a dream they may have never thought possible.”
Program participants will receive self-paced ground training, about eight flight hours in a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 Skylane, and additional training in FAA-certified simulators — helping them become more competitive for rated selection boards.
"RPP has proven successful in improving students' **Air Force Officer Qualifying Test** and **Test of Basic Aviation Skills** scores, which are considered at rated selection boards, by about 40 percent," said Kathryn Gifford, AETC rated diversity improvement program analyst. "Of the 93 RPP students trained in fiscal years 19 and 20, 70 applied to the undergraduate flying training board, with 55 (78%) of applicants selected for a rated position."
Airmen who can meet the requirements below are encouraged to apply.**Officer requirements:**
Be of high moral character.
Obtain group commander (or higher) approval and endorsement (on application).
Score at least minimum passing for the Air Force physical fitness test.
Take the AFOQT and TBAS to receive **Pilot Candidate Selection Method** initial scoring results prior to RPP. Then, retake the AFOQT and TBAS two-four weeks after completion of RPP. Note: The AFOQT and TBAS cannot be attempted more than three times total. RPP officials will provide an exception to policy for RPP graduates who require a waiver for retest intervals, and for those who have tested twice already.
Have less than five hours of total civilian flight time. Note: Applicants with greater than five hours of flight time will be considered on a space-available basis.
Prior to attending RPP, obtain the appropriate Air Force flight physical specific to the rated carrier field. For example, Initial Flying Class 1 for pilots.
Meet UFT board requirements post RPP in accordance with **AFMAN 36-2100**.
Review Civil Air Patrol-assigned study material prior to class start date.**Enlisted personnel requirements:**
Must be under 33 years of age on March 20, 2022.
Prior to attending RPP, have or obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with at least a 2.5 GPA.
After completion of RPP, apply to an Air Force officer **commissioning source** at the next available opportunity.
Airmen interested in applying to the program can find additional information via the call for nominations on MyPers **here** (CAC required).
For any questions, email **AF.Rated.PrepProgramWorkflow@us.af.mil** with “Attn: Rated Prep Program” as the subject line.
The Air Force Rated Preparatory Program is led by **Air Education and Training Command**’s Rated Diversity Improvement Team, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, and supported by **Civil Air Patrol**.
RPP is not a commissioning program, nor does it guarantee participants will be selected for an Air Force rated position.**Editor's note: The application deadline for the RPP has been extended to Dec. 31, 2021.*AFWN 



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