What Are the Requirements to Enlist in the Air Force Reserve?
Enlistment candidates for the Air Force reserve must be fluent in English, qualify for security clearance, receive an adequate ASVAB score, have no serious criminal record, and meet the age, health, height and weight requirements. Participation requirements include six year of active status and two years of inactive status.
Candidates for the Air Force reserve who have not previously served in the military must be between the ages of 17 and 38, unless they are medical professionals, attorneys or clergy. Those who have served in the military before can be 40 years old plus the number of years they have served. Candidates must pass a medical test and have no specific medical conditions that are disqualifying. Single parents cannot join the Air Force reserves unless they have a family care determination form signed by a third party willing to oversee the children while the reservist is performing military duty. Non-U.S. citizens can enlist if they are U.S. permanent residents with green cards and meet all other requirements.
During their six years of active participation, reservists have one weekend of training a month and one two-week tour per year. During the subsequent two years of inactive status, reservists no longer need to train. However, for the full eight years, the U.S. President may deploy reservists at any time.
