Update on 125 Applicant Limit!

One of the most nerve-wracking parts of the new TFOT guide is the following update about a 125 applicant limit:

“1.4. BOARD SCHEDULE INFORMATION – The Board schedule is located on AFRS AF Portal page under “Apply for a Commission via TFIT/TFOT (Active Duty Enlisted Airman)” link. The Board schedule has firm application cut-off dates. All applications must be complete and in place with AFRS/RSOCL no later than (NLT) 1600 hour Central Standard Time (CST). An application submission link will be activated two weeks before the application cut-off date. Refer to the Board schedule for cutoff  dates. The first 125 applications will be processed to meet the Board. The link will be deactivated once 125 records are received. Those submitted pass the 125 max will be pushed to the next available same type Board.”

Many people have been slipping in questions about this new rule to AFRS and it sounds to me like this rule was originally designed with a different intent and will likely not be enforced.  Here is the info I have gathered over the past few months.  If you have talked to AFRS directly, post a comment and I will add your input to this post.

17OT02 Facebook Group, March 9, 2017

“I called and talked to Rose today as I received a rip with an ADSC.  I am good to sign it without it effecting me.  I also asked if we should expect any delay and she said it is looking like there will be a delay, but did not give an estimate.

She said that the “first 125 applicants” was to be deleted from the current guide before being sent and that is not the case. You still cannot be part of two boards at once and starting with 17OT03 you will only be allowed 3 attempts in a year without having a “cool down” to reapply.  After your third attempt in a year you must wait a full year before submitting again.”

Facebook Message From Future OTS Applicant, March 22, 2017

“I wanted to pass on a friendly word after receiving contact from AFRS.  I asked them about the 125 cutoff in the new TFOT guide and they responded that this was intended when 17OT03 was still a NAF board and won’t be applied to the active/civilian boards.  I then replied asking explicitly that as long as everyone applies before the submission deadline their packet will be seen by the board and she replied “yes”.  This is a huge relief for me, might be for others too.”