OFFICER
TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Squadron Officer School (SOS) SOS Eligibility SOS AFDW Procedures SOS Website
SOS Course Description

Squadron Officer School (SOS) develops Air and Space minded leaders primed to prevail in competitive environments. The course is structured around three areas: leadership, design thinking, and joint warfare. Students engage in classroom and hands-on application events to know themselves to lead themselves, know their team to lead their team, foster a strategic and creative mindset, resolve conflict effectively, collaboratively solve problems, and gain foundational knowledge on airpower doctrine, international paradigms, and joint all-domain warfare to learn to lead in uncertain environments.

MAJCOMs are given quotas for in-resident attendance and assign members based on member preference. ​Prospective students should apply for the program through their Unit Training Managers, who will send their names to the MAJCOM for selection. Members are not allowed to request to be individually scheduled.

This is an AF Centrally Funded course.

Eligibility Requirements

The SOS program targets all active-duty USAF and USSF captains with at least four but less than seven years total active federal commission service (TAFCS); USAFR and ANG captains; select GS 9–12 (and equivalent) civilians with two years of Air Force civil service experience; and a limited number of allied international officers. Unless approved by the SOS Commandant, no officer or civilian with a temporary medical profile or limiting physical condition may attend SOS. All students on medical profile, please see SOS website for instructions. 

Active duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard students must have a current, passing fitness score that will remain current through course completion. DoD civilians must meet current Air Force Personnel Test (AFPT) standards and provide proof of a passing score, certified by a unit or wing Physical Training Leader (PTL), prior to attending SOS in residence.

Visit the Air University website,  https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/SOS/Display-Article/Article/1043031/eligibility-requirements/, for additional information.

AFDW Procedures

AFDW is allotted a certain amount of seats per class iteration. The fair share of seat distribution is divided amongst AFDW supported agencies as follows (subject to change within Fiscal Year):

  • AFDW HQ Staff: 1
  • 316 WG: 5
  • 11 WG: 1
  • 844 CG: 1
  • HAF/SAF/AF Elements: 23

In-Residence breakdown are as follows:

  • 4-week class
  • Students will immediately begin in-residence instructions.
  • 7-year TAFCSD waivers will be required.
  • Students on a duty limiting profile cannot attend SOS unless they have an SOS-approved Exception to Policy (ETP).

COVID-19: On day one of class,  all SOS students will be required to show the following:

  • Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
  • OR proof of an approved or in adjudication Vaccine waiver AND, if stationed outside of Maxwell/Gunter, an Under Secretary of the Air Force waiver authorizing non-mission critical travel to attend SOS.
  • Students that fail to comply with requirement will be sent home at their unit’s expense.
SOS Website
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ACC Sword Look ACC Sword Look Eligibility ACC Sword Look: AFDW Procedures
Course Description

The ACC SWORD LOOK is a 3-day professional development course that is a unique opportunity to learn about ACC and its contributions to the Air Force effort of developing future leaders. This course is designed to provide attendees with the ACC mission overview, senior leader and staff engagement, professional development, and team building. 

This course should be treated as a TDY in-place.

Eligibility Requirements

The ACC SWORD LOOK Officer Development Course is intended to target Captains not in the Wing’s top 10% of their peer group and who could benefit from additional leadership training that would help push them into the top 10%.

Commanders should specifically target Captains (not Major selects or Lieutenants pinning on Captain) in the top 10-20% of their peer group with various functional backgrounds, and who are not in Executive Officer or Aide positions.

AFDW Procedures

AFDW is allotted a certain amount of seats. The fair share of seat distribution is divided amongst AFDW supported agencies as follows (subject to change within the Fiscal Year):

  • AFDW HQ Staff: 1
  • 316 WG: 1
  • 11 WG: 1
  • 844 CG: 1
  • HAF/SAF/AF Elements: 1

Package Requirements: Each AFDW Staff Directorate and the supported agencies must submit one (1) nomination with recommendation letter endorsed by unit commander or Director, most recent OPR, and a SURF in one PDF file to the AFDW Training Office POCs by the established suspense.

Once AFDW nominees are selected and notified, the course and registration instructions with link will be sent to the nominees to register for the course. Once ACC/A1KB has confirmed the member’s registration, e-mail confirmation will be sent with provided instructions for the course.

IDE / SDE IDE / SDE Eligibility IDE / SDE: AFDW Procedures
Course Description

The Air Force Officer Professional Military Education (OPME) Program is central to a Continuum of Education (COE) that spans an officer’s professional career. Beyond pre-commissioning education, which constitutes the first level of the COE, Developmental Education enhances your development with the following programs.

Intermediate/Senior Developmental Education (IDE/SDE) (December- August)
Notional Timeline (changes from year to year-see current PSDM on myFSS for official timeline)

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Eligibility Requirements
AFDW Procedures

AFDW is allotted a certain amount of seats. The fair share of seat distribution is divided amongst AFDW supported agencies as follows (subject to change within the Fiscal Year):

  • AFDW HQ Staff: 1
  • 316 WG: 1
  • 11 WG: 1
  • 844 CG: 1
  • HAF/SAF/AF Elements: 1

Package Requirements: Each AFDW Staff Directorate and the supported agencies must submit one (1) nomination with recommendation letter endorsed by unit commander or Director, most recent OPR, and a SURF in one PDF file to the AFDW Training Office POCs by the established suspense.

Once AFDW nominees are selected and notified, the course and registration instructions with link will be sent to the nominees to register for the course. Once ACC/A1KB has confirmed the member’s registration, e-mail confirmation will be sent with provided instructions for the course.