Can a non-U.S. citizen join the U.S. Air Force?
Enlistment into the U.S. Air Force, or any branch of the U.S. military, by citizens of countries other than the United States is limited to those foreign nationals who are legally residing in the United States and possess an Immigrations and Naturalization Service Alien Registration Card (INS Form I-151/551 -- Commonly known as a "Green Card"). Applicants must be between 17 and 35; meet the mental, moral, and physical standards for enlistment; and must speak, read and write English fluently.
Note: The U.S. military branches cannot assist foreign nationals in obtaining admittance into the United States. Questions concerning immigration to the United States should be asked of the U.S. Embassy. Only after immigration procedures are completed and an applicant is legally residing in the United States may an application for enlistment be accepted.
Furthermore, in order to be commissioned an officer in the U.S. Air Force, one must be a native-born or naturalized United States citizen.
How can I obtain copies of my military records?
Individual military departments, including the Air Force do not maintain files or records pertaining to individuals no longer on active duty. When an individual is separated from military service (because of retirement, discharge from active duty, or death), his/her Field Personnel File (containing all military and health records) is forwarded for storage to the National Personnel Records Center (Military). The Records Center is under the jurisdiction of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) of the United States Government. An individual's complete service record is available to the former service member or, if deceased, to his/her next of kin (parents, spouse, or children). Limited information (such as dates of service, awards, and training) is available to anyone. Not available to the general public is information which would invade an individual's privacy; for example, medical records, Social Security number, or present address. If requesting the records of a relative, a requester should mention the relationship to the former member (brother, uncle, or other). There is no charge for this service to former service members or their next of kin. For others, a nominal fee is charged for research and reproduction costs. Files at the Records Center are maintained as historical records only and are not updated to reflect current data on the former service member. The address for the National Personnel Records Center is:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Blvd
St. Louis MO 63132
Phone: 314-538-2050
For individuals compiling family histories, NARA provides assistance to those interested in genealogy. NARA normally charges a nominal fee for research and reproduction costs. Their address is:
National Archives and Records Administration
8th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20408
202-501-5400
How can I obtain historical and heraldry information on the USAF?
Questions can be sent to one of the following agencies:
United States Air Force Historical Research Agency
(This office is the repository for heraldry information)
HQ AFHRA/RSA
600 Chennault Circle
Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6424
Phone: (334) 953-2966
DSN 493-2966
Air Force History Support Office
B-3 Brookley Avenue, Box 94
Bolling AFB DC 20032-5000
Phone: (202) 404-2264
DSN 754-2264
For the Department of Defense and other Military Departments, historical files are stored in repositories under the jurisdiction of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Information from records maintained by NARA is available to the public. For a nominal fee, NARA will reproduce documents of interest.
National Archives and Records Agency
8th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20408
Phone: (202) 523-3220
Another source is the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office (GPO). The GPO stocks and sells over 24,000 different publications, periodicals, and subscription services. Topics range from accidents and accident prevention to zoology, and include military items relating to the topics of interest mentioned in letters to the Department of Defense. A listing of Government periodicals and subscription services sold by GPO is available to citizens at no charge. Citizens are also encouraged to avail themselves of resources of local public and school libraries, many of which routinely receive GPO listings. Their adddress is:
Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office (GPO)
Washington, DC 20402
(202) 512-1800
Government Printing Office
How can I submit a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request?
Details for how to complete a FOIA request are here.
How do I find out what will be expected of me at basic training?
For information on basic military training held at Lackland AFB base, visit their Web site here.
Is there a central email directory for Air Force people?
There is no central email directory for Air Force people.
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