How to Become a U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Officer: Step-by-Step Guide

Imagine being responsible for all the branches within the Special Tactics team, including Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen, and Special Recon operators. That is the honor waiting for you on the other side of an extensive selection process.

As a U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Officer (STO) you’ll be assigned to a Special Tactics Squadron (STS) to lead elite teams that integrate air and ground operations for Special Ops. Primarily, you’ll be tasked with airfield seizure, combat search and rescue, fire support coordination, reconnaissance, and personnel recovery.

To become a U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Officer (STO), you must first be a commissioned Air Force officer (AFSC 13CX) through Officer Training School (OTS), the Air Force Academy (USAFA), or an ROTC program. You can then apply to enter the 13CX STO training track and complete selection assessment phases I and II at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Selection includes submitting a comprehensive application package, physical and leadership evaluations and successful completion of STO Phase II assessment at the Florida base.

Other requirements include exceptional PFT scores, a complete psychological evaluation clearance, and the rest of the whole nine yards as per usual. Let’s start with the step-by-step guide.

1. Eligibility Criteria

As with all of our guides, let’s start with the most basic requirements for you to be eligible for application: 

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Have a bachelor’s degree (no specific major required)
• Age must be between 18 and 41 (≤ 42nd birthday)
• Must commission before age 35
• Must be Air Force Active Duty
• Minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Ability to obtain/maintain SECRET clearance; Top Secret preferred
• Must achieve a minimum score of 15 on the verbal and 10 on the quantitative sections of the AFOQT
• Pass Class III Flight Physical (vision correctable to 20/20, normal colour vision, no speech impediment)
• Must meet and exceed the Air Force Special Warfare IFT and OFT standards
• Be a top performer in ROTC

Note: The above criteria are limited to those already serving or commissioned as officers. Enlisted members, ROTC and academy cadets, and college graduates must retrain or commission for STO.

Here’s how the pathway for each goes: 

For Enlisted Personnel (Active Duty Airmen),

Apply for commissioning → Complete the STO selection process (including physical requirements) → Submit application package → Start OTS school → Begin STO-specific training

For ROTC and Academy Cadets,

Enrol in AFROTC → Commission as second lieutenant → Get selected by displaying exceptional academic, physical and leadership qualities → Graduate and commission → Begin STO training pipeline

For Direct Commissioning for College Graduates,

Contact Special Warfare recruiter → Meet eligibility → Enter SWAP → Submit complete application package (Phase I) → Clear Phase II → Receive an STO slot → Attend OTS and commission → Begin training for STO upon selection

Check out the application deadlines here.

2. Physical and Mental Requirements

As an STO, you’re expected to be at the top of your game. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. There are two standardized fitness assessments that every STO candidate must exceed:

I. Air Force Initial Fitness Test (IFT)

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Before you move ahead, many prospects benefit from attending the Special Tactics Initial Familiarization Course (IFAM). This five-day program is for those seeking hands-on experience and a realistic preview of Special Tactics careers.

II. Special Warfare Operational Fitness Test

The Tier 2 Special Warfare Operation Fitness Test (OFT) is designed for all members looking for a spot in the Special Tactics Team. The purpose of this test is to  filter out the SW operators who have the desired skills and physical abilities necessary for this job.

The Tier 2 OFT is conducted throughout multiple phases of your training pipeline. And you also don’t have to take the Air Force Tier 1 PT test. The minimum scores needed to be considered as a qualifying candidate are as follows:

Recent research conducted on the Physical Profile of Air Force Special Warfare Trainees shows what the typical successful Special Warfare trainee profile looks like:

• Pull-ups: Average 14-15 reps
• Push-ups/sit-ups: 56-65 reps in 2 minutes
• Standing long jump: Average 98in (249cm)
• Farmer’s carry: 20s average (100 yards with 53lb kettlebells)
• 3-mile ruck (60lbs): 33-39min average 

Coach’s Advice: When training for STO, aiming for scores well above minimum standards is a given. I always instruct my students to aim for a score at least 20-30% higher than the minimums in each category.

If you’re looking for a specialized instructor to guide you through training, you can apply for 1-on-1 coaching with me. But if you’re unsure about whether to opt for a coach yet, check out my article:

3. How to become a USAF Special Tactics Officer?

I. Prepare your application package. (Phase I)

For the first of the two phases, your job is to collect all the documents and prepare your application package. Here’s a list of documents you’ll need:

• Resume
• Academic transcripts and AFOQT scores (verbal ≥ 15, quantitative ≥ 10 suggested)
• Officer evaluations
• A polished letter of intent outlining your drive and vision
• Physical fitness scores taken within 6 months of applying
• Personal statements telling your story and leadership potential
• Two endorsement letters (commander and field leader)
• Letters of recommendation
• Official photo, and 
• Medical screening report

Submit your package as per the instructions on the AFSPECWAR portal or directly through your unit.Once your application is received, it is then screened by a board of current STOs and Special Tactics leaders, who rank the candidates by likelihood to succeed.

The board typically invites 8-10 candidates and selects 2-4 from that group.

II. Prove your physical and emotional mettle at selection. (Phase II)

Phase II at Hurlburt Field is a one-week crucible where invitation-only candidates prove they have the fitness, resilience, judgment, and character to lead Special Tactics teams. Since selection into STO is extremely competitive and there are only a handful of spots, you must be prepared for an intense and gruelling week. 

The second phase will focus on physical and psychological assessments, teamwork and leadership, stress management in simulated environments, fitness and swim retests, and feedback from peers and overall cadre.

It’s important that you understand the five red lines that trigger an immediate dismissal of your candidature, and prepare for the events designed to expose any weakness.

III. Coach’s Survival Tips

In my experience, there are a few “events” during the selection phase II that you need to nail completely. Of course, the leadership interviews and psych assessments are included in this list. For your physical capabilities, I recommend finishing an 8-12mi ruck with <60-pound weight with an average pace of 13-14mi/mi.

Start preparing for high-volume calisthenics from day 1. I am talking push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, flutter kicks, and buddy drags. And finally, there’s the water confidence gauntlet. For that, practice these few events:

• 25 m underwater intervals on short rest.
• Mask-snorkel recovery from pool bottom.
• Buddy-breathing with one regulator.
• Treading in uniform/boots.
• Drown-proofing and 1,500 m surface swims with fins.

Over-prepare the water piece. Most voluntary quits happen in the pool. I suggest you practice breath-holds and finning after calisthenics to simulate fatigue.

Phase II selection is designed to strip away ego and reveal the operator beneath. You’re expected to crush all standards and exceed the minimum repeatedly to be considered a viable choice.

Once you clear Phase II and get selected, you can expect Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to Hurlburt Field, Florida.

4. Training Pipeline for Special Tactics Officer

Getting selected for STO is just the beginning. Prepare yourself for a 2-year-long journey that includes completing various courses and training schools while maintaining winning standards and scores throughout.

Here’s a list of courses/schools you’ll need to take:

• Combat Control Selection Course (2 weeks)
• Combat Control Operator Course (15.5 weeks)
• Air Force Basic Survival School (3 weeks)
• Army Airborne School (3 weeks
• Combat Control School (13 weeks)
• Special Tactics Advanced Skills Training (AST) (12-15 months)

Additional schools may include Combat Diver, Military Freefall (HALO), and SERE.

The moment you graduate from Combat Control School, you will be rewarded with the distinct scarlet beret, which is a recognition of your rank as the leader of the Special Tactics teams.

Next, you’ll be assigned to a Special Tactics Squadron (STS). There are several active STSs across the U.S., such as the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th Special Tactics Squadrons, each with its own mission focus and deployment rhythm.

If you want to learn more about the training pipeline for Special Tactics teams, here’s an official US Air Force book that will help you during your journey.

5. Life as a Special Tactics Officer: Roles, Career Path & Salary

STOs function as mission commanders and tactical leaders, overseeing complex battlefield operations that require expert coordination of air and ground special operations. They often work with joint and coalition SOF partners to deliver:

• Global access for force projection
• Airfield seizure and control
• JTAC & Close Air Support (CAS)
• Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)
• Battlefield trauma care
• Mission planning and liaison

I. Operational Tempo & Deployment

STOs regularly deploy to some of the most challenging and adverse environments in the world. The deployment typically lasts 4-6 months, and you should be prepared to face high-tempo, austere living conditions with limited support.

Here are some environments and deployment settings you can expect as an STO:

• Hostile combat zones 
• Disaster and Humanitarian Crisis Areas
• Remote and Austere Locations
• Joint and Multinational Operations
• Peacetime Contingency Operations

II. Career Progression

STOs have a promising career progression, with each grade being rewarding in its own way.

1. O-2 to O-3 (First Lieutenant → Captain) ~2-4 years of service
   Promotion occurs upon meeting time-in-grade and performance standards.
2. O-4 (Major) ~10 years of service
   Selection based on performance, promotion boards, and continued active-duty commitment.
3. O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel): ~14-16 years of service
   Serves as Special Tactics Squadron Commander, or on staff at AFSOC, SOCOM, or JSOC.
4. O-6 (Colonel) ~20-22 years of service
   May command a Special Tactics Group, serve as vice wing commander, or take on senior staff roles at the Pentagon or Joint Staff.
5. O-7 (Brigadier General) ~24+ years of service
   A select few lead the 24th Special Operations Wing, or hold high-level joint SOF roles.
6. O-8+ (Major General and above)
   Senior executive roles across USSOCOM, DoD, or as Joint Task Force Commanders, shaping national SOF strategy and policy.

III. Salary, Benefits & Other Perks

Information from government and career sites puts STO and Special Warfare officer pay (when including all bonuses and basic allowances) typically between:

You’re entitled to additional pay & incentives that usually vary by qualifications and deployment status (e.g., parachute pay, hazardous duty pay).

The above table gives approximate figures. You can refer to the USAF official website for more information on officer salary, pay benefits, and more. 

Sources:

• https://www.airforce.com/careers/special-warfare-and-combat-support/special-tactics-officer
• https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/Portals/80/19ZXA%20Special%20Tactics%20Officer%20Application%20cao%204%20Feb%202023_1.pdf
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Special_Tactics_Officer
• https://daytonabeach.erau.edu/-/media/files/daytona-beach/rotc/air-force/afrotc-special-tactics-officer.pdf
• https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/About/Careers/STO/