Appointments to fill vacancies from this competitive category are made from candidates in order of merit. A total of 85 appointments are authorized from this category each year. Applications must be submitted no later than January 31 of the entry year.

(a) Any enlisted member of the Regular component of the Air Force may apply for nomination. Selectees must be in active duty enlisted status when appointed as cadets.

(b) Regular category applicants must arrange to have their high school transcripts submitted to USAFA/RRS. They must also complete AF Form 1786, “Application for Appointment to the United States Air Force Academy Under Quota Allotted to Enlisted Members of the Regular and Reserve Components of the Air Force,” and submit it to their organization commander who:

(1) Determines if the applicant meets the basic eligibility requirements shown in §901.4 of this part. If disqualified, the application is returned and the applicant is informed of the reason.

(2) Advises the Consolidated Base Personnel Office (CBPO) to hold any reassignment action of the airman pending selection for an appointment. The CBPO places the airman in assignment availability code (AAC) 05 and coordinates on AF Form 1786. Applicants not selected are reassigned on Academy notification to the CBPO. Applicants to technical school follow-on training (if there is any) or PCS to their end assignment also are reassigned. The initial application package from the technical training center CBPO to USAFA/RRS includes the following information on all pipe-line students: name, SSN, AFSC, course graduation date, follow-on training, and end assignment.

(3) Completes an indorsement and forwards AF Form 1786 through the CBPO to USAFA/RRS, USAF Academy, Colorado Springs CO 80840-5651. The commander's indorsement must include a comprehensive statement of the applicant's character, ability, and motivation to become a career officer. Statements in the application regarding component, length of service, and date of birth must be verified from official records.