Eligibility Requirements

BLUF: Deadline for Exception to Policy (ETP) packages are due 7 duty days prior to day one of class.  The "end enrollment" deadline for SOS Classes is on the SOS Student Experience Page and see the deadlines for each upcoming class.

IAW the SOS Exception to Policy Checklist, Exception to Policy (ETP) packages shall be submitted to SOC/ODP Org Mailbox, sos.od.studentservices@us.af.mil.  Again, this is due 0730 CST 7 duty days prior to day one of class.  Any packages submitted after this deadline may be rejected but will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Direct all questions on these deadlines to SOS/ODP at DSN 493-3231, or email at sos.od.studentservices@us.af.mil. 

Students attending SOS need to understand that compliance with the below eligibility requirements is mandatory and is the primary responsibility of the member.  Training managers should assist in the process but each student must ensure that they have followed all the reporting instructions and that they have an approved Exception to Policy (ETP) as necessary.   Training Managers should review current SOS Enrollment Policy and current SOS Reporting Guide.  Timelines under the policy are mandatory.  When an ETP is granted the member will receive an e-mail confirmation that they have approval to proceed to SOS.  The member should not proceed without this confirmation.  Anyone who arrives without being approved will be sent back at the unit's expense and their commander will be notified of the failure to follow proper procedures. 

• ​Military: must be a Captain and CANNOT pin on Major while attending SOS. 

•      Students who pin on Major while at SOS will be sent home.

• Civilians: must be GS-9 through GS-12.

• See AFI 36-2670 for more info.

Students attending SOS are expected to be in top physical condition and should expect to complete a weekly 5K run, a 10K at the end of the course, and other strenuous activities including climbing, lifting, and hoisting one's body weight, in the central Alabama weather conditions.

• We understand that due to COVID most students haven’t been able to PT test for the last two years. If that’s the case, bring your last PT test with no exemptions even if it isn’t the most recent PT test. 

• You MUST have a current/passing PT Test WITHOUT EXEMPTIONS on file in Myfitness that lasts through your graduation date.

• If you have one or more EXEMPTIONS on your Myfitness printout, you must retest with NO EXEMPTIONS prior to attending SOS or get an approved Exception to Policy (ETP) to attend SOS, even if the profile that led to the exemption expired.

• You will be REQUIRED to provide a hardcopy printout from Myfitness showing your current score and expiration date on Day 1.

• Additionally, if you are on a medical profile, even if it will expire during the class, you cannot attend SOS without an approved ETP.

• ​If you have any questions about the PT test policy please contact Student Services at sos.od.studentservices@us.af.mil or DSN 493-3231. 

Exceptions are further clarified in the Exceptions to Policy Explained.

****Expiration Fitness Assessment Due to Deployment of 90+ days**** Students with an expired PT Test who will attend SOS within 42 days after returning from a deployment of over 90 days MUST request an ETP waiver and receive written approval to use the expired score. 

***Completed Waivers Form MUST be submitted to SOS Student Services NO LATER THAN 7 duty days PRIOR to class start date (see "SOS HOME" webpage for class start dates/ETP due dates).***  Any submission received after the cutoff date will be disapproved.

***All ETP Waivers MUST Be Signed By Your Home Station Wing Commander (or equivalent)***
    ETP are required for PT test exemptions, profiles, and waivers.   See chart below:

• If you are on ANY medical waivers that limit physical activity, you must submit an ETP.
• Students attending SOS with exemption on ANY component of their current PT Test, MUST request an ETP waiver (Fitness Waiver) and receive written approval.
• ETP requests for students with PT exemptions that will limit their full participation at SOS are typically denied if the student will have additional opportunities to attend SOS after the issue is resolved.
• Pregnant Students:
  • Maxwell AFB 42 MDG does not have the capability to provide routine OB GYN care.
  • If you are cleared for the class, you MUST provide a 469 clearing you to attend SOS without routine OB GYN care.
  • If you will require OB GYN care while attending the course, you MUST coordinate from your home station PCM or OB/GYN to determine whether or not you will require routine OB/GYN care and can perform physical activities they are comfortable performing.

• You are NOT required to submit a TAFSC waiver to SOS before attending the course.

• All TAFSC waivers should be routed through your MAJCOM/A1 office. -- Note: Some MAJCOMS have delegated the approval authority for TAFSC waivers to individual Wing Commanders. Consult your MAJCOM A1.

• SOS does not need to see your TAFSC waiver. 

ANG and AFRC students should consult the SOS Reporting Guide as well as the lodging and finance information on the SOS website Lodging and Finance Information. 

Please contact the AU Reserve Advisor at DSN 493-3290, or Commercial, 334-953-3290 if you have any additional questions. For questions regarding the Guard officer PME please contact DSN 493-3060, or Commercial, 334-953-3060.   For questions regarding orders, you may contact 908 FSS/FSO: DSN 493-9185 or Commercial 334-953-9185.

Per Department of the Airforce Instruction 36-2670, if a TDY student reports for a course and is found to be ineligible due to failure to meet ANY eligibility requirements without an ETP, the student will be returned to his or her unit at the parent unit's expense.