| ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT |
Please refer to 
ETP Checklist and ETP AFFMS Example Slide, and PCM MFR.
BLUF: Deadline for Exception to Policy (ETP) packages are due by 1200 CST on the waiver deadline date (15 days before class start date).
Waiver deadlines for SOS Classes are on the SOS Student Experience Page under "Course Dates and Deadlines" tab. Any packages submitted after this deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis but may be rejected.
Direct all ETP questions to SOS Student Services at DSN 312-493-3231 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.
- Air Force Captains must have at least 4 but no more than 7 years total active federal commissioned service at class start. Note: ANG, AFR, Line of the Air Force – Judge Advocate General (LAF-J), Chaplain Corps, Medical Services Corps, Biomedical Science Corps, Nurse Corps as well as Medical Corps and Dental Corps Captains are excluded from the 4-year minimum.
- Civilians: must be GS-9 through GS-12.
- US Space Force (USSF) Captains are not permitted to attend Squadron Officer School. Please work with your training managers and STARCOM to register for the Space Force Captain's Leadership Course.
- See DAFI 36-2686 Officer Development and DAFI 36-2670 Total Force Development for more info.
Unit Commanders must ensure their member is physically fit enough to attend and complete SOS.
- USAF (AD, ANG, & AFRC) students must have a current and passing Physical Fitness Assessments through the graduation date.
- Civilian students are required to complete and pass all physical components of the USAF physical components of the Physical Fitness Assessment, as outlined in DAFMAN 36-2905, within 60 days of their class start date.
ALL (USAF, Civilian, & Int'l Officer) students are expected to participate in daily flight physical fitness (PT) and other strenuous activities including climbing, lifting, and hoisting one's body weight in the central Alabama weather conditions.
-
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.
-
Additionally, if you are on a medical profile, even if it will expire during the class, you cannot attend SOS without an approved ETP.
***PFA PAUSE/DIAGNOSTIC PERIOD GUIDANCE***
For PFAs due in JANUARY or FEBRUARY 2026
- Last PFA was a pass with NO component exemptions - Submit SURF and myFitness Report to sos.od.studentservices@us.af.mil
- Last PFA was EXEMPT or a pass WITH component exemptions – see ETP/Waivers section for documents required for submission. This includes exemptions due to deployments/acclimation.
- Civilians must PASS a PFA with all components within 60 days of class start date using the old standards (push-ups, sit-ups, 1.5 mile run or alternate exercises) if testing in Jan/Feb. The test must be administered by a unit PTL/UFPM or Supervisor and must be signed by the unit PTL or Unit/Squadron Commander.
For PFAs (no exemptions) due in MARCH 2026
- SOS 26B & 26C – Your PFA is current through graduation. No action required.
- SOS 26D - Must pass a full diagnostic PFA with NO component exemptions using the NEW standards or submit an ETP.
- Civilians must PASS a PFA with all components within 60 days of class start date using the NEW standards (Waist-to-Height ratio, push-ups, sit-ups, 2 mile run or approved alternate exercises). The test must be administered by a unit PTL/UFPM or Supervisor and must be signed by the unit PTL or Unit/Squadron Commander.
For PFAs due from APRIL-JUNE 2026
- Must pass a full diagnostic PFA with NO component exemptions using the NEW standards or submit an ETP.
- Civilians must PASS a PFA with all components within 60 days of class start date using the NEW standards (Wasit-to-Height ratio, push-ups, sit-ups, 2 mile run or approved alternate exercises). The test must be administered by a unit PTL/UFPM or Supervisor and must be signed by the unit PTL or Unit/Squadron Commander.
If you have questions about the PT Test policy, please contact SOS Student Services at DSN 312-493-3231 or email at sos.od.studentservices@us.af.mil.
***All ETPs MUST be signed by your home station Wing Commander (or equivalent)***
ETP are required for PT test exemptions, profiles, and waivers. See chart below:
Fitness ETPs are required for the following:
- Student’s current PFA has component exemptions (Item 1)
- Student’s PFA is non-current/exempt due to PT testing pause, deployment, and/or acclimatization (Item 2/3)
- Student is on duty limiting profile for physical activity or component exemptions (Item 4)
Documents Required for ETP Submission
| Item |
Situation |
SURF |
MyFitness Tracker Report |
MFR Signed by Wing/CC or equivalent |
AF Form 469
(profile)
|
MFR from PCM clearing member for TDY - MFR template on SOS Website under Eligibility Requirements |
| 1 |
Current PFA WITH component exemptions |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| 2 |
Non-current/exempt PFA - last PFA was a pass with NO component exemptions |
✓ |
✓ |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| 3 |
Non-current/exempt PFA - last PFA was a pass WITH component exemptions |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
If applicable - see item 4 |
N/A |
| 4 |
Duty-limiting profile (physical limitations or exemptions) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| PREGNANCY/POSTPARTUM NOTIFICATION |
Members MUST submit ALL the following documentation to SOS Student Services:
- Notification to SOS via email to sos.od.studentservices@us.af.mil
- AF Form 469 or MFR denoting pregnancy/birth (postpartum members may submit an expired DAF Form 469)
- MFR from PCM or OB/GYN to attend Squadron Officer School/TDY (MFR template on SOS Website –Eligibility Req tab)
-
- MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS
-
- Maxwell AFB 42 MDG does not have the capability to provide 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.
| WAIVER FOR CAPTAINS WITH 7+ YEARS TOTAL ACTIVE FEDERAL COMMISSIONED SERVICE DATE (TAFCSD) |
- All TAFCSD waivers should be routed through your MAJCOM/A1 office. -- Note: Some MAJCOMS have delegated the approval authority for TAFCSD waivers to individual Wing Commanders. Consult your MAJCOM/A1.
- SOS does not need to see your TAFCSD waiver and does not have a role in this process.
ANG and AFRC students should consult the SOS Reporting Guide.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the AU Reserve Advisor at DSN 312-493-3290 or Commercial, 334-953-3290.
For questions regarding the Guard officer PME, please contact DSN 312-493-3060 or Commercial, 334-953-3060.
For questions regarding orders, you may contact 908 FSS/FSO: DSN 312-493-9185 or Commercial 334-953-9185.
Students that have an approved separation/retirement date or have completed SOS via correspondence are not eligible to attend SOS In-Residence.
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.