So, I'm not currently able to complete the CCT PAST, but I want to complete MEPS and get the ball rolling. My recruiter told me that if I went to MEPS with the intent on Special Tactics then I would have to take whichever PAST I was applying for within a week of MEPS, but if I just went to MEPS as a regular wanting to join the Air Force with my 5 jobs listed, then I could always take the PAST at any point during my DEP. I was also told if I were to take the TACP PAST and then a month or two later say "I can complete the CCT PAST" they would allow me to do it and upgrade.

Please tell me this is legitimate. I really hope my recruiter isn't just trying to rush me into the Air Force.

The problem with that of course is you may be required to ship to BMT under whatever job you signed up for before you're ready for the CCT PAST...ask your recruiter about that...

You have to go to MEPS and sign up for those 5 jobs to get the MEPS physical which is required PRIOR to the PAST. If you fail the initial PAST you have to wait 30 days. Fail a second time and your CCT reservation is cancelled and you have to wait another 30 days.

Best advice is to wait until you're more than ready to pass the CCT PAST, otherwise you're taking a few risks.

So make sure I qualify for the CCT PAST before even entering MEPS? And what about the possibility of going for TACP, taking the PAST for that and being able to upgrade if I'm not shipped out by the time I could complete the CCT test?

It comes down to this, if you want CCT, be ready to pass the PAST before anything else. If you're willing to take a chance and "get in shape" after entering DEP, and taking another AFSC, it's a risk.

Since dealing with my recruiter and seeing other guys in the DEP I'm surprised how often this topic has come up. I've personally taken the PAST with guys that have gone this route, they took an open slot to some job with the "promise" of being able to take the PAST and try for CCT or PJ once they're "ready". And each of them fail the PAST; usually on the run, I don't know why. I asked my recruiter about this and told him it was my opinion that these guys fail it because they already have a job and that "safety net" and they're just giving CCT/PJ a whirl. If they pass, great, if they fail they're still in the DEP and they get to go home and tell all their buddies that they tried out for Special Tactics.

As TE says, if you want CCT, be ready to pass the PAST for CCT. Why are guys so antsy to go to MEPS, get into the DEP, and maybe have a chance later at CCT once they finally "get in shape"?? It just doesn't make sense to me. If you want CCT, then don't settle for anything else. Be patient, take your time to build yourself up, and be ready to meet the qualification standards for the job.

CCT isn't going anywhere anytime soon, it's just a matter of the recruit having patience and maturity by waiting to leave and staying committed to specifically Combat Control rather than just taking an open slot for TACP or something else just so they can rush into the Air Force. The bottom line is simple; as TE has said. If you want CCT, be ready for CCT; not TACP, not some other open job.

I appreciate the feedback. I think my hurry is that I wanted to join the Air Force by a certain date, and had made my decision before I had even learned about CCT, or would have even thought I'd have considered something in Special Tactics. So, once I found out that CCT is that one job that I want, I've been working hard for it, but I'm still impatient to join. I'll take my time and go full on for it. My rant is finished, and thanks again.