Understanding Air Force Enlisted Promotions

The AF promotes by "slots" now?? Holy Sheet. That is a mistake.

Keep in mind, in the Guard, it works on slots. The Amn has to be in a "slot" that is promotable up to the desired level. So, if a TSgt, the member must be in a "slot" that is authorized up to MSgt or higher.

I'm an e5 in the army looking to keep rank in the af. How do I do that and promote?

Things have changed since I was in the USAF (1969 to 1973). At that time the E-3 grade was Airman First Class and the E-4 grade was known as "Sergeant". For myself, I made Staff Sergeant in less than three years time in service. My time in rank at E-4 was about fifteen months. My date of enlistment was November 12, 1969 and I made Staff Sergeant on November 1, 1972. At the time, I was in a high demand career field (Air Cargo Operations) in Southeast Asia.

Back in 1979 I made E5 by way of the process called Below the Zone (BTZ). I don't know if it's still being offered. I was promoted to E5 with only 3.5 years of active duty. My boss (E7) nominated me to compete in the BTZ program. Of the airmen competing, only a small percentage (10%) are approved for early promotion to E5. I studied hard before being evaluated. As I recall, the test was completely verbal. A group of higher ranking NCOs and officers sat around a table and asked many questions about chain of command and various AF trivia & history. They're looking for military bearing, eye contact, body language, voice projection and overall confidence. About a month later, my boss received a list of names who were selected for early promotion.

This video is gold! Thanks for posting.

Always talk to your supervisor or somebody thats been in for awhile that you trust to get latest career info as I understand the promotion system is going through changes.

can you make a video on the senior enlisted ranks

This was posted on my birthday

Can I email you for questions❤️

So in the reserve and guard promotion is different ?!

I love your videos, I'm going In as an E3 in the reserves because of my AS Computer Science Degree with promotion to E4 after tech school. This video really helped me understand how rankings work especially the skill level part!

What are the chances of me getting a firefighter MOS, and where could I get stationed?

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Hi Im a prior service E4 and current guard. I reclass for Active Duty. As a result I will lose 1 rank and become a e3 A1C. Being guard my active duty time was converted thus the demotion. Since I already have time in service of four years would I get promoted twice to become E5 once I become a five skill level?

You stay at a friend's house just to work out? Wtf

Time in grade for each year in is a promotion point. Medals have points too.

If you join the Air Force and are sent overseas for your first tour of duty, DO NOT extend that tour, come back to the states ASAP. I was a dental assistant and was sent to Okinawa in 1983 and was sent to Kadena AFB. I ended up staying 2.5 years and my last duty station was going to be at Beale in California. I was looking forward to getting my buck sergeant stripes when I got there. When I arrive at Beale my new supervisor informed me that I would not be getting my sergeant stripes. The reason was because the clinic at Kadena never cross trained me in all areas of the dental clinic and the reason for that was SOFA the status of forces agreement we have with Japan which requires that a Japanese national gets to work in every section of the clinic. They told me that it wasn't my fault but there was still nothing to be done about it. So I got to leave the service as a senior airman and not a buck sergeant.

When you get promoted to E-5 does your pay automatically increase???

this guy sucks

I've always wondered if the ranks are different if you're in the USAF but not in the aviation. I've read that only 25% of the USAF actually operates in aviation. But you start out in rank E3, First Class Airman if you have a college degree, and then you can be promoted to E4 - Senior Airman and E5 - Staff Sergeant and so on. But for example if you are in the USAF but don't operate in aviation, let's say you decode morse-messages (based on the stories of the Cold War), are the ranks different there? And what's a E4 rank supposed to do and what does a E5 - Staff Sergeant? I've read that a SSgt leads a squadron, but what else are you supposed to do as SSgt?

Why did you change from Firefighter to Personnel

MOST IMPORTANT about making rank is the Air Forces NEEDS... if your career field is 'over manned' meaning there are a lot of people in that career, thus a lot of Staffs, and Techs etc. even if you pass your tests 100%, you probably won't get promoted. Conversely, if you are in an IN DEMAND, SHORTED CAREER.. you will make rank FAST... My uncle made Tech Sgt in UNDER 4 YEARS.... then he left the Air Force anyway, he hated it and his job.
So... pick a career that is 'short handed' and get faster promotions. WARNING.. these short handed careers are usually that way for a reason, like, it sucks, or it sticks you in an isolated tour station, like a missile silo in North Dakota.. those guys go crazy in 6 months... So, its a balancing act.. easy jobs are over manned - slow promotions... difficult jobs, faster promotion, but.. something will suck about your job.

I know you are retired now, but your videos are excellent. Many thanks

Lets say you have an Airman in active duty vs an Airman y reserves or ANG, they both have the same AFSC, which one will promote faster. In the reserves and ANG there is also points that count towards promotion or is that only for retirement? Thank you.

is it possible to do a video for specifically USAF Fire Protection? I really want to do that as a job but I don't really know anything about it, im a civilian firefighter here in SATX, my main goal is to enlist and be an air force firefighter

What do you think of the promotion statements on EPRs? What if I disagree with it?

why is a ssgt an e5 and not an e6?

5 level is a Journeyman and 7 level is a Craftsman

Hey I am planning to join the air force to become a chaplain should I enlist first or go straight in as an officer

That moment when someone younger than you is higher rank

Navy seals op

As an Air Force Firefighter, did you get a lot of alarms? Or was the call volume pretty small?

Just curious why did you move careers??

Sir, thank you for answering my questions in your most recent video. Can you make a video on Officer Promotions? In my mind, I'm going to go officer in the guard in the relatively far future. Are vacancy promotions true, in the sense that, an AD Captain becomes a ANG or Reserve Major because there was a position open there, even though he doesn't that the necessary TIG/TIS?

Thank you, your videos are very helpful before I enlist to Air Force.

Hey, I was wondering if you believe your time as an enlisted airman made a difference in your leadership.

I want to go into AFROTC, but I still want that enlisted experience to understand the people I am responsible for, if I become a leader.

Dear Sir Hugo,
I'm a father of an enlisted young man at the AOFand would like to ask some questions to you.
How I can contact you ?
My email is [email protected]
Thank you for your service. And to share your experience with us !

Hi!!
I am currently in the process of enlisting in the Air Force active duty and all I have left to do is my physical this coming weds. While I am there I pick my job, but my Sgt is telling me I have to pick top ten jobs and I am not guaranteed the one I want. Is this true that I have to choose ten jobs? That seems like a lot and would be pretty difficult to do since I only have a few that I really want. It's my career and I don't want to be stuck in a job I hate..Your reply is greatly appreciated.

I'm losing hope ... Well I haven't yet talked to a recruiter but I'm scared that I will be disqualified do to the fact that I have a minor allergy reaction to peanuts just if I eat them. I'm trying to join the air national guard? Any help ?

Thank you so much for the video!!! I have a greater understanding now, I had trouble understanding my recruiter. I went to Meps, hopefully I'll be going in active on a 6 year enlistment soon.

Is it longer in the reserves to have a promotion? Thanks

Great video. How difficult is it to get a firefighter job in the Air Force and how long would the wait be from MEPS to Basic?

As always, an amazing video and very helpful!