Staff Sergeant (E-5) Promotions
The Staff Sergeant's Roles and Responsibilities
The Staff Sergeant (SSgt) is the first level of the Non-Commissioned
Officer (NCO) Ranks in the Air Force.
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The Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)
Air Force enlisted members E-5 and above are referred to as NCOs.
As an Air Force NCO you are expected to exemplify personal integrity,
loyalty, leadership, dedication, and devotion to duty including upholding
Air Force policies, traditions, and standards.
Air Force NCOs and Senior NCOs are rated by "Skill Levels."
The following is a breakdown of the Air Force's NCO and Senior Non-Comissioned
Officer (SNCO) required skill levels:
- 5-Level: Craftsman. The 5-skill level is awarded after
a period of OJT, and completion of Career Development Course (CDC),
after arrival at the first duty assignment. While it varies based
on the complexity of the job, it takes most people about 18 months
to earn their 5-skill level.
- 7-Level: Supervisor. When you are promoted to Staff Sergeant
(E-5), you enter into 7-level training. This is accomplished via
OJT, and (usually) graduation from a 7-level job-school. Sometimes,
there is no available job school, and the upgrade is accomplished
by completing 7-level CDCs.
- 9-Level: Manager. Skill level assigned to E-8s and E-9s.
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The Staff Sergeant (SSgt) is the first level of the Non-Commissioned
Officer (NCO) Ranks in the Air Force.
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As a Staff Sergeant you are primarily considered a craftsman with
specific NCO supervisory responsibilities and may hold either a
5- (journeyman) or 7- (craftsman) skill level. Additionally you
must continuously strive to further your development as a technician
and supervisor.
The average Air Force wide active duty time for promotion to the
rank of Staff Sergeant is 4.25 years.
The Staff Sergeant Promotion Process
While the promotion process to Airman (E-2), Airman First Class
(E-3) and Senior Airman (E-4) is based on your becoming fully qualified
for promotion using a time phased system and your immediate commander's
written promotion recommendation. Promotion to Staff Sergeant also
requires three years Time-in-Serve (TIS) and six months
Time-in-Grade (TIG). In addition you are required to
achieve a 5-skill level, compete in the "Weighted Airman Promotion
System," or WAPS and active duty members must complete the
Airman Leadership School in-residence prior to assuming the rank
of SSgt.
Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) Points
If you are eligible for promotion, based on TIS/TIG/Skill Level,
and your commander's recommendation, then you will be subject to
the WAPS points system. If you are among those with the most "WAPS
Points" in your AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code) you will get
promoted.
The WAPS promotion points are derived from the following factors:
Promotion Fitness Examination (PFE) - A 100 question test
about Air Force general supervisory subjects, such as history, leadership,
NCO responsibilities, first aid, customs and courtesies, etc. Study
the Air Force Promotion Fitness (PFE) Manual, Air Force Manual 36-2241
Vol 1.
* The maximum number of PFE points is 100.
Specialty Knowledge Test (SKT) - A 100 question test concerning
your job in the Air Force. Most SKT questions are from the Career
Development Course (CDC) that you will have studied to be awarded
a 5-skill level.
* The maximum number of SKT points is 100.
Medals and Awards - You'll receive promotion points for
receiving certain Military Awards (medals):
- Medal of Honor - 15
- Air Force/Navy Distinguished Cross - 11
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal - 9
- Distinguished Service Medal - 9
- Silver Star - 9
- Legion of Merit - 7
- Defense Superior Service Medal - 7
- Distinguished Flying Cross - 7
- Airman’s/Soldier’s/Navy-Marine Corps/Coast Guard/Bronze
Star/Defense Meritorious Service Medals/Meritorious Service Medal
- 5
- Purple Heart - 5 Air/Aerial Achievement - 3
- Air Force/Army/Navy/Joint Services/Coast Guard Commendation
Medal - 3
- Air Force Recruiting Ribbon - 2
- Air Force/Navy/Coast Guard/Joint Services Achievement Medal
- 1
* The maximum award points is 25.
Time-in-Grade (TIG) - Air Force members are awarded one-half
of a point for each month you have time-in-grade. The maximum number
of TIG points is 60. Time-in-Service (TIS) - Members are awarded two
points for each year you have in the military.
* Maximum number of TIS points is 40.
Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs) - Once per year (at minimum)
your performance is rated by your Supervisor and chain of command
based on:
- How well you perform assigned duties.
- How much you know about your primary duties.
- How well you comply with standards.
- How you conduct yourself on/off duty.
- How well you supervise and lead.
- How well you comply with individual training requirements.
- How well you communicate with others.
The EPR includes a promotion recommendation rating on a scale from
one to five (five being the highest). The squadron commander must
review and approve each EPR.
This rating is converted into promotion points for the WAPS system.
Only ratings for the previous five years are used (no more than ten
reports). In addition, older reports carry less weight in determining
the final EPR promotion points.
* The maximum number of promotion points for EPRs is 135.
The Final Selection Process
Once the Air Force determines its promotion percentage needs, those
whose WAPS points place them within that top percentage of their AFSC
are selected for promotion.
This means that if the overall promotion rate to E-7 is 40 percent,
then the top 40 percent with the highest total points in a given AFSC
will be selected for promotion. The person selected with the lowest
score determines the "cutoff" score for that AFSC, and everyone
in that AFSC with a score at or above the cutoff will be promoted.
Promotion Line Numbers
The Air Force promotes on a 12-month "Promotion Cycle."
That is, those selected for promotion are promoted, in increments
throughout the year based on their time in grade. That's where the
term "line numbers" comes in. The Air Force assigns promotion
line numbers based upon time-in-grade. So, the person with the most
time-in-grade among all the selectees in the Air Force, would receive
a line number of 001, the person with the next most time-in-grade
a line number of 002, and so on. Each month for the next 12 months
the Air Force announces which line numbers will be promoted in the
following month.
Stripes for Exceptional Performers (STEP)
The Air Force Chief of Staff approves a very limited number (lesser
of 422 stripes or 2 percent of projected WAPS promotions to grade
E-5, E-6 and E-7) of allocations for a STEP promotion. These allocations
(slots) are usually distributed to the various Major Commands (MAJCOMS),
who then distribute them to the Wings (Installations). There are usually
only two or three STEP allocations given to each Wing per year. Wing
commanders can then use these allocations to promote "Exceptional"
individuals to Staff Sergeant, Technical Sergeant, and Master Sergeant.
More Air Force Enlisted
Promotions Systems
Technical Sergeant (E-6) |
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