Master Sergeant (E-7) Promotions
The Master Sergeant's Roles and Responsibilities
The Master Sergeant (MSgt) is the 1st level of the Senior Non-Commissioned
Officer (SNCO) Ranks in the Air Force.
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Air Force enlisted members E-7 and above are referred to as SNCOs.
As an Air Force SNCO you are expected to set the highest standards
of personal integrity, loyalty, leadership, dedication, and devotion
to duty including upholding Air Force policies, traditions, and standards.
Air Force Senior NCOs are rated by "Skill Levels." The following
is a breakdown of the Air Force's SNCO required skill levels:
- 7-Level: Supervisor. Technical Sergeant (E-6) to Master
Sergeant (E-7)
- 9-Level: Manager. Skill-level assigned to E-8s and E-9s.
As a Master Sergeant you function primarily in craftsman and
supervisory positions as you prepare for more advanced leadership
positions. MSgts hold a 7-skill level.
This rank carries significantly increased responsibilities and
requires a broad technical and managerial perspective. If you are
selected to be advanced to MSgt. you should enroll in and complete
the AFSNCOA correspondence course.
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As an Air Force SNCO you are expected to set the highest standards.
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The average service wide active duty time for advancement to the
rank of Master Sergeant is 17.06 years.
The Master Sergeant Promotion Process
The promotion process for MSgt. is identical to the process for
promotion to Staff Sergeant and Technical Sergeant, except for the
minimum requirements 8 years Time-in-Serve (TIS) and 24 months Time-in-Grade
(TIG) requirements, in addition to achieving a 7-skill level.
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. Additionally, you must complete the NCO Academy in-residence
prior to assuming the rank of MSgt
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
Senior Master Sergeant
(E-8) |
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