Senior Master Sergeant (E-8)
The Senior Master Sergeant's Roles and Responsibilities
The Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) is considered a Senior Non-Commissioned
Officer (SNCO) Rank in the Air Force. Public law allows the Service
Secretaries to determine the percentage of enlisted member who'll
service in the grade of E-8 and E-9 not to exceed 3.5 percent. The
Air Force caps its E-8 and E-9 population at 3 percent. Promotions
to the top two enlisted grades are extremely competitive and focus
on the "Whole Person" concept.
|
USAF
Enlisted
Promotions Links |
|
|
Additionally, active duty members must complete the Senior NCO Academy
in-residence prior to assuming the rank of CMSgt
The Senior Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO)
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.
 |
|
he Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) is considered a Senior Non-Commissioned
Officer (SNCO) Rank in the Air Force.
|
|
Air Force Senior NCOs are rated by "Skill Levels." The following
is a breakdown of the Air Force's SNCO required skill levels:
- 9-Level: Manager. Skill-level assigned to E-8s and E-9s.
As a Senior Master Sergeant you are expected to perform
as a superintendent or manager. Broad management skills are essential
for you to exercise the responsibilities of the higher leadership
positions in which SMSgts serve. The 9-skill level "Superintendent"
is awarded when SMSgts sew on E-8.
Continued professional development is needed to become a viable
candidate for unique assignment opportunities and future promotion
selection consideration to CMSgt.
The average service wide active duty time for advancement to the
rank of Senior Master Sergeant is 20 years.
The Senior Master Sergeant Promotion Process
Because public law allows only 3 percent of the enlisted work force
to be in the grades of E8, the SMSgt promotion system is highly competitive.
That means the number that can be promoted is small and the competition
is extremely tough.
Senior Master Sergeant and Chief Master Sergeant Promotions in the
Air Force are made using both the WAPS points and a Central Evaluation
Board that reviews the individual's promotion record.
To be eligible for promotion, you must have a minimum of 11 years
TIS and 20 months TIG.
E-8 WAPS Points
The SMSgt. WAPS promotion points are derived from the following
factors:
The Air Force Supervisory Examination - The test consists of
100 questions that are derived from the Promotion Fitness Examination
(PFE).
* The maximum score is 100 points.
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) - You 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) - You are awarded two points for each year you have in the military.
* The maximum number of TIS points is 25.
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.
E-8 Central Evaluation Board
The biggest factor for Senior Master Sergeant promotions is the
Central Evaluation Board (CEB).
Each year, once for Senior Master Sergeant (January), and once for
Chief Master Sergeant (October), the Air Force convenes the central
evaluation board consisting of several 3-person panels. Each panel
examining the promotion records for specific AFSCs (jobs). This
means that everyone within a given AFSC will have their records
scored by the same panel.
The panels examine the promotion records, and score them by considering
the following the individual's Performance, Professional Competence,
Leadership, Job Responsibility, Breadth of Experience, Specific
Achievements, and Education Level.
The following are the contents of the SNCO selection folder:
1. All EPRs (Performance Reports) for the past ten years.
2. Citations for all decorations.
3. Senior NCO Evaluation Brief.
4. Article 15 - If applicable and determined to be filed by appropriate
commander.
5. Record of Courts-martial.
6. AF Form 77, Letter of Evaluation, for breaks in service, EPR
appeals, administrative correction, etc.
*The maximum number of points for the CEB is 450.
Those selected for promotion to CMSgt are promoted during the "Promotion
Cycle" of 1 January through 1 December each year. Individuals
selected for promotion to SMSgt are promoted during the "Promotion
Cycle" of 1 April through 1 March each year.
More Air Force Enlisted
Promotions Systems
Chief Master Sergeant
(E-9) |
  |
|
