Enlisted Air Force Ranks Military. Enlisted Air Force ranks are broken down into three levels Airmen E 1 through E 4, Non Commissioned Officers E 5 and E 6, and Senior Non Commissioned Officers E 7 through E 9. The Air Force is the only one of the five branches of the U. S. military where NCO status is achieved at the grade of E 5. As with the Army, some personnel can enlist at an advanced rank if they have college credits, or have participated in Junior ROTC. The highest advanced rank one can enlist with under these programs is Airman First Class E 3. The Air Force offers accelerated promotion for servicemembers who agree to enlist for six years. Under this program, enlistees who enter service as an Airman Basic E 1 are promoted to Airman E 2 after basic training is finished, and then advance to Airman First Class E 3 when they graduate technical school, or 2. Airman Ranks E 1 through E 4Airman Basic E 1Most airmen graduate basic military training with the rank of Airman Basic E 1. An Airman Basic is an apprentice who is acquiring and demonstrating knowledge of military customs, courtesies, traditions, and Air Force standards, while learning both military and technical skills. Under normal conditions promotions to E 2 are automatic as long as the Air Forces standards for performance and behavior are met. Registry Cleaner Patch.Exe more. Air Force Early Retirement Program' title='Air Force Early Retirement Program' />The official website of the U. S. Air Force. AF. MIL delivers the latest breaking news and information on the U. S. Air Force including top stories, features, leadership. A couple whose son was among eight members of one family killed in a Texas church shooting has filed a legal claim with the U. S. Air Force, saying the military branch. Joystick Basic Program. Enlisted Air Force ranks are broken down into three levels Airmen, NonCommissioned Officers, and Senior NonCommissioned Officers. The only requirement for advancement is 6 months time in grade TIG and time in service TIS. An Airman, while still primarily an apprentice, is expected to understand and conform to military standards. Airman E 2The rank of Airman brings with it the responsibility of adjusting to the Air Force way of military life, and becoming proficient in an Air Force occupational specialty. Upon leaving basic training, all Airmen enter training at Air Force schools in their  specialties jobs, depending on their aptitudes and interests, and the needs of the Air Force. Airman First Class E 3Airmen First Class are considered to be fully adjusted to Air Force and military life, and their duties focus on efficiently and effectively carrying out their assignments and honing their job skills. Airmen First Class are assigned an increasing level of responsibility. An Airman First Class is expected to comply with Air Force standards and serve as a role model for subordinates. In addition, they are expected to start mastering their job and leadership skills. Moving up the Air Force Ranks The Air Force requires Airmen Basic E 2 to have at least 1. Airman First Class. There are no Time in Service TIS requirements for Airman First Class. An Airman First Class role and responsibilities increase as their experience increases and they become journeymen and leaders. The average Air Force wide active duty time for promotion to the rank of Airman First Class is 1. Senior Airman E 4The rank of Senior Airman is a transition period from journeyman to Non Commissioned Officer NCO. It is essential that Airmen develop supervisory and leadership skills through Professional Military Experience PME and individual study. They are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with established standards, providing a positive influence and example for their subordinates and peers alike. Senior Airmen present the image of competence, integrity, and pride. Moving up the Air Force Ranks The Air Force requires for Airman First Class to have 2. Time in Grade TIG, or 3. TIS and 2. 0 months TIG. The average service wide active duty time for advancement to the rank of Senior Airman is three years. Exception to the Rule Senior Airman E 4 Below the Zone  Air Force unit commanders are authorized to promote 1. Airmen First Class E 3 to Senior Airmen E 4 six months ahead of the normal TIS. The unit commanders decision is based primarily on a promotion board. Large units conduct the promotion boards in house and select up to 1. Small units combine applicants into a pool and form a Central Base Board CBB. Air Force Non Commissioned Officer NCO Ranks E 5 and E 6Air Force enlisted members E 5 and E 6 are referred to as NCOs. Air Force NCOs 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 promoted based on the Weighted Airman Promotion System WAPS. Airmen with the proper TISTIGSkill Level and commanders recommendation compete for promotion based on  their WAPS Points within their AFSC Air Force Specialty Code. The WAPS promotion points are derived from system which gives points for  Promotion Fitness Examination PFE, Specialty Knowledge Test SKT, Medals and Awards, Time in Grade TIGTime in Service TIS and Performance Evaluations. Staff Sergeant E 5The Staff Sergeant SSgt is the first level of the Non Commissioned Officer NCO ranks in the Air Force. Power Electronics Mohan 3Rd Edition more. The Staff Sergeants considered a craftsman with specific NCO supervisory responsibilities and may hold either a 5 journeyman or 7 craftsman skill level. Additionally the SSgt must continuously strive to further their development as technicians and supervisors. The average Air Force wide active duty time for promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant is over 4 years. Moving up the Air Force Ranks Promotion to Staff Sergeant requires three years Time in Serve TIS and six months Time in Grade TIG. In addition. Airmen must achieve a 5 skill level, compete in the Weighted Airman Promotion System, or WAPS and complete the Airman Leadership School in residence prior to assuming the rank of SSgt. Technical Sergeant E 6The Technical Sergeant TSgt is the second level of the Non Commissioned Officer NCO ranks in the Air Force. Technical Sergeants are qualified to perform highly complex technical duties in addition to providing supervision. In addition, theyre responsible for the career development of each subordinate under their supervision. It is the TSgts responsibility to ensure that all enlisted personnel have the tools, training and support they need to achieve maximum performance and accomplish total mission effectiveness. The average Air Force wide active duty time for promotion to the rank of Technical Sergeant is 1. Moving up the Air Force Ranks The promotion process for Tech Sergeant is identical to the process for promotion to Staff Sergeant, except for the minimum requirements of 5 years Time in Serve TIS and 2. Time in Grade TIG, in addition to achieving a 7 skill level. Air Force Senior Non Commissioned Officer SNCO Ranks E 7 through E 9Air Force enlisted members E 7 and above are referred to as SNCOs. Air Force SNCOs 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. Like the NCO ranks, Senior NCOs are rated by their Skill Levels. The following is a breakdown of the Air Forces SNCO required skill levels 7 Level Supervisor. Technical Sergeant E 6 to Master Sergeant E 79 Level Manager. Skill level assigned to E 8s and E 9s. Master Sergeant E 7The Master Sergeant MSgt functions primarily as a craftsman while holding more advanced leadership positions. MSgts hold a 7 skill level. This rank carries significantly increased responsibilities and requires a broad technical and managerial perspective.