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AFH 1 · Chapter 9 · Section 9.20

Evaluation Board Process

Part of Profession of Arms · 2 sections · ~500 words · WAPS PFE study material

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Evaluation Board Process — Whats Considered

Areas the Board Looks At

The evaluation board considers several areas regarding an Airman's career:

  • Performance
  • Education
  • Breadth of experience
  • Job responsibility
  • Professional competence
  • Specific achievements
  • Leadership

Why Scores Vary Year to Year

Reality
Board scores vary (often significantly) from one board to the next due to:
  • New panel members with different thought processes
  • Changed or improved records
  • A pool of new eligibles

Fair Comparison Standard

While scores vary between panels, all records within a CEM Code or AFSC are evaluated under the same standard.

Important
The important aspect of a final board score is how one eligible compares to peers in the final order of merit.

What Board Members Don't Know

Blind to Weighted Scores
Board members do NOT have access to the weighted scores of individuals competing for promotion.

When board members disband, they do not know who was selected.

Board Scoring Process

Trial Run

Board members score two selected sets of records as a practice exercise using secret ballots before the actual board scoring begins.

Purpose
Establishes a scoring standard applied consistently across the board. Each board arrives at their own scoring standard.

Live Scoring

The same panel evaluates all eligibles competing in a CEM Code or AFSC.

Each panel member scores using a 6- to 10-point scale with half-point increments.

Score Math

Panel Composite
Each record receives a panel composite score from 3 members:
  • Minimum: 18 (6-6-6)
  • Maximum: 30 (10-10-10)
Total Board Score
Composite (18–30) is multiplied by a factor of 15:
  • Minimum total: 270
  • Maximum total: 450

Independent Scoring

Using a secret ballot, panel members score the record individually with no discussion.

Records are given to each panel member, and after they are scored, the ballots are given directly to a recorder.

Why
Ensures each panel member has scored each record independently.

Split Vote Resolution

Definition
A record scored with a difference of more than one point between any panel members (e.g., 8.5, 8.0, 7.0) is termed a split vote and is returned to the panel for resolution.

Resolution process:

  • All panel members may discuss the record openly
  • Members state why they scored as they did
  • Only those directly involved in the split may change their scores
  • If they cannot agree, the record goes to the board president for resolution
Why
Ensures consistency of scoring and eliminates the possibility that one panel member will have a major impact on an individual's board score.

Post-Board Processing

After the board is finished:

  • Weighted factor scores are combined with board scores
  • This electronic operation builds an order of merit listing by total score within each CEM Code or AFSC
  • The overall promotion quota is then applied to each list
  • After selection results are approved, data is transmitted to the military personnel section

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