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AFH 1 · Chapter 9 · Section 9.3

Enlisted Promotion Opportunities

Part of Profession of Arms · 6 sections · ~767 words · WAPS PFE study material

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Senior Airman Below-the-Zone Program

Definition
Under the Senior Airman Below-the-Zone Program, Airmen in the grade of Airman First Class may be considered one time for early advancement to Senior Airman.

How It Works

If promoted to Senior Airman below-the-zone, the promotion effective date is six months before their fully qualified date.

Consideration Schedule

Airmen are considered for below-the-zone promotion in the month before the quarter they become eligible:

  • December (for January – March quarter)
  • March (for April – June quarter)
  • June (for July – September quarter)
  • September (for October – December quarter)

Stripes for Exceptional Performers (STEP) Program

Purpose
The STEP Program is designed to meet unique circumstances that, in a commander's judgment, clearly warrant promotion.

Intended to promote Airmen for compelling, although perhaps not quantifiable, reasons.

Important
Isolated acts or specific achievements should NOT be the sole basis for promotion under this program.

Who Can Be Promoted

Commanders at various organizational levels may promote a limited number of exemplary performing Airmen with exceptional potential to:

  • Staff Sergeant
  • Technical Sergeant

Restrictions

Limit
An individual may NOT receive more than one promotion under any combination of promotion programs within a 12-month period.

Exception: Senior Airmen must serve six months of time in grade before being promoted to Staff Sergeant.

Commanders must ensure personnel who are promoted meet eligibility requirements.

Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS)

Definition
NCOs and SNCOs compete for promotion and test under the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) in the Control Air Force Specialty Code (CAFSC) held on the promotion eligibility cutoff date (PECD).

How "Weighted" Works

Contributing factors are "weighted" — assigned points based on their importance relative to promotion.

The Two Tests

Promotion Fitness Exam (PFE): - Wide range of USAF knowledge

Specialty Knowledge Test (SKT): - AFSC broad technical knowledge

Competition Pool

Critical
The USAF makes promotion selections within each AFSC, NOT across all AFSCs.

Eligible Airmen compete with individuals currently working in their AFSC.

Selection Logic

Selectees are individuals with the highest scores in each AFSC, within the quota limitations.

Tie Rule
If more than one individual has the same total score at the cutoff point, the USAF promotes everyone with that score.

Senior Noncommissioned Officer Promotions

SNCO promotions are accomplished via a central board.

Where Each Rank Competes

Airmen compete for promotion in different scopes based on the target rank:

  • MSgt (E-7): in their control AF specialty code
  • SMSgt (E-8): in the superintendent level of their control AF specialty code
  • CMSgt (E-9): in the chief enlisted manager code of their control AF specialty code

All as of the promotion eligibility cutoff date.

Special Duty Identifiers

RI/SDI Rule
Individuals with a reporting indicator or special duty indicator designated as their control AF specialty code on the PECD will compete within that reporting indicator or special duty indicator — not within their original AFSC.

In-System Supplemental Promotion Process

Frequency
The in-system supplemental action is typically processed on a monthly basis.

Who Is Considered

Eligible Staff Sergeants through Senior Master Sergeants whose weighable data changes in their promotion file compete monthly for promotion consideration.

Common Triggers

In-system supplemental consideration also applies to Airmen who test after initial selects have been made, such as:

  • Deployed Airmen
  • Anyone who was unable to test during their normal testing window

SNCO Supplemental Promotion Process

The SNCO supplemental board is for those members promotion-eligible to:

  • Master Sergeant
  • Senior Master Sergeant
  • Chief Master Sergeant
Frequency
Supplemental evaluation boards are conducted on a semiannual basis.

Who Can Request

SNCOs may request to meet the supplemental board if they believe they have a valid request.

Important
With the exception of a missing static closeout date evaluation, there are NO automatic approvals for supplemental board consideration when a record did not meet a previous board for which they were eligible.

When Consideration May Be Denied

Supplemental promotion consideration may NOT be granted if:

  • An error or omission appeared on the data verification record
  • Or in the SNCO selection record in the personnel records display application
  • AND the individual did not take the necessary steps to correct the error prior to promotion selection or evaluation board

How to Request

Fully documented supplemental consideration requests must include:

  • Proof of corrective or follow-up actions taken by the individual to correct the error
  • Submitted to the military personnel flight (MPF) in writing
  • With the recommendation of the individual's unit commander

The MPF forwards the request to Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) for final approval.

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