DoD responds to child abuse crisisAir Force rank insignia for staff sergeant, technical sergeant and master sergeant. (Sheila Vemmer/Air Force Times) (Staff)
The Air Force Thursday released the list of more than 5,600 staff sergeants who have been selected for promotion to technical sergeant.
The promotion rate for technical sergeant fell sharply this year, from nearly 23 percent in 2012 to 15 percent. Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Col. Laurel Tingley said a higher retention rate likely led to the low number of selections this year.
“If people are staying and not getting out, there are fewer open positions to promote into,” Tingley said. She said she could not speculate why technical sergeants may be deciding to stay in greater numbers.
The average score for selectees this year was 340.17, 18 points higher than last year’s average score of 321.94. The average specialty knowledge test score increased considerably over last year, from 55.39 to 63.40 this year.
Average promotion fitness examination scores for selectees fell, from 75.37 in 2012 to 72.63 in 2013.
Selectees’ average time in grade increased from 5.39 to 5.52 this year. And their average time in service increased slightly from 10.58 to 10.78.
The Air Force has selected 5,654 staff sergeants for promotion. However, the list released Thursday omits 37 names for secrecy reasons.
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