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Promotion rates high for E-5, E-6 and E-7

It’s good news if you’re an enlisted airman aspiring toward that next rank in 2010. The senior noncommissioned officer who oversees promotions is upbeat about your chances.

“The 2010 enlisted promotion rates look promising,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Long, the enlisted promotions, evaluations and fitness policy chief. “Nearly all 2009 rates slightly increased from 2008, and we anticipate this year’s rates to hold steady and be comparable to last year.”

Enlisted promotion rates in 2009 increased from 2008 for all competitive ranks except chief master sergeant.

The promotion forecast for officers will not be available until mid- to late-February because personnel officials are still finalizing end-strength numbers, said Capt. Joel Harper, an Air Force spokesman.

Here is a look at what enlisted airmen can expect during the 2010 promotion cycle:

Chronic critical shortage skills

The Air Force Specialty Codes identified as chronic critical shortage career fields — those manned at 85 percent or less — will experience a slightly increased promotion rate of about 1.2 percent, Long said. Donor AFSCs, which are those with more than 100 percent manning, will see a “slight” promotion percentage decrease.

This early in the year, officials can not accurately forecast the AFSCs that will be designated on the Chronic Critical Shortage Skills list, Long said.

However, AFSCs that have been consistently on the list based on low manning are combat control (1C2X1); tactical air command and control (1C4X1); survival, evasion, resistance and escape (1T0X1); pararescue (1T2X1); and explosive ordnance disposal (3E8X1).

Long also expects many other AFSCs to be added to the list during each promotion cycle.

Staff sergeant

Staff sergeant is the first grade for which promotions are competitive, using the Weighted Airman Promotion System.

Last year, 30,574 airmen were eligible for promotion to E-5. The selection rate was 49.79 percent, more than 6 percentage points higher than the 2008 selection rate of 43.45 percent.

Testing for E-5 this year will take place May 1 to June 15.

Technical sergeant

Last year’s selection rate was 20.78 percent, 2.23 percentage points higher than the 2008 rate of 18.55 percent. More than 37,170 airmen were eligible in 2009.

Testing will take place Feb. 1 to March 31.

Master sergeant

More than 22,748 airmen were eligible for promotion to E-7 in 2009. The selection rate was 24.64 percent, again more than 2 percentage points higher than the 2008 rate of 22.31 percent.

Testing for E-7 is scheduled for Feb. 1 to March 31, the same time as the testing for technical sergeant.

Senior master sergeant

Of the 13,216 airmen eligible for promotion to E-8 in 2009, only 10.97 percent were selected. However, the selection rate was still an increase from the 2008 rate of 8.91 percent, and was the highest for that rank since 1987.

The 2010 senior master sergeant board will convene Feb. 1-19; testing was Dec. 1-14.

Chief master sergeant

The selection rate for E-9 was the only one that decreased in 2009. Of the 2,276 airmen eligible, only 475 were selected, for a 20.87 percent selection rate. The selection rate in 2008 was 21.53 percent, the highest since 2005.

The E-9 board will convene Oct. 18-29; testing is scheduled for Sept. 7-10.

Evaluation and qualifications

There will be no changes in evaluation and qualification criteria for E-5 through E-7, Long said. For senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant candidates, board briefs will include completion of Community College of the Air Force. Completion of CCAF will be documented as “yes” or “no.”

In addition, the promotion eligibility cutoff dates are March 31 for staff sergeant and July 31 for chief master sergeant. The PECD for technical sergeant and master sergeant was Dec. 31, 2009. Sept. 30 will be the cutoff date for 2011 senior master sergeant promotions.

Eligible airmen

The number of airmen eligible this year for promotion, by rank, was not available, but officials project the numbers to be similar to those in 2009, Harper said.

While the 2010 outlook for enlisted promotions is slightly better than previous years, Long has some advice for airmen.

“We want all airmen to be aware of these key dates and understand the program so they can do everything in their power to achieve their promotion and career goals,” Long said. “We all know how difficult enlisted promotion tests are, so it’s never too early to prepare.”

Studying and preparation are keys to doing well, Long said.

“Time and again, I hear stories from airmen who did not study and missed promotion by a few points,” he said. “Don’t be the ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ airman. Be the airman who holds your head up high on the release day, knowing you gave it your best shot.”