Promotion Quotas
The Department of Defense limits the number of Airmen the RegAF may have in the top five enlisted grades (E-5 through E-9).
Quota Drivers
Promotion quotas for Staff Sergeant through Chief Master Sergeant are tied to: - Fiscal year-end strength - Funding limits - Regulatory limits - Number of projected vacancies in specific grades
Statutory Caps
Public law (Title 10, U.S.C., Chapter 36) limits the number of Airmen in the top two enlisted grades.
Hard Caps
Authorized average of enlisted members on RegAF status (other than for training) in a fiscal year:
- E-8 (Senior Master Sergeant): not more than 2.5 percent
- E-9 (Chief Master Sergeant): not more than 1.25 percent