AFH 1 · Chapter 9 · Section 9.5

Basic Promotion Guidelines

Part of Profession of Arms · 8 sections · ~429 words · WAPS PFE study material

📝 Practice 3,000+ WAPS questions on RankLab — free for E-5 and E-6 prep.

Try Free →

Promotion to Airman

Eligibility

Airman Basic may be promotion eligible to Airman (E-2) at:

- 6 months of time in grade

Promotion to Airman First Class

Eligibility

Airman may be promotion eligible to Airman First Class (E-3) at:

- 10 months of time in grade

Six-Year Enlistment Exception

Airmen initially enlisting for a period of six years are promoted from Airman Basic to Airman First Class upon completion of either:

Technical training, OR
20 weeks of technical training after graduation from BMT

*(Whichever occurs first.)*

Date of Rank

The DOR for Airman First Class is then adjusted to the signatory date on the BMT certificate — without back pay and allowances.

Promotion to Senior Airman

Eligibility

Airmen may be promotion eligible to Senior Airman (E-4) upon completion of:

36 months of time in service AND 20 months of time in grade, OR
28 months of time in grade *(whichever occurs first)*

Required skill level in primary AFSC: 3-level

Below-the-Zone

BTZ

Senior Airman below-the-zone is a one-time promotion consideration to advance to Senior Airman six months earlier than basic promotion timelines.

Promotion to Staff Sergeant

Eligibility

Senior Airmen may be promotion eligible to Staff Sergeant (E-5) upon completion of:

3 years of time in service
6 months of time in grade

Required skill level in primary AFSC: 5-level

Test Cycle

PECD: 31 March
Test cycle: May – June

Promotion to Technical Sergeant

Eligibility

Staff Sergeants may be promotion eligible to Technical Sergeant (E-6) upon completion of:

5 years of time in service
23 months of time in grade

Required skill level in primary AFSC: 7-level

Test Cycle

PECD: 31 January
Test cycle: February – March

Promotion to Master Sergeant

Eligibility

Technical Sergeants may be promotion eligible to Master Sergeant (E-7) upon completion of:

8 years of time in service
24 months of time in grade

Required skill level in primary AFSC: 7-level

Cutoff Date

- PECD: 30 November

*(MSgt and above promotions are decided by SNCO evaluation boards, not WAPS testing.)*

Promotion to Senior Master Sergeant

Eligibility

Master Sergeants may be promotion eligible to Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) upon completion of:

11 years of time in service
20 months of time in grade

Required skill level in primary AFSC: 7-level

Cutoff Date

- PECD: 30 September

Promotion to Chief Master Sergeant

Eligibility

Senior Master Sergeants may be promotion eligible to Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) upon completion of:

14 years of time in service
21 months of time in grade

Required skill level in primary AFSC: 9-level

Cutoff Date

- PECD: 31 July

Ready to test what you've learned?

RankLab has 3,000+ WAPS-style practice questions covering every AFH 1 chapter.

Start Free Practice →