The U.S. Air Force Enlisted Ranks In Order With Insignias 2023

The U.S. Air Force, established in September 1947, is one of the most powerful and elite military forces. Defending the nation through flying missions, maritime surveillance and peacekeeping has been becoming the U.S. Air Force’ mission. Now, nearly 328,000 active duty members are serving in the Air Force. 

Like other military branches, the Air Force also categorizes their rank based on pay grade which determine various factors, encompassing training and experience level, time in serve, and education level. In this paper, a complete rank system of the U.S. Air Force enlisted forces from the lowest pay grade – E-1 to the highest – E-9 will be provided for you. 

First of all, let’s take a closer look at three ascending levels of enlisted Air Force ranks as follows:

• Airmen (E-1 through E-4), 
• Non-commissioned officers (NCO)  (E-5 and E-6) 
• Senior non-commissioned officers (E-7 through E-9).

Keep reading till the end to have a detailed overview of the U.S. Air Force Enlisted Ranks and their insignias. 

 

1. U.S. Air Force Enlisted Ranks: Airmen

 

1.1. Airman basic (AB)

 

• Classification: Enlisted airmen
• Yearly basic pay: $21,996.30
• Pay grade: E-1 

The lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force without rank insignia is Airman Basic whose rank is equivalent to the rank of seaman recruit in the Navy.Most airmen receive the rank of airman basic (E-1) after completing their basic military training. 

 E-1 Airman Basic’s responsibilities comprise: 

• Basic training
• Staying accustomed to the military courtesies
• Maintaining professional and physical standards.

Promotions to E-2 are typically automatic as long as the requirements for behavior and performance are met by the Air Force. Six months of time in grade (TIG) and time in service (TIS) are the only prerequisites for promotion. Even though they are still primarily apprentices, airmen are expected to comprehend and adhere to military standards.

 

1.2. Airman (Amn) 

 

 

• Classification: Enlisted airmen

• Yearly basic pay: $24,656.

• Pay Grade: E-2

For those who are just enlisting in the Air Force, Airman is another entry-level rank. It is expected that they finish their training and gain more experience from enlisted personnel, such as the airman fundamentals. The duration of the training may vary and could last a full year. Following basic training, all airmen enroll in specialization (or “job”) training at Air Force schools based on their aptitudes, interests, and the requirements of the Air Force.

 

1.3. Airman First Class (A1C) 

 

• Classification: Enlisted airmen

• Yearly basic pay: $25,920.60

• Pay Grade: E-3

Compared to airman basic, airman first class has more leadership abilities and experience. Their basic duties include being fully adjusted and knowledgeable of the Air Force’s expectations and lifestyle, perfectly executing duties and honing their duty specialty skills, planning their career goals and higher education training such as getting a bachelor’s degree

First-class airmen are given more and more responsibility. It is expected of an Airman First Class to adhere to Air Force regulations and set an example for subordinates. 

Before being promoted to airman first class, airmen basic (E-2) must have completed at least 10 months of school. For first class airmen, there are no time in service (TIS) requirements. 

 

1.4. Senior Airman (SrA)

 

• Classification: Enlisted airmen

• Yearly basic pay: $28,716.40

• Pay Grade: E-4

Airmen at the entry level are not frequently given the Senior Airman rank in the U.S. Force. Compared to younger airmen, this position carries more responsibility and expertise.

As they get closer to being ready to become noncommissioned officers (NCOs), the personnel should also possess technical skills and be proficient. Additionally, some senior airmen might work as military recruiters or instructors for basic training. Besides, to further develop their leadership abilities, they ought to go to the Airman Leadership School.

Through professional military education (PME) and independent study, airmen must acquire supervisory and leadership skills. They must conduct themselves in a way that adheres to accepted norms and sets a good example for both their peers and their subordinates.Senior airmen portray a professional, honest, and proud image.

To become a senior airman, airman first class must have 28 months’ time in grade (TIG). Additionally, it takes three years to advance to the rank of senior airman across the entire service. However, there are some exceptions as follows: 

Air Force unit commanders are permitted to advance 15% of their outstanding first class (E-3) airmen to senior (E-4) airmen six months before the regular TIS based primarily on a promotion board.

 

2. U.S Air Force Enlisted Ranks: Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) 

 

2.1. Staff sergeant (SSgt)

 

 

• Classification: Noncommissioned Officer
• Yearly basic pay: $31,320.30
• Pay Grade: E-5

The lowest noncommissioned officer (NCO) rank is that of a staff sergeant in the Air Force. In addition to their skill proficiency, they are accustomed to leading less experienced airmen and attending to their needs.

They might also serve as the department’s chief of staff and collaborate closely with other officers to carry out their duties. To perform the duties of noncommissioned officers, they should finish coursework leading to a bachelor’s or associate’s degree and enroll in the Airman Leadership School.

With specific NCO supervisory duties and a skill level of either 5 (journeyman) or 7 (craftsman), the staff sergeant is regarded as a craftsman. The SSgt must additionally work hard to advance their development as technicians and supervisors. To reach the rank of staff sergeant, an Air Force member must have served on active duty for an average of more than four years.

Three years of service time (TIS) and six months of grade time (TIG) are prerequisites for promotion to staff sergeant. Before advancing to the rank of staff sergeant, airmen must also complete the Airman Leadership School in-residence, overcome the WAPS competition, and obtain the 5-skill level.

 

2.2. Technical sergeant (TSGT)

 

• Classification: Noncommissioned officer

• Yearly basic pay: $34,188.40

• Pay Grade: E-6

The second tier of Air Force NCO ranks is technical sergeant (TSgt). Technical sergeants are competent enough to handle a wider variety of responsibilities. They are skilled and can teach others how to acquire new abilities, therefore, they are in charge of each employee under their supervision’s professional development. They have fully honed their leadership abilities and paid attention to detail.

Finally, they have experience writing performance reviews and responding to memos. The TSgts are in charge of making sure that every enlisted member of the team has access to the equipment, instruction, and support they require to perform to their absolute potential and complete every mission objective.  To reach the rank of technical sergeant, an Air Force member must have served an average of 12 years on active duty.

The promotion procedure for a technical sergeant is the same as the promotion procedure for a staff sergeant, with the exception of the minimum requirements of 5 years of time in service (TIS) and 23 months of time in grade (TIG), as well as attaining a 7-skill level.

 

3. U.S Air Force Enlisted Ranks: Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Ranks 

 

3.1. Master sergeant  (MSGT)

 

• Classification: Noncommissioned officers

• Yearly basic pay: $39,528.30

• Pay Grade: E – 7

The senior NCO rank that moves from operating and supervising to leading is the master sergeant. They have strong leadership qualities, pay close attention to detail, have experience in writing performance reports and addressing memorandums like technical sergeants as well as hold a 7-skill level. While serving in more senior leadership roles, the master sergeant (MSgt) primarily performs as a craftsman. 

This rank entails significantly more duties and necessitates a broad technical and managerial outlook. To reach the rank of master sergeant, an individual must have been on active duty for an average of more than 17 years.

The promotion process for master sergeant is the same as the promotion processes for staff sergeant and technical sergeant, with the exception of the minimum requirements, which include achieving a 7-skill level and having eight years of time-in-service (TIS) and 24 months of time-in-grade (TIG).

 

3.2. Senior master sergeant (SMSgt)

 

• Classification: Noncommissioned officers

• Yearly basic pay: $56,868.10

• Pay Grade: E-8

The senior master sergeant of the United States Air Force is a highly skilled operational leader of all units.  They serve as mentors to junior officers and NCOs and are tasked with commanding high-level units. They must train and operate in teams with numerous enlisted Air Force members.

As first sergeants, they are more concerned with the welfare of the enlisted personnel in the unit. Some senior master sergeants have post-baccalaureate degrees and can take part in activities that will improve their leadership, skills, and intellectual capacity.

A superintendent or manager’s duties are expected of a senior master sergeant (SMSgt).  For SMSgts to effectively carry out the duties of their higher leadership positions, they need a broad range of management skills. For promotion to the rank of senior master sergeant, the typical service-wide, active-duty time is more than 20 years.

The SMSgt promotion system is extremely competitive due to the fact that public law only permits 2% of the enlisted population to be in the grades of E8. WAPS points and a Central Evaluation Board that reviews promotion records are both used to determine senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant promotions in the Air Force. An MSgt must have a minimum of 20 months of TIG and 11 years of TIS in order to be promoted.

The Central Evaluation Board (CEB) is the main consideration for promotions to senior master sergeant.  The Air Force organizes the CEB, which consists of several three-person panels, twice a year, once for senior master sergeant (January) and once for chief master sergeant (October). Every panel looks at the promotion histories for particular AFSCs (jobs).This implies that the same panel will evaluate everyone’s records within a specific AFSC.

Performance, professional competence, leadership, job responsibility, breadth of experience, specific achievements, and educational level are all factors taken into account by the panels when evaluating the promotion records.

 

3.3. Chief master sergeant (CMSgt)

 

• Classification: Noncommissioned officers

• Yearly basic pay: $69,468.10

• Pay Grade: E-9

The highest ranking enlisted officers are Chief Master Sergeants in the Air Force. Within their unit, they have command over every enlisted person. Additionally, they hold staff roles in higher-level units. Officers in company grade (grades O-1 to O-3) and field grade (grades O-4 to O-6) must contact the chief master sergeant to inquire about their education and work history.

Additionally, they act as superintendents, establishing guidelines for the enlisted force and ensuring the accomplishment of the mission.  The average service-wide, active-duty time for advancement to the rank of chief master sergeant is more than 22 years.

 

3.4. Command chief master sergeant (CCM) 

 

 

• Classification: Noncommissioned officers

• Yearly basic pay: n/a

• Pay Grade: E-9

Chief Master Sergeants hold a unique title known as the command chief master in the Air Force. They serve as senior advisors to the organization’s top commanders, such as the Number Air Forces and Wings.

They are in charge of overseeing the unit’s enlisted members and making sure missions’ objectives are accomplished. First sergeants, master sergeants, and senior noncommissioned officers consult them.

Only one percent of Air Force enlisted personnel can ever hold the grade of E9, which makes the competition for CMSgt promotions extremely tight. In order to promote someone to chief master sergeant in the Air Force, the Central Evaluation Board and WAPS points are both taken into consideration. A SMSgt must have a minimum of 14 years TIS and 21 months TIG to be eligible for promotion.

 

3.5. Chief master sergeant of the air force (CMSAF)

• Classification: Noncommissioned officer (special)

• Yearly basic pay: $69,468.10

• Pay Grade: SEA

With regard to duties and pay grade, this rank is the highest among enlisted personnel and a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. Chief master sergeants also counsel other senior noncommissioned officers and act as their leaders.

The CMSAF is a senior enlisted adviser to the Air Force Chief of Staff and the secretary of the Air Force on all matters pertaining to the welfare, readiness, morale, and effective use and advancement of the enlisted force. The CMSAF is appointed by the Air Force Chief of Staff (AF/CC).

In a nutshell, the U.S. Air Force Enlisted Ranks in order with their insignias have been provided in this paper. Follow our platform to see more informative articles and remember to sit for our ASVAB Practice Questions to prepare well for your military entrance exam!