1. THE ENLISTED FORCE

2. Overview Foundations of the Enlisted Force
Air Force Enlisted Force Evolution
Evolution of Duties and Status
The Enlisted Force Structure
General Responsibilities
Enlisted Education
Additional Resources

3. Foundations of the Enlisted Force
Organization
Use many ranks from 1775
Adopted British Army & Navy Concepts with minimal changes
Professional Military Names
Names used for ranks go back several centuries
Soldier: Comes from Latin word “solidus”
Sergeant: Comes from Latin word “serviens”
Insignia
First US military insignia used during revolutionary war
By order of General George Washington

4. Air Force Enlisted Force Evolution
Beginnings
Need to bolster military aviation
Army Signal Corps
WWI
WWII
Need for technical skills
Enlisted pilot program

5. Evolution of Duties and Status
The Career Force
Changing American Society’s Perceptions
Internal Changes
Doolittle Board
Structure
55/45 Policy
55% Career & 45% First Term

6. Evolution of Duties and Status
Noncommissioned Officers
Work without supervision
Understand complex job-related problems
Train subordinates
Senior Master Sergeant & Chief Master Sergeant Ranks
Opened up promotions
Promote highly qualified NCOs
Eased promotion stagnation (Korean Hump)

7. Evolution of Duties and Status
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF)
Followed tradition of Army and Marine Corps
October 1966: CMSAF position created
April 1967: CMSgt Paul Airey First CMSAF
Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA)
Created in 1970
Fill communication gap between CMSAF and lower echelons
1 November 1998: Title formally changed to Command Chief Master Sergeant (CCM)

8. The Enlisted Force Structure
Three Distinct and Separate Tiers
Junior Enlisted Airman Tier
Noncommissioned Officer Tier
Senior Noncommissioned Officer Tier
Each Tier:
Correlates to an increased level of education, training, and experience
Correlates to an increased level of proficiency
Correlates to increased leadership and managerial responsibilities

9. The Enlisted Force Structure
Philosophy
Provide consistent, well-defined expectations, standards & opportunities for growth of ALL Airmen
The Air Force Core Values are at the core of everything we do
We are all Airmen, regardless of specialty

10. The Enlisted Force Structure
Purpose
Provide an enlisted force structure that best meets mission requirements
Provide a common, stable career structure for all enlisted personnel
Provide all Airmen the opportunity for professional growth

11. Junior Enlisted Airman Tier
Airman Basic (AB)
Pay Grade: E-1
Airman (Amn)
Pay Grade: E-2
Airman First Class (A1C)
Pay Grade: E-3
Senior Airman (SrA)
Pay Grade: E-4

12. Junior Enlisted Airman Tier
Airman Basic (AB)
Responsibilities:
Adapt to the requirements of the profession of arms
Gain knowledge of military customs, courtesies, Air Force standards
Attain occupational proficiency
Official term of address: Airman Basic or Airman
Airman (Amn)
Continue to learn and adapt to the profession of arms
Begin to show job proficiency
Still require significant supervision and support
Official term of address: Airman

13. Junior Enlisted Airman Tier
Airman First Class (A1C)
Responsibilities:
Master skills in career field; become effective team members
Typically earn 5-skill level at this grade
Continued supervision is essential to technical and professional growth at this level
Official term of address: Airman First Class or Airman
Senior Airman (SrA)
Perform as skilled technicians and trainers
Begin to develop supervisory and leadership skills
Attend Airman Leadership School (ALS)—may serve as supervisors upon completion
Official term of address: Senior Airman or Airman

14. Noncommissioned Officer Tier
Staff Sergeant (SSgt)
Pay Grade: E-5
Technical Sergeant (TSgt)
Pay Grade: E-6

15. Noncommissioned Officer Tier
Staff Sergeant (SSgt)
Responsibilities:
Highly-skilled technicians
Supervise, train, and develop subordinates
Official term of address: Staff Sergeant or Sergeant
Technical Sergeant (TSgt)
Organizational technical experts
Develop subordinates
Attend Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA)
Official term of address: Technical Sergeant or Sergeant

16. Senior Noncommissioned Officer Tier
Master Sergeant (MSgt)
Pay Grade: E-7
Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt)
Pay Grade: E-8
Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt)
Pay Grade: E-9

17. Senior Noncommissioned Officer Tier
Master Sergeant (MSgt)
Responsibilities:
Transition from technical experts and first-line supervisors to operational leaders
Significantly increased responsibilities
MSgt selects should enroll in & complete SNCO professional military education via distance learning
Official term of address: Master Sergeant or Sergeant
Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt)
Key, experienced, operational leaders
Continue professional development
Official term of address: Senior Master Sergeant or Sergeant

18. Senior Noncommissioned Officer Tier
Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt)
Highest Air Force enlisted rank
Operate at operational or strategic levels of leadership
Superintendents and managers
Provide senior enlisted leadership
Official term of address: Chief Master Sergeant or Chief

19. Special Senior Noncommissioned Officer Positions
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF)
Senior enlisted leader of the Air Force
Provides leadership to the Air Force
Advises Air Force Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Air Force, and Secretary of Defense on enlisted matters

20. Special Senior Noncommissioned Officer Positions
Command Chief Master Sergeant (CCM)
Senior enlisted leader in a wing, major command (MAJCOM), number Air Force (NAF, etc.
Provides leadership to the enlisted force of the organization
Advises commanders on enlisted matters

21. Special Senior Noncommissioned Officer Positions
Superintendent
Squadron, group, or function at wing-level position
Provides leadership, management, and guidance to meet mission needs
Work with commander and Command Chief Master Sergeant to execute mission accomplishment

22. Special Senior Noncommissioned Officer Positions
First Sergeant
Go-to for all readiness, morale, welfare, and quality of life issues within the organization
Advise commanders and command chiefs on morale, discipline, recognition, and professional development of enlisted Airmen

23. General Responsibilities
All Airmen Must
Accept and execute all duties, lawful orders, & responsibilities in a timely manner
Maintain highest level of personal readiness
Exhibit professional behavior, military bearing, respect for authority, and high standards of dress and personal appearance, on- and off-duty
Correct other Airmen who violate standards
Understand, accept, and demonstrate the Air Force Core Values and the Airman’s Creed

24. General Responsibilities
All Airmen Must (Continued)
Actively support and enforce the Air Force’s “zero tolerance” policy for discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault
Know and understand the Wingman concept
Demonstrate effective followership by enthusiastically supporting, explaining, and promoting leaders’ decisions
Continue professional development through on- and off-duty education

25. Enlisted Education Enlisted Professional Military Education
Airman Leadership School (ALS)
Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA)
Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (SNCOA)
Professional Development
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
Civilian Education

26. Additional Resources For more information on the enlisted force:
AFPAM , Professional Development Guide (PDG)
AFI , The Enlisted Force Structure
Resources for supervising enlisted Airmen:
SNCOs and First Sergeant
AFI 1-1, Air Force Standards
AFI , Enlisted and Officer Evaluation Systems
Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) & Manual for Courts Martial (MCM)
AFI , Airman Promotion/Demotion Programs
AFI , The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program

27. Summary Foundations of the Enlisted Force
Air Force Enlisted Force Evolution
Evolution of Duties and Status
The Enlisted Force Structure
General Responsibilities
Enlisted Education
Additional Resources

28. “Successful People use their strength by recognizing, developing and utilizing the talents of others.”
—Ziglar