JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Are you coming up on a promotion or have an Airman who is unsure when they are eligible to promote? The following information will help you determine when you are eligible for promotion.
Promotion to Airman - six months Time in Grade.
Promotion to Airman 1st Class (four year enlistee) - 10 months TIG.
Promotion to Senior Airman - For six year enlistees awarded Airman 1st Class upon completion of technical training, or 20 weeks of technical training - 36 months Time in Service and 20 months TIG; or 28 months TIG, whichever occurs first.
If an airman is selected for Below-the-Zone, they will pin on Senior Airman six months prior to their fully qualified date. They also must possess a Three skill level.
Promotion to Staff Sgt. - Must be a Five skill level, have six months TIG, and three Total Active Federal Military Service years.
Promotion to Tech Sgt. - Must be a Five level as of the Promotion Eligible Cutoff Date, and a Seven skill level prior to their promotion. They must have 23 months TIG and five years TAFMS.
Promotion to Master Sgt. - Must be a Seven level, 24 months TIG, and eight years TAFMS.
Promotion to Senior Master Sgt. - Must be a Seven level, 20 months TIG, and 11 years TAFMS.
Promotion to Chief Master Sgt. - Must be a Nine skill level, 21 months TIG, and 14 years TAFMS.
The TIG is computed on the first day of the month before the months promotions are normally made in the cycle and the TAFMS is computed on the first day of the last month of the promotion cycle.
I hope you now have a better understanding on when you, or your Airman, are eligible for promotions. Remember, for any promotion, you must get your Commanders recommendation. For more information on this, you should refer to AFPAM 36-2241, para. 15.41, and Table 15.3, or contact the Total Force Contact Center at DSN 665-5000.