SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --   In his first "Enlisted Perspective," Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley discusses the new senior rater policy and use of stratification statements for enlisted performance reports.

Stratification statements take into consideration the number or percentage of enlisted members in a unit when ranking an individual against others. Chief McKinley wrote that "well-meaning supervisors, command chief master sergeants and commanders have devised literally hundreds of ways to stratify."

"Subjective, percentage or functionally-based comments will no longer be allowed," he wrote. "The bottom line is less stratification is better."

Other new policy recommended by the enlisted evaluation system integrated process team was the completion of a Community College of the Air Force degree and Senior NCO Academy, either by correspondence or in residence, before an individual can receive senior rater endorsement consideration.

"Our ultimate goal is to ensure the right Airmen are selected at the right time to assume our top enlisted leadership positions, " the chief wrote.

This "Enlisted Perspective," released Aug. 28, and other senior leader viewpoints can be found on the library section of Air Force Link.