Studying key to earning next stripe

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Becky J. LaRaia
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Enlisted promotion hopefuls will need to pull out their study materials as the next testing cycle is on the horizon.

Testing for promotion to technical sergeant and master sergeant will be held throughout the Air Force Feb. 15 through March 31, and testing for staff sergeant will be held May 1 through May 31.

Taking the time to study is key to making that next stripe, said Master Sgt. David Lawrence, 43rd Airlift Wing career assistance adviser here. “That’s probably the No. 1 thing that people miss out on. They think time-in-grade or time-in-service is going to carry them over, and they’re going to get promoted automatically.”

Some examinees do not give equal attention to both the Specialty Knowledge Test and the Promotion Fitness Examination when studying, Sergeant Lawrence said.

“Each of them are worth 100 points, so you’ve really got to give emphasis to both,” he said. “Some people are under the perception that they know their job really well, and they don’t really need to study the SKT. For the most part, you don’t know your job by the book as well as you might think you do.”

As an aerospace ground equipment mechanic, Sergeant Lawrence said that he only worked about 20 percent of the equipment he would have been tested on.

Airmen are also responsible for ensuring their records are updated at the military personnel flight before they test. Updated records can be critical in the game of making rank, Sergeant Lawrence said.

“A medal can be worth one, three or even five points, and you see a lot of people who miss (making rank) by less than a point or even a couple of points,” he said.

Although testing is emphasized, Sergeant Lawrence said merit is incorporated as well. “Nearly half of your promotion score could be based on merit,” he said.

The Weighted Airman Promotion System is made up of six different categories. Airmen can receive up to 135 points for enlisted performance reports, 100 points for their SKT, 100 points for their PFE, 25 points for decorations and awards, 60 points for time-in-grade and 40 points for time-in-service.

“Testing is just making sure that you know what you need to know before moving on to the next rank,” Sergeant Lawrence said. “The Air Force promotes on potential. Each test gets a little more difficult, and it’s because they’re not testing you on what you’re already doing, but what you need to be doing when you get to that next rank.”

Sergeant Lawrence challenged first-time testers to take complete advantage of the current high promotion rates.

“When I was at four years in service, I was just sewing on (E-4). Times have changed, and that opportunity is there, if (people) really prepare for it. There is no reason why most people can’t get promoted on their first try,” Sergeant Lawrence said.

Selections for technical and master sergeant are scheduled to be released the first Thursday in June, and selections to staff sergeant are scheduled to be released the first Wednesday in August.