Tech., master promotion rates nearly same as last year

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Air Force officials have selected 6,217 of 23,956 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant, a 25.95-percent selection rate; and 9,114 of 42,248 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant, a 21.57-percent selection rate.

The final tally will increase as Air Force Personnel Center officials here receive test scores for Airmen currently deployed. Each of those Airmen has 30 to 60 days to test after he or she returns home.

"We have roughly 3,000 warriors who haven't tested yet because they've been deployed,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Billingsley, enlisted promotions branch chief at the center. “They will be allowed to test when they return, and we'll automatically consider them for promotion. We do this as quickly as possible and announce supplemental promotions on a monthly basis until everyone has been considered."

The master sergeant selection rate rose .39 percentage points from last year, while this year's technical sergeant rate dropped .32 percentage points from last year.

"This year has proven to be another banner year in terms of the number of people who have been able to earn promotions,” Chief Billingsley said. “The Air Force had predicted we'd see rates start to stabilize and that's what is happening here.

"The rates this year are almost identical to last year's rates, but we are actually able to promote several thousand more people to each rank than we did initially last year," he said. "That's because we're getting a better handle on testing folks before they deploy -- trying to get in sync with the (air and space expeditionary force) battle rhythm.

"The higher number of people selected is very good news for those Airman who are showing through performance and preparation the potential for more responsibility and the higher rank to go with it,” the chief said. “The message is clear: There is opportunity for those who want to step up to the challenge."

Air Force officials will release both promotion lists at 9 a.m. CDT on June 24. The complete list of selectees will be posted to the Air Force Personnel Center's Web page at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/eprom/ by 6 p.m. CDT on June 25.

People who tested are expected to receive their score notices in early July, allowing them to see just how their promotion fitness examination and specialty knowledge test scores rank against others within their Air Force specialty. Each individual can also get an electronic copy of his or her score notice June 28 by logging into the virtual military personnel flight at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/.

The average master sergeant selectee score for the 04E7 master sergeant test cycle was 340.73 points, based on the following:

-- 134.33 points for enlisted performance reports.

-- 64.01 points for promotion fitness exam.

-- 64.86 points for specialty knowledge test.

-- 28.30 points for time in grade.

-- 36.10 points for time in service.

-- 21.21 points for decorations.

The average master sergeant selectee has 3.64 years time in grade and 17.22 years in service. Those selected will be promoted to master sergeant August to July 2005.

The average selectee score for the 04E6 technical sergeant test cycle was 317.55 points, based on the following:

-- 133.02 points for enlisted performance reports.

-- 62.35 points for promotion fitness exam.

-- 55.66 points for specialty knowledge test.

-- 33.72 points for time in grade.

-- 25.19 points for time in service.

-- 5.91 points for decorations.

The average technical sergeant selectee has 4.55 years time in grade and 11.46 years in service. Those selected will be promoted to technical sergeant August to July 2005. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)