Tech, master promotion rates down

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Air Force officials have selected 4,832 of 18,903 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant, a 25.56 percent selection rate, and 7,116 of 32,501 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant, a 21.89 percent selection rate.

A higher retention rate -- opening fewer vacancies for each rank -- was one reason promotion rates are lower than last year, Air Force Personnel Center officials here said.

The final tally will increase as tests are received and scored for deployed airmen, said officials. They have 30 to 60 days after they return to test.

"People who have been deployed will be allowed to test when they return, and we'll automatically consider them for promotion. We do this on a monthly basis until everyone is considered." said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Billingsley, enlisted promotions branch chief here.

The master sergeant selection rate dropped 7.67 percent from last year, while this year's technical sergeant rate fell 11.62 percent from last year.

"Overall, we are seeing tech and master sergeant promotion rates drop down to about where we suggested as we reach the goal of increasing the 'top five' enlisted grades from 48 to 56 percent (of the enlisted force)," said Billingsley. "It's important to keep this in perspective -- these are the fifth-highest rates of the last 20 years. That's pretty remarkable and should encourage people that the next stripe is still well within reach."

Air Force officials will release both promotion lists the first duty hour of June 26 (June 27 for those units across the international date line). The complete list of selectees will be posted to AFPC’s Web page, http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/eprom/, by 6 p.m. CDT on June 27.

People who tested can expect 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 code. Each person can also get an electronic copy of his or her score notice, available June 27, by logging into the virtual military personnel flight at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/.

The average master sergeant selectee score was 340.99 points, based on the following:

-- 134.26 for enlisted performance reports.

-- 75.06 for promotion fitness exam.

-- 66.05 for specialty knowledge test.

-- 27.21 for time in grade.

-- 35.94 for time in service.

-- 11.88 for decorations.

The average master sergeant selectee has 3.45 years time in grade and 17.06 years in service. People selected will be promoted to master sergeant from August to July 2004.

The average technical sergeant selectee score was 321.01 points, based on the following:

-- 132.73 for enlisted performance reports.

-- 71.83 for promotion fitness exam.

-- 55.89 for specialty knowledge test.

-- 35.13 for time in grade.

-- 26.70 for time in service.

-- 6.13 for decorations

The average technical sergeant selectee has 4.80 years time in grade and 12.22 years in service. People selected will be promoted to technical sergeant from August to July 2004. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)