March 1, 2018 Air Force releases senior master sergeant promotion cycle statistics The Air Force has selected 1,549 master sergeants for promotion to senior master sergeant out of 13,054 eligible for a selection rate of 11.87 percent in the 18E8 promotion cycle.
Sept. 19, 2017 Master sergeants to use 2015 promotion study guide for testing Master sergeants testing for promotion in the 18E8 promotion cycle will use the 2015 versions of Air Force Handbook 1 and professional development guide as study reference material, effective immediately.