
USAF Enlisted Rank Structure
Rank | Rank (Abbrev.) | Pay Grade |
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force | CMSAF | E-9 |
Command Chief Master Sergeant | CCM | E-9 |
Chief Master Sergeant | CMSgt | E-9 |
Senior Master Sergeant | SMSgt | E-8 |
Who wrote the enlisted force structure?
The enlisted force structure: a word from Dyess’ CCC. By Chief Master Sgt. Paul Wheeler, 7th Bomb Wing command chief / Published December 14, 2006
What is the US Army force structure?
- Inspector General of the Army
- Army Auditor General
- Deputy Under Secretary of the Army
- Deputy Under Secretary of the Army for Business Transformation
- Chief, Legislative Liaison
- Chief, Public Affairs
- Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office
- General Counsel of the Army
- Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army
What does force structure mean?
Force structuring considers the allocation of officers and other service men and women, their skills, and the relationship between their military units required to provide mutual support during military operations as a military capability of the armed forces in part or as a whole.
Can enlisted put enlisted at attention?
When in ranks, a position of attention is maintained unless otherwise directed. Outdoor salutes are exchanged between officers or warrant officers and enlisted members of the armed forces whenever they are in uniform. Enlisted members are not required to salute among themselves. This applies both on and off military installations.

What are the 3 enlisted tiers?
Army. Enlisted Army ranks are broken down into three groups: Junior Enlisted Ranks (E-1 through E-3), Non-Commissioned Officers (E-4 through E-6), and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (E-7 through E-9).
What AFI is the enlisted force structure?
For years now, alongside the Little Blue Book has been the Little Brown Book, or as it is formally known, Air Force Instruction 36-2618, “The Enlisted Force Structure.” Distributed to Airmen at Basic Military Training, the handbook spells out the “professional standards and roles and responsibilities for each enlisted ...
What is the structure of the Air Force?
Most wings have approximately four groups within them, consisting of an Operational Group, Maintenance Group, Mission Support Group, and Medical Group. Groups are typically led by Colonels. The organizations under the groups are the squadrons, which are known as the pulse in the Air Force.
What are the three enlisted leadership and development levels?
The three enlisted leadership and developmental levels added to the instruction are tactical, operational and strategic.
What are the three enlisted force structures?
The enlisted force is comprised of three distinct and separate tiers: Junior Enlisted Airmen, Noncommissioned Officers, and Senior Noncommissioned Officers. Each tier correlates to increased levels of education, training, and experience, as well as leadership and managerial responsibilities.
Is Air Force ranked?
Enlisted Air Force ranks are broken down into three levels: Airmen (E-1 through E-4), non-commissioned officers (E-5 and E-6) and senior non-commissioned officers (E-7 through E-9). The Air Force is the only one of the five branches of the U.S. military where NCO status is achieved at the grade of E-5.
What are Air Force soldiers called?
airmenMembers of the U.S. Army and National Guard are soldiers. Members of the Air Force are airmen.
What is a platoon in the Air Force?
Platoon. A platoon is four squads: generally three rifle squads and one weapons squad, normally armed with machine guns and anti-tank weapons. Lieutenants lead most platoons, and the second-in-command is generally a sergeant first class.
Is a group bigger than a wing?
In most Commonwealth air forces, as well as some others, a wing is usually made up of three or four squadrons. In these air forces a wing is inferior to a group. Originally all wings were usually commanded by a wing commander (equivalent to a lieutenant colonel).
What is the role of a senior enlisted leader?
Senior Enlisted Leaders (SELs) represent their commander, communicating the commander's goals and direction for the command to the enlisted workforce, while simultaneously representing the enlisted personnel's views and concerns to the commander.
What is an NCO Air Force?
The Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) is the second level of Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) and prepares Technical Sergeants to be professional, war-fighting Airmen and Space Professionals who can manage and lead units in the employment of Air and Space power.
What does TSgt stand for?
Technical Sergeant (TSgt) is the second Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank in the US Air Force. It is the rank just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant.
What is a jnco Air Force?
1. JNCO. Junior NCO. WW2, Military, Armed Forces.
Is NCO a senior airman?
In addition, senior airmen who complete Airman Leadership School may be expected to supervise lower-ranking airmen but are not considered non-commissioned officers and therefore have limited authority.
What is the Air Force NCO charge?
The NCO Charge is the additional responsibilities and authorities willingly accepted by every NCO. Each of the eight charges is a building block forming the pillars that support the non-commissioned officer corps and the U.S. Air Force.
What is the Little Brown Book Air Force?
The Enlisted Force Structure, or “Brown Book,” provides a standard baseline to best meet mission requirements, while outlining foundational and occupational competencies Airmen should develop as they progress in rank and responsibility.
What is the job of an enlisted officer?
Your job as an officer is to focus on leadership and ensuring your enlisted members have what they need to accomplish the mission. Your enlisted members’ job is to be the technical expert and complete the mission.
What is the Oath of Enlistment?
At some point in your career, you may also be honored with the opportunity to administer the Oath of Enlistment, which is taken by enlisted members when they enlist in the USAF, and upon each subsequent reenlistment. It’s also important to know that the enlisted force is where most of your subject matter experts work.
What is the first class in the Air Force?
Airman First Class is when many Airmen have become acclimated to life in the Air Force and are becoming more knowledgeable in their career fields. Senior Airman are becoming subject matter experts and begin taking a larger leadership and mentoring role in their units.
What are the different tiers of the USAF?
These tiers are the Airman Tier, Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Tier , and the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SMCO) Tier.
What are the ranks of an Airman?
The Airman Ranks include pay grades E-1 through E-4. Most Airmen graduate Basic Military Training (BMT) as an E-1, unless their contract states they would either come in the Air Force, or graduate BMT, at a higher pay grade.
What is the first shirt in the army?
These include, but are not limited to: First Sergeant (E-7 – E-9): The First Sergeant, or First Shirt, is special duty assignment held by a SNCO. The First Shirt is responsible for the morale, welfare, and conduct of all the enlisted members in a squadron.
Who appointed the CMASF?
The CMASF is appointed by the Air Force Chief of Staff and serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the enlisted force.

Senior Noncommissioned Officers
Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Tier
- This tier is where staff sergeants and technical sergeants transition from workers and journeymen to craftsman and supervisory positions as they develop militaryleadership skills and attend Professional Military Education (PME).
Airman Tier
- This tier consists of senior airmen, airmen first class, airmen, and basic airmen. It is the initial tier of the three-tier enlisted force structure. A member progressing from airman basic to senior airman acquires the discipline, skills, and education necessary to become eligible for NCO status. The following table outlines the three tiers and their appropriate rankings, accompanied by the p…
Air Force Enlisted Ranks and Responsibilities
- The rank of chief master sergeant (CMSgt) is the highest Air Forceenlisted rank, with the exception of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. CMSgts are superintendents and managers, and they provide senior enlisted leadership. They are assigned chief enlisted manager (CEM) codes upon selection to CMSgt and may fill any managerial-level position and perform al…
Rank and Precedence
- Within the same rank, precedence is determined in the following order: 1. Date of rank 2. Total active federal military service (TAFMS) date 3. Total military service date 4. Date of birth