Guide to US Air Force Officer Ranks: Types and Definitions (2023)

FAQs

What are the rank categories for Air Force officers? ›

There are two categories of Airmen within the Air Force: Enlisted (E-1 through E-9), which include noncommissioned officers, and commissioned officers (O-1 through O-10).

On the service dress uniform, metal rank insignia pins are worn on the epaulets of the Air Force Blue service dress jacket. Rank insignia are also worn on epaulets which slide onto the epaulet loops on the light blue shirt; the rank insignia is embroidered in silver or gold thread on an Air Force blue field.

Senior Master Sergeant (E-8)

The average servicewide, active-duty time for advancement to the rank of senior master sergeant is more than 20 years. Moving up the Air Force Ranks: Because public law allows only 2% of the enlisted workforce to be in the grades of E8, the SMSgt promotion system is highly competitive.

All military enlisted personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize a commissioned or warrant officer, except when it is inappropriate or impractical (for example, if you're carrying something using both hands).

Over 90% of the pilots within a flying squadron who make it to 20 years will retire as an O-5. For those who wish to continue their career, they may be eligible for promotion to O-6 after four years as an O-5.

Airman is both the most common rank among the enlisted officers and a general term for anybody in the United States Air Force.

Who is the lowest ranked Air Force officer? ›

The correct option is C Aircraftsman.

Upon graduation, Cadets are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Air Force and earn a Bachelor of Science degree.

Sergeant (three stripes) Staff Sergeant (four stripes) Technical Sergeant (five stripes)

U.S. military colonels rank above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general. The modern day insignia for a colonel is a silver eagle with a U.S. shield on its chest and holding an olive branch in one talon and a bundle of arrows in the other. The eagle insignia led to the informal term “full-bird colonel.”

Both officers and enlisted members of the U.S. Armed Forces are entitled to an initial clothing allowance. Office , however, are only entitled to the allowance once except in the situation noted below: Upon first reporting for active duty (other than for training) for a period of more than 90 days.

To get from an entry-level position and grade to one of the highest-ranking grades, you will need to have acquired over 20 years in service as well as passing all relevant skill tests, showing authoritative behaviors, and also passing through a panel who make the decisions for high ranking positions.

Promotion to senior master sergeant is the most difficult enlisted promotion to attain in the Air Force and Space Force. It is the second enlisted grade in which results of a central promotion board is the only factor in selection for promotion.

What is the average salary for a Colonel at Us Army Retired in the United States? Based on our data, it appears that the optimal compensation range for a Colonel at Us Army Retired is between $91,756 and $101,357, with an average salary of $96,542.

What is the average age of a colonel? ›

Colonel Age Breakdown

Interestingly enough, the average age of colonels is 30-40 years old, which represents 41% of the population.

Meet minimum Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT) scores and grade point Average (GPA). The AFOQT minimum of 10 or higher on the Quantitative score and 15 or higher on the Verbal score is mandatory for all applicants. Minimum GPA for rated and non-rated applicants is 2.50.

Air Force personnel may dream of going from an entry-level rank and climbing the ladder up to a high-ranking grade, but this will require more than 20 years of experience, and one must exhibit exemplary skill and dedication for a rank increase.

Officers usually incur a service commitment of four to six years with pilots incurring a 10-year obligation. During your time in the Air Force you may deploy to locations around the world in support of contingencies such as combat operations and humanitarian missions.

Warrant officers are referred to as "Mr." or "Ms.," although once promoted to CWO2, they are typically referred to informally as "chief." In the Marines and the Navy, warrant officers are formally addressed as "sir" or "ma'am" by subordinate enlisted personnel.

When you see a vehicle with General Officer Stars or a Colonel Rank on the license plate, you will salute the vehicle.

Warrant Officers outrank all enlisted members, but are not required to have a college degree. Commissioned Officers outrank Warrant Officers and enlisted service members, and must have a minimum of a four-year bachelor's degree.

They're eager to stay and earn the pay increases and freedoms that come with seniority. However, there is a limit. In the U.S., the maximum retirement age for pilots is currently 65, mirroring the international mandatory retirement age set by the International Civil Aviation Authority.

The airline transport pilot (ATP) is the most advanced pilot certificate one can obtain, and it's necessary for those who want to fly commercial airliners for a living. All commercial airlines now require a pilot applicant to have an ATP certificate.

In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65. However, these pilots may stay on with a Part 121 carrier in some other role, such as flight engineer.

What rank is an A1C in the Air Force? ›

Airman first class (A1C) is the third enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, just above airman and below senior airman. The rank of airman first class is considered a junior enlisted rank, with the non-commissioned officers and senior non-commissioned officers above it.

To become a captain, individuals must have at least four years of service and meet certain performance and leadership requirements. Once these requirements are met, individuals will be promoted to captain and will continue to serve in the air force.

Many military benefits and resources are available to spouses. There is no military spouse pay or stipend, but the military offers a number of benefits to help service members and their families.

That means that most military pilots fall somewhere between ranks O-1 and O-5, depending on how many years they've been in the service.

This occurs often in the US military, to three- or four-star general or flag officers, who can be reduced in rank to no lower than their permanent rank of two-stars, as all ranks above two-stars are temporary, and are linked to their position's office.

The majority of squadron line pilots are flight lieutenants, with some squadron executives or Career Commission aircrew reaching Squadron Leader.

The estimated total pay for a Retired at US Air Force is $88,369 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $88,369 per year.

Defined Benefit: Monthly retired pay for life after at least 20 years of service (so if you retire at 20 years of service, you will get 40% of your highest 36 months of base pay). Retired pay will be calculated as follows: (Years of creditable service x 2.0%) x average of highest 36 months basic pay.

Upon applying, all Air Force applicants must complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) entrance exam. To join as an officer, you must have a four-year college degree or be within 365 days of attaining your bachelor's degree when you apply.

Any commissioned or warrant officer, as well as any commissioned officer of a friendly foreign country is entitled to a salute. You should also salute the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Air Force. Additionally, you need not be in uniform to salute another.

What does the diamond mean in Air Force ranks? ›

A diamond in the middle of their stripes denotes they are a First Sergeant and they are addressed as "Sergeant". There is more than one E-9, Chief Master Sergeant - there is also: E-9 Chief Master Sergeant w/diamond - the diamond denotes they are a First Sergeant.

The highest-ranking of the Air Force's Field-Grade Officers, Colonels are sometimes referred to informally as “Full Birds” because of their distinct eagle insignia and to distinguish them from Lieutenant Colonels, who are also addressed as “Colonel” in correspondence.

Grant joins George Washington and John J. Pershing as the only generals to achieve the rank. This honor has been informally referred to as being a "six-star general." The highest official star rank in the U.S. Army is a five-star general, called the General of the Army.

When an officer retires, their commission normally remains in force and effect forever. In return for the privilege of being legally entitled to being addressed by their military rank and getting all their retirement benefits, they basically remain an "officer of the United States" until death.

If you choose to live off base, you will receive a monthly tax-free Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which pays most, if not all, of your housing costs. The housing allowance is based on civilian rental costs by pay grade, dependency status and location. View specific location allowances here.

According to Department of the Air Force Instruction 36- 2903, retirees may wear the uniform as prescribed at date of retirement, or any of the uniforms authorized for active-duty personnel, including the dress uniforms. Retirees must not mix uniform items.

S/He may not walk and talk on a cell phone at the same time. S/He may not smoke, eat or drink while walking. Hands should not be in their pockets unless they are placing or retrieving an item. Chewing gum or smoking while in uniform is not "military" conduct.

The Indian Air Force is divided into five operational and two functional commands. Each Command is headed by an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Air Marshal.

A Faster Way to E-4

The highest advanced rank one can enlist with under these programs is Airman First Class (E-3). The Air Force is the only service that gives an accelerated promotion for those who agree to enlist for six years.

What is the 10 year rule for officer retirement? ›

To retire from active duty as a commissioned officer, you must have 20 years of active duty service, with at least 10 of those years of service as a commissioned officer (the Secretary of the branch of service may waive this requirement to 8 years of service as a commissioned officer).

When an officer retires, their commission normally remains in force and effect forever. In return for the privilege of being legally entitled to being addressed by their military rank and getting all their retirement benefits, they basically remain an "officer of the United States" until death.

Mandatory retirement at 30 years has been the norm for enlisted personnel across the military branches and in the Coast Guard, with a maximum age of service of 62.

The Air Force general is the highest rank with four stars. In 2022, there are 17 four-star generals. They take charge of command positions in NATO, Numbered Air Forces, and the Chief of Staff.

THE SPECIALTY IN SPECIAL WARFARE. The Airmen who make up Air Force Special Warfare are the most specialized warriors on the planet. They are the ones other special forces look to when the mission calls for their unique skills and fearless commitment.

The Air Force has "airmen." The Department of the Navy has "sailors" and "Marines." The Army is filled with "soldiers." Members of the Coast Guard are referred to as "Coast Guardsmen" by the media (and "Coasties" by their brothers and sisters in arms).

In this case, the “7” skill level is a “craftsman.” Upon promotion to E-5, Airmen begin training for the “7” (craftsman) skill level. This level ​of training includes correspondence courses, more on-the-job training, and for some jobs, a 7-level technical school.