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In accordance with [[Air Force Instructions|Air Force Instruction]] 36-2618, ''The Enlisted Force Structure'', the term of address for an Airman Basic is "Airman Basic" or "Airman".<ref name="afi36-2618">{{cite manual |
In accordance with [[Air Force Instructions|Air Force Instruction]] (AFI) 36-2618, ''The Enlisted Force Structure'', the term of address for an Airman Basic is "Airman Basic" or "Airman".<ref name="afi36-2618">{{cite manual |
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| author = [[Senior Master Sergeant|SMSgt]] Ronnie L. Murphy |
| author = [[Senior Master Sergeant|SMSgt]] Ronnie L. Murphy |
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| title = The Enlisted Force Structure |
| title = The Enlisted Force Structure |
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==Promotion from AB== |
==Promotion from AB== |
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Under normal circumstances, Airmen Basic are eligible for promotion to Airman (E-2) after six months time-in-grade (TIG). However, individuals enlisting for six years are promoted from AB to [[Airman First Class]] (A1C) upon completion of either technical training (or 20 weeks thereof) or the indoctrination course for Combat Controller and Pararescue. |
Under normal circumstances, Airmen Basic are eligible for promotion to Airman (E-2) after six months time-in-grade (TIG). However, individuals enlisting for six years are promoted from AB to [[Airman First Class]] (A1C) upon completion of either technical training (or 20 weeks thereof) or the indoctrination course for Combat Controller and Pararescue. |
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In accordance with AFI 36-2502, ''Airman Promotion Program'', all promotions from AB require the Airman's immediate commander recommend the promotion in writing before they may assume it.<ref name="afi36-2502">{{cite manual |
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| author = [[Staff Sergeant#United States|SSgt]] Jeremy Gill |
| author = [[Staff Sergeant#United States|SSgt]] Jeremy Gill |
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| title = Airman Promotion Program |
| title = Airman Promotion Program |
Revision as of 21:44, 5 August 2008
Airman Basic (AB) is the lowest enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, immediately below Airman. The pay grade for Airman Basic is E-1.[1]
As opposed to all other USAF enlisted and officer ranks, Airman Basic has no rank insignia affiliated.[1][2] The lack of uniform insignia for Airmen Basic is the impetus for the nickname "slick-sleeve", in contrast to all other enlisted Air Force ranks which wear their stripes/chevrons on their uniform sleeves.[3]
In accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, the term of address for an Airman Basic is "Airman Basic" or "Airman".[4]
USAF grade history
When the US Air Force was split from the US Army on July 26, 1947, it inherited the Army enlisted ranks; the lowest USAF enlisted rank became "Private" (falling immediately below Private, E-2), which wore no rank insignia.[5]
In March 1952 the Air Council and United States Air Force Chief of Staff adopted a number of changes to the Air Force enlisted rank structure that had been recommended by studies made in 1950 and 1951. On April 24, 1952, Air Force Regulation 39-36 was published, changing the name of the lowest enlisted Air Force rank to "Basic Airman"—whose members still bore no insignia—immediately below the new "Airman Third Class".[5]
On February 5, 1959, the new Air Force regulation governing the titles of enlisted ranks was released; the only change being direction that the title for E-1 was changed from "Basic Airman" to the current "Airman Basic".[5]
Promotion from AB
Under normal circumstances, Airmen Basic are eligible for promotion to Airman (E-2) after six months time-in-grade (TIG). However, individuals enlisting for six years are promoted from AB to Airman First Class (A1C) upon completion of either technical training (or 20 weeks thereof) or the indoctrination course for Combat Controller and Pararescue.
In accordance with AFI 36-2502, Airman Promotion Program, all promotions from AB require the Airman's immediate commander recommend the promotion in writing before they may assume it.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Department of Defense Enlisted Rank Insignias". U.S. Department of Defense Official Website. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ "Air Force Grade and Insignia". Air Force Link. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ Partridge, Eric (2005-12-05). "slick-sleeve". The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English. TF-ROUTL. p. 1779. ISBN 9780415259385. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
a US Army private E-1; a US Air Force airman basic; a police recruit; 'slick' because he has no stripes on his sleeve
{{cite encyclopedia}}
: Unknown parameter|coauthors=
ignored (|author=
suggested) (help) - ^ SMSgt Ronnie L. Murphy (2004-12-01). "Attachment 2". The Enlisted Force Structure (PDF). United States Secretary of the Air Force, United States Air Force. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
This instruction defines the enlisted force structure, establishes enlisted leadership and development levels, specifies responsibilities of each enlisted rank within the structure, establishes official terms of address for Air Force enlisted personnel, describes special SNCO positions, and standardizes duty titles.
- ^ a b c TSgt Spink, Barry L. (1992-02-19). "A Chronology of the Enlisted Rank Chevron of the United States Air Force" (Scribd). Air Force Historical Research Agency: 22. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ SSgt Jeremy Gill (2002-08-06). "paragraph 2.1". Airman Promotion Program (PDF). Colonel D. Vande Hey, HQ Air Force Personnel Center (HQ AFPC/DPP). Retrieved 2008-08-02.
This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive 36-25, Military Promotion and Demotion. Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3 apply to all Air Force (AF) active duty enlisted.