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The table below lists all the standard ranks in the U.S. Air Force and their respective pay grades, insignias, abbreviations, and classifications. Click any rank to view detailed information about that rank's duties, pay, promotions, and more.
- Army
Often called a "five-star general", the rank of General of...
- General of The Air Force
The General of the Air Force is the five-star general rank...
- Navy
There has been no authorization to use the rank since the...
- Colonel
A Colonel is a Field Officer, with a military paygrade of...
- Coast Guard
The table below lists all the standard ranks in the U.S....
- Technical Sergeant
The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly...
- Army
The United States Air Force has twenty two grades of enlisted airmen and officers, with most airmen enlisting at the entry-level rank of Airman Basic (AB, paygrade E-1). The highest rank achievable in the Air Force is General of the Air Force.
Learn about the ranks and insignia of the U.S. military services, including the Air Force. See the paygrades, responsibilities and symbols of enlisted and officer ranks from E-1 to O-10.
- Air Force Ranks: Airman
- Air Force Ranks: Noncommissioned Officer
- Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer
- Chief Master Sergeant of The Air Force
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Airman Basic
Most airmen graduate basic military training with the rank of airman basic (E-1). An airman basic is an apprentice who is acquiring and demonstrating knowledge of military customs, courtesies, traditions and Air Force standards while learning military and technical skills. Under normal conditions, promotions to E-2 are automatic as long as the Air Force's standards for performance and behavior are met. The only requirement for advancement is six months' time in grade (TIG) and time in service...
Airman
The rank of airman brings with it the responsibility of adjusting to the Air Force way of military life and becoming proficient in an Air Force occupational specialty. Upon leaving basic training, all airmen enter training at Air Force schools in their specialties ("jobs"), depending on their aptitudes and interests, and the needs of the Air Force.
Airman First Class
Airmen first class are considered to be fully adjusted to Air Force and military life, and their duties focus on carrying out their assignments efficiently and effectively while honing their job skills. Airmen first class are assigned an increasing level of responsibility. An Airman first class is expected to comply with Air Force standards and serve as a role model for subordinates. In addition, they are expected to start mastering their job and leadership skills. Moving up the Air Force Ran...
Air Force enlisted members E-5 and E-6 are referred to as NCOs. Air Force NCOs are expected to exemplify personal integrity, loyalty, leadership, dedication and devotion to duty, including upholding Air Force policies, traditions and standards. Air Force NCOs and Senior NCOs are promoted based on the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS). Airmen ...
Air Force enlisted members E-7 and above are referred to as SNCOs. Air Force SNCOs are expected to set the highest standards of personal integrity, loyalty, leadership, dedication and devotion to duty, including upholding Air Force policies, traditions and standards. Like the NCO ranks, Senior NCOs are rated by their "skill levels." The following i...
The chief master sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) is a unique noncommissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and post represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force and provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those i...
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Learn about the three levels of enlisted ranks in the Air Force: airmen, noncommissioned officers and senior noncommissioned officers. Find out the requirements, responsibilities and promotion criteria for each rank, from E-1 to E-9.
Dec 20, 2023 · Within the Air Force, officer ranks follow a clear-cut structure, divided into three categories: company grade, field grade, and general officers. Company grade officers range from O-1 to...
Although the United States Air Force came into being as an independent uniformed service with the National Security Act of 1947, it retained the United States Army Air Forces rank structure and corresponding insignia of years past. This rank structure provided for seven enlisted ranks: private, private first class, corporal/technician fifth ...
People also ask
What ranks are in the Air Force?
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How did the Air Force differentiate the two ranks?
General of the Air Force. Like the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps, the Air Force categorizes enlisted personnel as E grades. From lowest to highest ranks, E grades are structured as Airman Basic (E-1), Airman (E-2), Airman First Class (E-3), Senior Airman (E-4), Staff Sergeant (E-5), Technical Sergeant (E-6), Master Sergeant (E-7), Senior Master ...