Is it possible to get promoted this quickly in the Air Force? Is this typical for band members?

I see many a comment about how her rank doesn't matter because she is a band member and not "really" in the military. BULLSHIT!!! She is in the Air Force and not in Hollywood. If she wants that then she should go try out for Americas Got Talent or a similar show. There are rules about minimum time in grade and service that we all had to follow. She may be talented as a singer but that does not translate to the military. The Air Forces job is to shoot bad guys out of the sky and drop bombs on people and kill them. The Air Force does not exist to sing happy songs and hold hands and sing Spongebob songs. Let's not lose focus on the mission.

I have seen some pretty wicked answers both pro and con and can only say this.... Let me get my PopCorn !!!! Salt and butter anyone???

My question is why did she promote to e-6 so quickly? As far as people being upset over this, I fully agree. It seems wrong for someone to gain rank, pay, and responsibilities so quickly. 4 months TIS? Really? Half of that was in basic training! This just seems wrong and unfair to people who have worked WAY harder to get to the rank they have.

Miltary musicians are a very high calling. Though You can be a military service bandmen starting as an E1 to E3, if You pass an audition to get in the elite band they start the rank at E6. But it is extremely difficult to get accepted in the elite band. I know the Airforce Band service band expect you to have a Bachelors Degree or perform as well as a bachelor's degree in music holding musician to join in as a regular enlisted (E1-E3), And if you make it in the Elite band you're performing at a Master's Degree Level or Better. Now though she seems young she is a prodigy and I wouldn't doubt that she has been studying music since she was in preschool.. Thats about 15 years of music experience. She is a rock star. The Military musicians do not let you join the service as an officer. Musician officers have to enlist and perform at a certain level before they goto officer training. Airforce may be different. I started in 5th grade, and passed an audition to be in the Navy Band after I had completed High school and two years of music in college. Quite a few members at my school had MASTERS and bachelor degrees in music. and they were started at E3. Part of the reason they offer the e6 is to entice talented musicians to join (for lower pay) than they could make as a civilian. She will probably do her 4 years and go sign a record deal. Ask Taylor Swift if she would have rather accepted 4 years at E6 pay or a multimillion dollar recording contract..

I don't think anyone in a band needs to have a rank about E4 or E5. all they do is play stupid music. They don't go into harms way, don't lead soldiers, etc. Get rid of them and keep more combat soldiers

i would not think so

Do away with the AF band and expand Tops In Blue

Typo. Need 5or 6 Years

I'm not sure how many people will have to test against her in her career field - but I'm pretty sure I never will have to compete for a stripe against her. It's good PR for the front person of the band to wear the stripes. That's all. I don't care if she earned her stripes or not, because I know I did.

Shouldn't the incintive come from bonus pay, not rapid promotions? She hasn't been in long enough to be groomed for the responsibility associated with that rank.