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

Recall what happened in WWII - the Navy directly appointed craftsmen and technicians to whatever rank would entice their skills to join the Seabees. Master equipment operators were appointed EOC, and higher, to fill the needs of the service.

And it is sometimes earned by having a special skill that others don't have. Sometimes it is earned because you convinced someone to enlist with you. That program allowed me to enlist as an E-2! It allows some Soldiers with JROTC to enlist as an E-3, that would be my son. And it also allows Soldiers to enlist as an E-4 simply because they got a degree. How is any of this right but allowing someone with a skill impossible to train to enlist as an E-6? I'll also refer back to the old Stripes for Skills programs that allowed people with certain language skills to enlist as an E-5.

I also know more than one doctor that entered as a COL. Doesn't seem fair does it?

Then you should have gone to college and gotten a degree in music... Masters degree. A doctorate, even.

SGT Curtis Earl - true but I'm more of a underwater basket weaving guy myself lol /s

This 19 year old has a Master's Degree? SGT Curtis Earl

As an AF regional band member, I too had to study and have TIG/TIS like every other AFSC to earn E-6 -- which I did after 10 years TIS, not right out of basic like AF premier band musicians. No envy here, just stating facts. If a 19-year old has the talent to make a premier band, good on her!

Again....she wasn't promoted "too quickly", members of the services' premier bands are ALL inducted at this rank.

If she was in their career field, I would certainly understand that. I will pose a medical example that I experienced. I became a MSC officer and was given the rank of 2Lt. I had experience managing a small dental office. An associate became a MSC around the same time. He was given the rank of Lt Colonel. He had experience running a major metropolitan hospital for 14 years and held a Master's Degree specializing in healthcare administration. The Airman in question has the requisite skill for her job already. In both instances, the Air Force did not spend a bunch of money and time getting these two Airmen up to the required skill level. They came in fully prepared. As a matter of fact, neither of their career fields has CFETP's or skill level testing / training. In both cases, they were given a "pay-grade" that took their skill sets into account and gave them a paycheck. Neither of them should make any of us feel bad about our situations / pay grades / time in uniform. An aircraft mechanic and a stage performer / singer are not in the same AFSC. Apples and oranges. I know that my argument will not sway a person bent on being disagreeable. For those I will say "learn to sing and apply to the Air Force Band", "I hear they have great promotion incentives".

I do understand where you're coming from with that example. However, there's a world of difference between the need for competent and qualified medical personnel and the need for competent and qualified singers/performers. As I stated elsewhere in this forum, the need for native AF bands (as opposed to USO/other organizations performing) is spurious at best. I can see a need for a HAF level band in DC to support the functions there, but we'd be better served, save the AF money, and have more interest in seeing acts supported by non military organizations such as the USO. I've deployed about 8 times in the last 15 years for a total of a little over three years in the AFCENT AOR. I've seen some grudging interest in AF Bands/Tops in Blue, but enthusiastic interest in USO supported groups. Maybe my views are skewed, but I'm coming from a predisposed notion that these bands aren't worth what we put into them. Thanks.

That would be an excellent topic for a different discussion. "Should we support the AF Bands in a climate of cut-backs and working with less?" Maj Osborne, if you start that discussion, I am in agreement with you. Many times, working with less money puts airmen at risk. As a senior leader, it is my job to manage that risk. Another excellent topic would be "In your opinion, where could the military save money?" Frivolous items that add no value to the mission would be tops on my list. My pet peeve is Wing level ceremonies that can and should be held at the Group or Squadron level. I like presenting my airmen with awards and decorations: especially when the presentation is held among their peers. But, I digress. I find that having these discussions brings better clarity to the issues that get under our skin.

Maj Joseph Osborne - I agree with you enthusiastically. If we ARE going to have an AF band, or AF choir- why not draw the talent from within the standing force that can continue to turn wrenches, guard flight lines, or heal the wounded? Band or choir (like in junior high or high school) are extra-curricular activities. We don't need to be recruiting members exclusively for their ability to perform anything but AF duties. If they can sing too- well then, whistle while you WORK your way to Tsgt.