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

Doctors enter the Air Force as Captains, although I have known older physicians with critical specialties entering at even higher ranks.

They are being paid for their technical skill and knowledge - not their military abilities. I would imagine that this applies for musicians as well.

In a non-band/non-talent position, I entered the Army as an E-1 and put on my E-5 in 23 months. That is the fastest I have ever heard of making NCO outside the "entertainment" skill sets.

I have seen a couple of times Soldiers join the Army and attend basic as a E-4 and then commission after graduation. So E-4 to O-1 in 3 months.

I can't say I agree with such a rapid promotion of a performer. But at the same time I certainly appreciate what they do...

Band members run the full gamut of enlisted tanks. They do in fact have different entry authorization based on their skill set and experience. One who majored in music and went on to orchestration or the like at a higher degree (Masters, PHD) would enter service at a higher grade because of the direct and immediate impact they would have on the band itself.

Having said all that I do not know the exact breakdown that correlates degree, experience to entry grade and bonus.

Yeah, that's normal. Ranks on band uniforms are just decoration. There's no expectation that they be militarily proficient in any way.

Depends on her instrument and level of experience.

I haven't heard of it. In the Air Force the TIS for making E-6 is about 10 years. The Air Force has the slowest promotion rate because it has the highest retention rate.

Isn't life amazing. "Stay close to your desk and never go to sea, soon you'll be an Admiral in the Queens Navy"

I went in as a Army Bandsman after a college level audition. The program was called 'Stripes for Skills' and included many MOSs. That program, plus my musicianship got me E-3 upon enlisting with a guaranteed E-5 after one year TIS. It came true. I had to pass that tough audition, though. And I was 17, a newly graduated senior in high school.

Well as a Marine Staff Sergeant I grew in the Marines to lead and expected to lead and take care of the troops. If they want to be band members instead of military service members then go to Hollywood. I just can't see troops just doing "band" an noting else. Even the Marine band members had to shoot, train, and deploy not only as musicians, but as Marines. Did she promote fast because she is such a great singer at her "band" MOS???? Enough said, sorry.