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

Wish I could delete so I can stop getting notifications. This is like a sociology project. Most people don't give in to reason and other view points, so why do I even bother?

I believe that I may be in the best position to address this question, for obvious reasons (see profile pic). The first thing to be aware of, is that there are two "tiers" of band in the US military. There are the Premier bands, the best known of which is the "President's Own" Marine Band in Washington DC. Each DoD service branch has at least one premier band in the DC area, as well as one at each of the three academies. These bands hire the best of the best - they are on a comparable level of professionalism with major symphony orchestras. Because of this, members are enlisted at the rank of E-6. Keep in mind that these are professionals who would typically command 6-figure salaries as civilians. It is important to note that these band members are strictly non-combatants. They do not deploy to combat zones. Ever.

There is also a second tier of bands, variously referred to as field or fleet bands depending on the branch. Those who enlist to serve in these bands do not start at E-6. Each branch handles their musicians a little differently. Fleet Marine musicians enlist at E-2, most Army musicians enlist as E-4 specialists, and with the Navy it varies between E-2 and E-3 depending on the skill and educational background of the sailor. I'm not sure about the Air Force. Once these musicians complete training and start duty in the bands, promotions are typically faster than most other MOS's, but not excessively so (though I suppose that's a matter of opinion). In the Marine Corps and Army, these musicians typically complete all the same routine training requirements as those in other MOS's (though they are definitely still PoGs). Many of them deploy, usually as base security elements for whatever command they report to. Navy and Air Force musicians are strictly non-combatants. Their only job is to make music, and they rarely go anywhere near a combat zone.

Ultimately, love it or hate it, the accelerated (or in the case of the premier bands, instantaneous) promotions for military musicians comes down to supply and demand. To get quality musicians, the services need to offer pay that is at least somewhat competitive, or else not enough people will be interested in the job. And as it stands, pay in the military is 100% associated with rank. If you want to change the system so that a E-1 with special skills can be paid a higher salary than, say, an E-1 in the infantry, so be it. But I guarantee you that doing so will simply open a different can of worms.

I definitely went into the wrong AFSC....

Not familiar with air force, but I went through navy basic training with two guys who were members of the Navy's bluejacket choir and they can in as E-6's/PO1. The military musical groups are basically morale and PR for the forces. They attract talent with the higher initial pay but it's not very easy to make rank in their community.

Nothing new and not unique to the air force. In the army we called it Stripes for Skills. Here's the deal though. She will likely never be promoted. Think of her as a warrant officer. She brings a special skill that most don't have.

The Navy has many "Direct procurement" programs where someone’s rank is determined by numerous factors. We once had a Senior Chief that was a Police Chief of a small town and the Navy needed more senior Master At Arms. Bottom line it is a system, it was followed and good on her for choosing service to country over the debortuary of Hollywood. I actually look forward to hearing that beautiful voice at events over the years to come. Again congratulations to her and her family. I am absolutely sure her dad is the proudest father on the planet today, I know I would be.

Although I am not a fan of ceremonial units and their automatic promotion process, I am okay with it because it does not affect me. I would imagine that if a premier band member were to cross train into the regular Air Force, the member would be demoted and would be treated like a regular member. If it does bother you, then go apply to a premiere band. If you have ever been harassed by a premiere band member on the flight line, in your office, or at a deployed location, you can easily find the member's supervisor and get the problem fixed--these members are held to high standards due to their visibility. I doubt anyone really has any problem with these folks, so leave them to their little world with higher rank and glittery uniforms. It does not affect anyone else and their promotions.

When I went through basic I was in the band flight and knew to in my flight going into the AF Band one got TSgt the other MSgt. It is based on what band they made through tryouts. The way it was explained to me is that most Airman that make those bands likely had some college if not a bachelors in music. It is a tool to entice skilled musicians to enlist to play for the AF Band, because they would likely make that much or more in an equivalent civilian orchestra/band.

If it were an MOS that required front line duty, she wouldn't be ready for that rank, but she is good at what she does in her MOS and that's where promotion comes into play for her I'm sure. The fact that she turned down the opportunity of American Idol to serve says a lot about her character and on that note, I have nothing negative to say at all. I say congratulations and job well done.

I read the AFI and disagree with it. They should not be promoted automatically to E-6 for being in the "AF Premier Band". However, I could see them being promoted to E-4 and perhaps some sort of bonus to keep them. Automatically promoting them like that, to me, degrades the rank. I have seen many Airman who have great talent in their jobs and work just as hard. Yet, they are not automatically promoted like that. I just think that there is a better way of doing it.