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

Coast Guard is the same way....join the band, automatic E6

Leaders especially NCOS are expecting to possess certain generic skills. Skills that one must master regardless of job. Jr. Enlisted problems are usually similar and leaders should be equipped to address them properly. That being said, regardless of age, time and anything else if this service member has earned it, then I too Congratulate her without bias. If the day should come that her circumstances change and she is required to lead subordinates into adversity I pray that she is not found lacking.

When I went to boot camp in 1999, we had a recruit in our division who was going to be an E-6 upon graduation. He was selected in an audition for the presidential Navy band. I would assume that this is normal for the skill level you need to be selected for such an honor.

Looks like all of the services recruit their special bands and assess them as E-6s. They all serve only in the DC area only in that unit.

It is standard for the Army Band and the Fife and Drum Corp also

I'm not mad at her. Special talent requires special incentive to recruit them. The Navy brings morticians in as E6s, and may even do the same for some musicians. If she were put into a job with an expectation that she would perform as an E6 from a leadership perspective it would be unfair to her and those she was charged to lead, but that won't happen because she is a uniquely talented musician.

Hey Boys & Girls, this is the new evolving ever changing, trans-gender, fully flexible, all accommodating military. This aint your daddy's Army Air Corp. All branches have their own agenda and special incentives to satisfy those needs. Like SGT Barnes said: There is the way things outta be, and then, there is the way things are... Never heard of this lady, but I remember Elvis Presley. With the news of Elvis' forthcoming induction, the Navy and the Air Force offered bids for his services - the Navy offering to create a specially trained ''Elvis Presley Company'' and the Air Force thinking it would be good for him to tour their recruiting centers. Elvis turned down their offers, not wanting any special treatment. Elvis was going to serve like a regular G.I. - PVT- 1.... (Anyway, just noted, this story is from the times.) Credible? Hooah.....

I do not believe this is a new concept for the Air Force Band, rather the normal course of business for them. They are trying to pull from a very small group of qualified individuals who would, in the civilian world, expect this level of compensation for their skill.

We need not to be concerned with how, why or when other service members get promoted. We need to focus on doing what's right and what is required to advance our own careers and that of those who depend on our guidance, training and mentoring. We need to realize that we are Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Warriors all and we have a duty and a commitment. That the task at hand, the mission is more important than the ranks or the compensation or recognition. The military service is not just a job, is a Way of Life.

Is this any different than giving a college graduate OCS and they become an Officer and a leader right out of OCS? I understand peoples thoughts on the NCO thing but I think this discussion would have been moot if she was an Officer Candidate School Grad with a specialty MOS. I think the idea here is they probably wouldn't have gotten her for the group (she would have gone on to American Idol) so they give her the pay grade as an added bonus. Since she is in the group she isn't in charge of anything but morale so I think its considered different than say a Combat arms job where your dealing in lives and not musical notes. Just a thought....