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

One of the guys I left for basic with joined the Air Force Reserves as a member of the Air Reserve Band. Part of his enlistment contract gave him MSgt upon completion of "all required courses." He completed basic training in the band flight, went straight to tech school. Upon graduation of Tech School, took a short break, then went straight into ALS then to the NCO academy, then SNCO academy, putting on stripes 1-2 at a time along the way. Within about 6 months after joining he had completed the "required courses" and was awarded MSgt. Best part, he was back paid MSgt pay to date that he graduated basic training.

I am not saying that this is right or wrong, but it does happen. I thought it was odd, but props on the guy for being able to complete all those courses in such a short time frame. I have not spoken to the guy in several years. The last time I did, he was considering going full time active duty, however would be demoted to SSgt if he did; not sure rather he accepted this or not.

The Marine Corps is the same way...not just the Airforce.

I had issues with a E-7 in the band blasting and issuing instructions to my guys. He even talked about his time in Iraq where he was in combat . Im sure he was talking about when he played the Christmas jingles at a holiday party. I think that band should be a colatera duty and not a MOS or Rate.

She is most likely a member of the United States Air Force Band where your starting rank is E-6. All of the Washington Bands (The President's Own - Marine Corps, The Perishing's Own - Army, The Navy Band and Air Force Band) promote their musicians to E-6 once arrived and integrated into the unit. This is in place to attract and enlist the most talented musicians from around the country. Everyone please stop freaking out.

Special circumstances allow enlistment at higher ranks... mainly for certain professionally licensed careers (ie a licensed paramedic enlisting) in order to retain such SMs. Such positions outside of medical and legal are far and few, but it would not be unimaginable a singer who could just as easy get out and make big bucks not be given the same perk to retain. Sadly such positions usually promote slowly with very limited room for promotion. Lets just say such SMs never become command NCOs.

4 months tis and shes an e6?

No. Just no. I think if you rate it you should get it. But after a period. There should be a TIS and TIG requirement to ensure the individual is ready for the responsibility. Ask me if I give a fuck about the band. It's about respect for the rank. Period.

I don't see how it could be possible. But there have been a lot of changes since my U.S. Navy Service 1971-1975 Vietnam Era. I mustered out as a 2nd Class Petty Officer-E-5 and I had passed the E-6 Exams and been accepted but I would have had to reenlisted to sew the First Class Crow. If I remember correctly I became an E-5 after about 2 years and 9 months of my 4 year hitch.

It seems as if the band is in a section of there own and separated from the operational AF. I understand that they will not be in charge of anything other than band related issues with in the AF. So if that is the case why are they deserving of operational AF ranks? Where becoming a TSgt can and will never be obtained in four months. How is right to promote someone to TSgt in four months but have several other deserving airman wait years? These band members should have there own band rank and pay structure like bandee e-1 or bandee e-2 etc... or just give the whole program to a civilian operation and they be wg's or gs's. But then I am in the ANG what do I know?

A lot of your military band members get rank for the pay. Many were talented on their instruments and could make more in civilian life so the military tries to pay competive to get or keep them