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

When I served in the Air Force we all had to test for every rank promotion above SRA

I am a retired premier bandsman from the USAF. You all speak about these exceptional personnel like they are any grunt off the street. They are truly the best of the best.
When you went in to the military, you knew very little. You strived and worked and in 8-10-12 years were fairly proficient at what you did.
The people who are accepted to the band have spent the previous 8-10-12 years of their lives becoming proficient in their jobs. They are already fully qualified, have passed a very difficult audition process (there were 13 people auditioning for my position when I was accepted). They are some of the best performing artist in America. They are truly the best of the best.
These are not ordinary airmen, they are extraordinary and you see that every time they perform.
Now you have a group of the best performing artist in the world. But they are still an Air Force squadron. In a squadron, you have first sergeant, administrative, personnel, supply, logistic, schedulers, repair personnel, computer and network technicians, budget, and an entire slew of support personnel. In the band, you have bandsmen.. Yet, the band squadron still requires all of the support that any other squadron requires (try moving a squadron of 120 personnel and equipment across the world (every day) and see how much it requires). But in addition to their grueling rehearsal and performance schedules, all of these functions are performed by bandsmen. If you take away their performances, these Airmen still have full time positions in the Air Force. They aren't doing less, they are doing more.
And lets not even talk about how their performance schedule takes them away from their homes and families. A lot of troops will complain about being deployed away from their families for too many days. This is ordinary for a bandsman. They do a lot a lot of TDY away from their homes and family.
So back to the ordinary Airman. Over the years they train, they learn, they become more proficient in their skills, and they get promoted as their skill allows. These bandsmen are already fully proficient in their skills and are thrust in a positon where they have to perform to the top of their ability from day 1. Shouldn't they be promoted to a position equivalent to their skill?
And yes, promotion to E-6 sound great. A large majority of these bandsmen hold advance degrees and would be eligible for commissioning programs. They elect to stay enlisted to be bandsmen. With the exception of the commander, there are no commissioned officers in the band.
And although they may be promoted to E-6, and most of them will be lucky enough to make E-7, there are very few opportunities to make E-8 and only a few will ever make E-9. But that's fine, they get to favorably represent the Air Force to millions of people every year. How many people have you made a favorable impression today?
So all you haters, quit hating. If you think you've got what it takes and are talented enough to be the best, then call and set an audition. The band is always looking for the best of the best.

We all loved the Army Band when I was in. All dressed up the their Army Blues. Most started out as Spec-4 then 5..6, which most go to, then..7, finally as a E8 band conductor. Well none of them knew how to put on there MOPP gear and I saw one of them a E6 put her mask on backwards. OH well the cooks didn't do much better, but at least they where in the field with us, the band was not.

She must have worn out her knee pads.

Has to be a typo.

I don't know if this girl is 19 or not but the truth is that most of the premier band members have a BA in music before getting selected for the spot. They reside at Bolling AFB there entire carrer. I was in the AF Honor Guard and spent a lot of time with these guys. There not coming in right out of high school and getting into the premier band. This person, if it's true, is the exception.

All AF Band members, after graduation from BMT are automatically given TSgt.

Yes.. You pass an audition and get selected for an "elite" band you pin on E-6 upon graduation from AIT.. E-4.or 5 is generally the norm- but you won't find any in Petshings Own- or the Old Guard..

You can also join as an Enlisted Club manager (degreed or experienced) and also pin on E-6... Laundry and Bath Specialist, Dental Assistant.. and many more. Prove you have experience you gtaduate AIT as an E-4 or 5

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.