Since I'm on a 4 year contract, would it be possible to make Staff Sergeant within that time frame?

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 21:41:51 -0500

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2018 10:08 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 22:08:53 -0500

Unfortunately I am only Active and just a high school grad. But i do appreciate the honest response

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Mar 2 at 2018 11:13 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 23:13:53 -0500

Don't hold your breath. Highly unlikely given the TIG/TIS requirements but not impossible. If you are an across the board 9 on APRs (That's old school performance reports) and given they have what we use to call spot promotions, you might snatch that one out of your back side. Realistically, you are looking at E-4 at 4 years. In the best of all possible scenarios, E-4 by 3 years, E-5 at 5 and E-6 at 7-9 years. As SSgt Addison R noted, Guard and Reserve are different animals completely. Back in the early 90s I met a Reservist pulling active duty time. She made E-9 in 14 years. Good luck to you, young Airman!

Response by SSgt John Lester made Mar 2 at 2018 11:40 PM

SSgt John Lester — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 23:40:37 -0500

Made SSgt. in 2 3/4 years (more or less).

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 3 at 2018 3:54 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 03:54:13 -0500

I won't say it is impossible, but highly unlikey

Response by SSgt Bob Mobbs made Mar 3 at 2018 8:31 PM

SSgt Bob Mobbs — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 20:31:39 -0500

I don't know about how it's determined these days. When I was in (71-77) it took me 4 1/2 years but I did work with a Staff who made it first try with only 3 yrs 4 mos TIS.

Response by SSgt Robert Simins made Mar 3 at 2018 8:32 PM

SSgt Robert Simins — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 20:32:30 -0500

I made Ssgt in my first four year hitch. 1974. I was told at the time that only 3000 made it that year in their first enlistment. Of course four months later the AF was giving bonuses to get the heck out as Vietnam was done. So I got out and joined the Army Reserve Guard and served another twenty years. Would have gone in the Air Guard but way too far to drive to the nearest unit. Still miss the Air Force.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Mar 3 at 2018 8:51 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 20:51:19 -0500

With WLC (PLDC) and ALC (BNCOC) under my belt, both before making SGT, I was at 7 1/2 years TIS. Promotions were just slow at the time. If you make your (P) before your first enlistment is up, you're doing great, I did. I was a SPC(P) my whole second enlistment.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2018 9:06 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 21:06:11 -0500

I did, gotta get BTZ though

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 4 at 2018 7:53 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 07:53:17 -0500

Possible, yes. Likely, no.

As others have said TIS/TIG requirements will put a hamper on you. Had you joined as E-2/E3 OR get "advanced promotions" (faster than usual for whatever reason), it becomes more possible. Focus on being the best you can at the lower grades for that opportunity.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 9:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 09:50:27 -0500

Possible, yes. Likely, no.

Response by SSgt Jeanne Wallace made Mar 4 at 2018 3:30 PM

SSgt Jeanne Wallace — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 15:30:41 -0500

possible yes, likely?? good question ..get your CDCs done as fast as the time table allows and dont for get the PME ( or what ever they are calling the fat book with all the AF history and Customes and Courtesies in it) get all the sign offs on your training records as quickly as you can learn it..always keep the training records in mind when ever some thing new comes up to do in the work center/shop...let your trainer know you are wanting any new training that may come up in the course of a day..any time some thing unusual comes up ( weird forms, strange equipment fails) be in on the fix the more hands-on the better..keep uniform sharp and boots crazy shiney ( if you have to have a spare set to change into if a uniform emergency happens..hydraulic fluid comes to mind) some people may laugh..but you want your name to be the first thought of when somebody screws up and cant do below-the-zone or Airman of the Quarter ..and you will have a spare uniform at the ready...If you are a maintainer keep those blues up and ready to go ....I know it doesnt sound like you'll have much of a social life....but if you keep your eye on that stripe it can , with a little luck and preparation, be done. Good luck, and clear skies

Response by SSgt Shawn Springsteen made Mar 4 at 2018 9:12 PM

SSgt Shawn Springsteen — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 21:12:31 -0500

Airman Loomis, ANYTHING is possible my friend! I was able to make E-5 in less than 3 years during my first 4years. The best advice I can provide you is that which was provided to me by some amazing men/women...

1-Focus on what you can control; your commitment to your training, your commitment to your job, and your commitment to your mission.
2-Pursue consistency not perfection; consistency in and out of uniform, consistency on and off base, and consistency in your conduct.
3-Embrace the intention behind the AF core values; don’t just recite them... LIVE THEM

4-And this is the most important, your ATTITUDE is everything. If A=1 and B=2 and so on, ATTITUDE adds up to 100. GIVE 100% everyday without expectation of anything and GREAT things will follow!!!

Thank You for your commitment to serve ... you have NO LIMITS!

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 4 at 2018 11:08 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 23:08:14 -0500

Its possible - but not likely. Its very rare to make SSG in less than 5 years.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2018 3:06 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 03:06:46 -0500

Possibly if you aren't a fuck up and get selected for BTZ. Have a good EPR and study for your test.

Response by CH (CPT)(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2018 5:33 AM

CH (CPT)(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 05:33:33 -0500

Most likely not. Worry about being the best whatever rank you are now. If you are the best Soldier in the company, you will be taken care of and promotion will come.

Response by Sgt Werner Cottrill made Mar 6 at 2018 4:03 PM

Sgt Werner Cottrill — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 16:03:23 -0500

I was on the promotion list for staff sgt. at the end of my four years, but would have to re-enlist to sew it on. Don't know how it is today.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2018 11:55 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 23:55:37 -0500

Read through some of 36-2502 and 36-2406. As an AB, I am not sure if the TIG/TIS requirements will become a roadblock.

I enlisted in 2014 on a six-year contract that established my Date of Rank as an A1C on the day that I went to basic training. I made BTZ and missed WAPS testing in 2016 by 28 days. When I tested for Staff I had almost a full year TIG as an SrA. I made it during the 17E5 cycle and was line number 8027 (right in the middle). I just sewed on this month (March 2018), and I will hit my 4 year TIS mark in April 2018.

In my circumstance, it was possible. Like I said, familiarize yourself with those two AFI's and you can calculate the time.

Response by SSgt Emilio Valadez made Mar 8 at 2018 11:37 PM

SSgt Emilio Valadez — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 23:37:16 -0500

Sure can if you go below the zone and test for Staff, I did it under 4 in 1982

Response by SSgt Chris Loomis made Mar 11 at 2018 3:52 PM

SSgt Chris Loomis — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:52:55 -0400

You got some great advice here. I challenge you to do better than I did

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 17 at 2018 11:19 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 23:19:37 -0400

Its possible.

Response by SSgt Adam Borton made Apr 5 at 2018 6:21 PM

SSgt Adam Borton — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:21:12 -0400

Yes. Depending on the time to enlisted during the year it is possible to be a SSgt in 3.5 years, but you have to have 6 months retain-ability after completion of ALS. Now you can get a 6 month waver after completion of ALS to meet the requirement or you can reenlist.

Response by SSgt Kirby Faircloth made Apr 30 at 2018 9:18 PM

SSgt Kirby Faircloth — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 21:18:23 -0400

I did in three. Depends on your AFC. Need and availability

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2018 7:56 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 May 2018 19:56:08 -0400

yes, I came in with a guy that made staff in 2.5 years. He had prior college, so he had a1c on since day 1. He then made btz which put him in a fast testing cycle and made it first time.

Response by SSgt Hal Kiah made Jun 4 at 2018 11:55 PM

SSgt Hal Kiah — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 23:55:58 -0400

Many have. Study your air force history and your AFSC and study hard. Knowing your Air Force history is quite critical. Best of luck

Response by SSgt Jeffrey Fatheree made Jun 15 at 2018 3:58 PM

SSgt Jeffrey Fatheree — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:58:12 -0400

Yes

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jun 15 at 2018 5:32 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 17:32:34 -0400

Hell I know a guy that made SSgt every 4 years for his entire 24.

Response by SSgt Mike Watson made Jul 5 at 2018 3:04 PM

SSgt Mike Watson — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 15:04:45 -0400

Yes, not easy but it can be done. Make SrA below the zone . Make Staff 1st time testing. Need all 9 APRs. Study for the WAPS testing.

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Jul 5 at 2018 3:18 PM

SSgt Holden M. — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 15:18:54 -0400

Just like all the responses it isn't impossible but it is tough. Since it looks like you will be a hard charger already my biggest piece of advice is to learn, and stay humble. Learn what to do from the good leaders and what not to do from the bad.

Response by SSgt Steve Barnett made Aug 27 at 2019 1:57 PM

SSgt Steve Barnett — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 13:57:58 -0400

I did, but that was back in 1973 and Vietnam time. That is when you had to test in your career field for promotion. I don't know the requirements now.