USAF Force distribution: Does it seem too "hard" or "harsh"?

I think it is a little different depending on where you work. As an OSS guy we work with a bunch of different AFSCs, and the fact that I am in Weather, not all of the 5s for OSSes will be going to Weather, but will be spread around. I think it will actually allow folks without 4/5s on their EPR to get promoted, especially if the rate of promotion is near or above 20% (certainly SSgts and on a rare occasion TSgts). I am really excited and maybe it is because I have less than 7 years of service, but I hope that this is a game changer and we get the cream of the crop being promoted.

Having a top 20% seems right to me...its a widely accepted industry standard to identify your top performers.

I'm guessing there will likely be a heavy weighting towards education and PT scores given that those are objective factors. So apart from working hard and volunteering, I think airman should make sure they have their CCAF degree, are signed up for additional classes and are working out to get that 90+ PY score.

I think it is a step in the right direction. Obviously the Force wants to promote the best first, hence the 5%, & I think those individuals deserve it. I also don't think it is the last change, just the first step, which is always the most painful.

It will seem very difficult at first and many people will say it is unfair but the fact is the Air Force will still promote the same number of people. All this does is give the CC and other senior leaders more say on who they feel are ready for the promotion. Once again, the same number of people will be promoted regardless of the change. Do we really want the status quo or are we ready and willing to make the not so hard choices. It seems a lot like when TA was taken away for a few months. Everyone and their brother was complaining even though many of the ones that were leading the way complaining about TA never used it.

I hated the old system. I hated that if you rated your guy fairly and they truly were only "Above Average" then the next guy would give his guy that was average at best a Firewall 5 because that way he could just copy and paste the bullets. I hated knowing that the other TSgt in my shop that showed up and hung out when I was working my but off still got his 5 because much of what I did was also put on his EPR because "it was a shop achievement".

I am terrified of the GOB system and it will happen at times but with CCs and senior leaders picking the top guys it will not be as easy to have a GOB system as what you think. Plus I would rather compete with the few cases of high marks because of the GOB system then see another year where everyone is a 5. The last system helped the average and below average and hurt the best of the Air Force. I have seen so many people get promoted because they came to work and studied and that is all they did. It is nice to know that hard work may actually pay off...at least for a few years until we find a way to mess this system up too.

It doesn't seen to "hard" or "harsh" but since you can't eliminate the good ole boy club, you're screwing good people still. I think the whole person concept is what should be focused on, remember we are Airmen first, then our AFSCs. Not to take anything away from duty performance, but if you have an NCO that is great at his/her job and sucks as a supervisor, why should that person ever be NCOIC and over people. I think a (blind) subordinate ranking should be added, not for point purposes, but to give a note to the boards too. Just a thought!!!

It is pretty stupid to me, SMSgt Jacob Peeterse. I am a tech school instructor in a small detachment out of Tinker AFB. We are all in special duty slots and are supposed to be the "best of the best" teaching new Airmen. Now you're telling our supervision that they have to stratify all of us that have had great careers so far against each other, regardless of career field. I don't expect to get a high mark because I'm fairly new, but I almost guarantee that I would receive that same mark if I was back on the flightline. The other thing I'm tired of hearing is the Chiefs and Senior Master Sergeants(no offense) stating the the EPR system needs fixed, all while knowing that's exactly how the made their rank.

As long as promotion rates are above 20%, then many "average" airmen will have promotion opportunities. Difficult part will be holding to standards over time; witness demise of officer "1-2-3" system in 1990s. The system died because senior leaders wouldn't live with the quotas for 1 and 2.

Hmmm...
I'm sensing this policy is borne the dubious and inconsistent stratification system we were working with for SNCO promotions (and officers BTW) ca. 2010.

Its a good change if specific rules regarding how folks will be stratified are codified in the AFI.

I recall strats reading, "My #2 of 75 SNCOs" or "My best MSgt," or even "My #3 instructor FE." This was further complicated by rater level. Senior rater endorser or regular Joe? It mattered (a lot for SNCOs) regardless of strat.

If this mess isn't straightened out and it's pushed down to the E-4 level??? Lol!! God help you all.

Btw, do you have a link to the article?

Great thread!