Why are Air Medals worth so much, regarding promotion points?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 00:58:16 -0400

1 deployment to the Middle East for a flyer in the Air Force will equate to roughly 18 pnts of medals, depending on hours flown, that are put towards promotion. 1 deployment to the Middle East for an average Airmen conducting a ground mission averages three to five points towards promotion, depending on what medal they recieve. How is this right?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 11 at 2015 1:07 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 01:07:02 -0400

To me, it makes sense. After all, the primary mission of the Air Force is to fly. So it would make sense that pilots who fly get promoted faster. I would think the same goes for enlisted ground and air crew.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 11 at 2015 1:20 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 01:20:58 -0400

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member, Does it have to do with the amount of danger?

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jun 11 at 2015 8:21 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 08:21:58 -0400

Just so you know, officers don't get promoted on points, so pilots don't care, except on behalf of their enlisted crew members (ie, crew chief, boom operator).
Air Medals became quite tough to get after 1988 when the AF introduced the Aerial Achievement Medal. Combat support sorties no longer add up to Air Medals.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 11:18 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 11:18:43 -0400

According to AFI 36-2803 Table 3-11 "Awarded for" part 4: Not awarded for sustained operational activities and flights. Therefore, gaining 18 points worth of the Air Medal for a simple deployment would not be possible. Instead a single Aerial Achievement Medal should be awarded per Aerial Deployment. That award would only be worth 3 points.