Promotion to E-8 to require resident SNCOA

  • Published
  • By Daniel Elkins
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office
Completion of the resident Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy or a sister service equivalent becomes a requirement for promotion to senior master sergeant effective Jan. 1, Air Force officials announced today as part of a policy change.

The change in the professional military education requirement will supersede the current policy that requires Air Force SNCOA completion for promotion to chief master sergeant.

"The goal is to provide enlisted PME at correctly targeted career points," Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy said. "By providing PME earlier and more evenly spaced over an enlisted Airman's career, we ensure enlisted leaders have the tools they need to be successful sooner and at more relevant periods of their career."

The idea for the policy change originated from the 2008 Enlisted Professional Military Education Triennial Review that examined enlisted PME attendance across an Airman's career. A proposal from the review called for earlier attendance to produce more capable NCOs.

By requiring SNCOA completion for promotion to senior master sergeant, master sergeants will acquire increased knowledge and leadership skills as they sew on their next stripe and take on increasing roles of responsibility, according to Chief Master Sgt. Mark Long, the Air Force's enlisted promotions, evaluations and physical fitness chief. He said this policy change will also align the Air Force with its sister services enlisted PME requirements, reduce the time span between NCO academy and SNCOA attendance by approximately two years, and increase the return on the investment for attending advanced PME.

Airmen selected for promotion to senior master sergeant but unable to attend or complete resident SNCOA before their line number increment will require a promotion waiver for PME attendance. The Air Force Personnel Center Enlisted Promotion and Military Testing Branch will provide a list of E-8 selects to base military personnel sections so they can notify commanders that a waiver may be necessary.

Airmen with approved waivers must attend the SNCOA within 179 days of their effective promotion date. Those with approved waivers who are unable to attend due to deployment must complete their PME within 90 days of their return.

Chief Long clarified that master sergeants who are time-in-grade eligible are still required to complete the SNCOA either by correspondence or in residence to be eligible for senior rater endorsement.

Master sergeants without a line number for promotion will continue to have the opportunity to attend the academy in residence using existing selection criteria.

"This change in policy supports a key goal by Air Force leadership to develop our Airmen," said Chief Long. "Better preparing our senior NCOs in these challenging times underscores the importance of properly caring for the primary weapon in the Air Force arsenal - our Airmen."