Three things key factors in promoting Airmen

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Curtis Cookston
  • 571st Contingency Response Group chief enlisted manager
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As a chief, the most overarching question I get from Airmen is "How do I get promoted?"
While there are many steps that have to happen, outside of the obvious requirements such as time in grade, time in service, performance reports and decorations, I want to focus on three areas that make all the difference.

The first and most important is study, study and study. For some of us it may come easy, but for the majority of us it requires hard work. As I can remember when I missed the mark, my result would have been positive had I just scored better on the test.

The best advice I can give is to start early, develop a schedule, stick to it and before long it will become routine.

As a command, we trail the rest of the Air Force by 2 percent in testing. By aggressively developing a schedule early on, you can do your part to reverse that trend.

The second piece of advice I recommend is to seek out and do more than your peers. I always like to reference "My Enlisted Development Plan." As a staff sergeant seeking promotion, you should complete all recommendations listed as it applies to your area of expertise, training and most importantly, leadership. If you volunteer during your off time, what is your role, are you a member or in charge and leading?

If it's simply membership level, you may want to re-evaluate your role. Take charge and make an impact.

Concerning MyEDP, don't stop when you fulfill the requirements for your current grade. Accomplish those recommended for the next rank. Set yourself up to perform at the next level before you get there. If you wait until after promotion, you're playing catchup regardless of the rank you're trying to attain.

As a technical sergeant, you have the golden opportunity to complete Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy by correspondence before being selected for master sergeant, so take advantage of that.

The final advice I'll give you is complete your Community College of the Air Force degree as soon as you can. I can't stress how important it is to your future whether it's a continued career with the Air Force or another path. I have reviewed no less than 300 award packages in my career (that's a modest number.) One common theme among the winners was an Airman's pursuit of a higher level of education.

This can open up many doors for in the climb to the top and is a vital part of career development. As times change and years progress in today's high tech and extremely competitive environment, it will be much tougher to reach that next grade without some form of higher level education.

Set a goal to complete a Community College of the Air Force degree no later than the six year mark. If you have passed that mark, you have work to do, fast.

As you continue to work hard toward promotion, seek others who are successful at testing and ask them how they prepare. You must continue to challenge your self by leading, not only following others. Don't be afraid to step outside your lane at times to do more than others are doing. A special duty job is an option.

Lastly, use on-line school options as well as examination testing to help you reach your educational goals during this time of high deployment operations tempo. You control your future.