THE ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE

THE ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE

CMSAF PERSPECTIVE

  • Wearing the uniform of the United States Air Force signifies a commitment beyond a job; it reflects:
    • A deep commitment to the nation
    • Shared purpose among Airmen
    • Honor and legacy of those who served before us
    • Core values guiding each Airman
  • Core Values:
    • Integrity
    • Service
    • Excellence
  • The enlisted force structure:
    • Implements core values
    • Establishes expectations and responsibilities for all enlisted Airmen
  • Each Airman must:
    • Understand and accept these obligations
    • Execute responsibilities with commitment
  • Acknowledgment that they honor the history and legacy of their service and are prepared to deliver airpower decisively, anytime, anywhere.
  • Speaker: David A. Flosi, 20th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

PURPOSE

  • The United States Air Force's strength lies in its enlisted personnel’s character and commitment.
  • This instruction:
    • Defines how enlisted ranks are organized
    • Details expectations, responsibilities, and guiding principles for Airmen
  • The purpose is to ensure:
    • Formation of a skilled, disciplined, and combat-ready force
    • Development of leadership at all levels
  • Components creating an effective Airman:
    • Education
    • Operational experience
    • Continuous self-improvement
    • Foundational competencies
    • Specialty-specific knowledge
    • Airman Leadership Qualities
  • This guide supersedes Air Force Handbook 36-2618 from May 2022.

THE ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE - Table of Contents

Chapter Structure:

  • Chapter 1: The Enlisted Profession of Arms Overview
    • A Profession of Arms: Our Core Values
    • The Airman’s Creed
    • The Enlisted Airman: Wingman, Leader, Warrior
    • Readiness
    • Ownership
  • Chapter 2: Leadership Foundation Force Structure
    • Leadership Levels
    • Rank and Authority
    • Airman Leadership Qualities
    • General Positional Responsibilities
    • Developmental Duties
  • Chapter 3: Junior Enlisted Tier
    • General Responsibilities
    • Rank Specific Responsibilities
  • Chapter 4: Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Tier
    • General NCO Responsibilities
    • Rank Specific Responsibilities
    • NCO Charge
    • NCO Authorities
  • Chapter 5: Senior Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO) Tier
    • General SNCO Responsibilities
    • Rank-Specific Responsibilities
    • SNCO Charge
  • Conclusion
  • Terms of Address by Rank
  • References

OVERVIEW

  • This handbook defines the enlisted force and identifies:
    • Purpose
    • Standards
    • Expectations for enlisted Airmen
  • Airmen must embody a warrior ethos:
    • Professional and combat-ready attitude
    • Resilience and commitment to excellence
  • The mission requires:
    • Disciplined, physically fit, and mentally strong Airmen ready to face challenges
  • The role encapsulates a shared warfighting identity.

A PROFESSION OF ARMS

  • Definition:
    • Members called to defend against all threats
    • Warfighting as central focus
  • The mindset:
    • Build confidence and commitment for team success
    • Maintain public trust through high ethical standards
    • Awareness of the Air Force mission: "Fly, Fight, Win."

THE OATH OF ENLISTMENT

  • The Oath states:
    • Supporting and defending the Constitution
    • Allegiance to the same
    • Obeying orders of the President and appointed officers
  • Optional religious affirmation at the end.

OUR CORE VALUES

  • Core Values define service and are:
    • Integrity First
    • Service Before Self
    • Excellence in All We Do
  • Responsibilities outlined to ensure mission readiness and adaptability.
  • The instruction pairs with Air Force Doctrine to define Airmen first and specialists second.

Chapter 1 – THE ENLISTED PROFESSION OF ARMS

Victory Favors the Prepared!

  • Noted by CMSAF David A. Flosi
  • The profession demands:
    • More than just skill
    • Discipline, trust, and camaraderie.

AIRMAN’S CREED

  • The Airman’s Creed is:
    • A promise to the country and fellow Airmen
    • Symbolizes trust and commitment
  • The creed reads:
    • "I AM AN AMERICAN AIRMAN."
    • Describes roles and responsibilities as:
    • A warrior answering the nation's call
    • Guardian of freedom and justice
    • Wingman, leader, warrior
    • Commitment to never leave an Airman behind
  • Featured quote by Sgt. John L. Levitow, Medal of Honor recipient.

PROFESSIONAL COURAGE

  • Required for Air Force members:
    • Moral and physical courage is essential
    • Accountability and decision-making under uncertainty.
    • Candid expression of military advice is crucial.

THE ENLISTED AIRMAN

  • All U.S. Air Force members are called "Airmen" regardless of rank.
  • Responsibilities include:
    • Hands-on work and leadership
    • Daily operations execution and mission success.

WINGMAN

  • Upholding the legacy of trust and camaraderie:
    • Ensures no Airman stands alone
    • Selflessness and team focus emphasized.

LEADER

  • Responsibilities include:
    • Tactical and strategic decision-making
    • Guiding Airmen through mentorship and training
  • Leaders must:
    • Exhibit knowledge of military tactics
    • Foster teamwork and accountability
    • Be effective followers and communicators.

WARRIOR

  • Readiness to defend with commitment and courage:
    • Importance of applying followership and expertise to mission command principles.
    • Tasks involve high-pressure decision-making.

READINESS

  • Multi-faceted development necessary for:
    • Execution when called upon
  • Key areas include:
    • Technical Readiness: Continuous development through training and education.
    • Physical Readiness: Adherence to fitness standards and nutrition advice.
    • Mental Readiness: Building resilience and adaptability skills.
    • Family Readiness: Ensuring families are prepared for military scenarios.
    • Personal Financial Readiness: Understanding and managing personal finances.

OWNERSHIP

  • Acknowledgment of commitment as an Airman is vital.
  • Continuous acknowledgment and review are necessary through annual documentation.

FORCE STRUCTURE

  • Structured into three tiers:
    • Junior Enlisted Tier:
    • Airman Basic (E-1), Airman (E-2), Airman First Class (E-3), Senior Airman (E-4).
    • NCO Tier:
    • Staff Sergeant (E-5), Technical Sergeant (E-6).
    • SNCO Tier:
    • Master Sergeant (E-7), Senior Master Sergeant (E-8), Chief Master Sergeant (E-9).

LEADERSHIP LEVELS

  • Corresponding tiers align with leadership and responsibility levels:
    • Tactical Level:
    • Understanding of team leadership.
    • Operational Level:
    • Broader integration of diverse capabilities.
    • Strategic Level:
    • Advanced understanding of organizational capabilities.

RANK AND AUTHORITY

  • Authority defined by rank structure:
    • NCOs take responsibility over junior enlisted and fellow NCOs based on rank and service dates.
    • Lawful orders can stem from both rank and appointed authority.

AIRMAN LEADERSHIP QUALITIES (ALQs)

  • Derived from foundational competencies:
    1. Executing the Mission
    2. Initiative
    3. Adaptability
    4. Leading People
    5. Teamwork
    6. Emotional Intelligence
    7. Communication
    8. Managing Resources
    9. Stewardship
    10. Accountability
    11. Decision Making
    12. Innovation

GENERAL POSITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Duty titles and responsibilities vary:
    • Supervisor
    • NCOIC (Noncommissioned Officer in Charge)
    • Section Chief
    • Flight Chief
    • Manager
    • Superintendent
    • Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL)
    • Chief
    • Career Field Manager (CFM)
    • Command Chief
    • Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF)

DEVELOPMENTAL DUTIES

  • Key opportunities for personal and professional growth:
    • First Sergeant
    • Recruiter
    • Military Training Instructor (MTI)
    • Military Training Leader (MTL)
    • Academy Military Training (AMT) Noncommissioned Officer
    • AFROTC Training Instructor
    • Technical Training Instructor
    • Professional Military Education (PME) Instructor
    • Development Advisor (DA)
    • Military & Family Readiness Center NCO (M&FRC)
    • Airmen Dormitory Leader (ADL)

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Junior Enlisted Member, You:

  • Adhere to evolving Air Force requirements.
  • Exemplify followership and develop as a leader.
  • Maintain high levels of readiness in all aspects.
  • Treat all service members with dignity.

RANK SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Airman Basic:
    • Learning military standards and customs with supervision.
  • Airman:
    • Demonstrating military standards and becoming mission-ready.
  • Airman First Class:
    • Increasing mission-ready skills and following orders.
  • Senior Airman:
    • Developing leadership skills and assisting other Airmen.

GENERAL NCO RESPONSIBILITIES

As an NCO, You:

  • Lead by example and set expectations for others.
  • Develop strategic and operational expertise.
  • Understand commander’s objectives and fit into the overall construct.

RANK SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR NCOs

  • Staff Sergeant:
    • Supervise and mentor subordinates.
  • Technical Sergeant:
    • Execute mission requirements; develop junior NCOs and enlisted personnel.
  • NCO Charge:
    • Responsible for the structural integrity of Air force.

GENERAL SNCO RESPONSIBILITIES

As an SNCO:

  • Transform into a leader of leaders.
  • Maintain high readiness standards and enforce discipline.
  • Be an advisor to commanders for mission success.

RANK SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SNCOs

  • Master Sergeant:
    • Oversee mission execution and personnel development.
  • Senior Master Sergeant:
    • Provide strategic oversight, lead larger teams.
  • Chief Master Sergeant:
    • High-level leadership and advisement duties.

CONCLUSION

  • The enlisted force is vital to mission requirements and embodies the strength of Airpower—Anytime, Anywhere.

TERMS OF ADDRESS BY RANK

  • Rank and Address List:
    • E-1: Airman Basic (Amn)
    • E-2: Airman
    • E-3: Airman First Class (A1C)
    • E-4: Senior Airman (SrA)
    • E-5: Staff Sergeant (SSgt)
    • E-6: Technical Sergeant (TSgt)
    • E-7: Master Sergeant (MSgt)
    • E-8: Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt)
    • E-9: Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt)
    • CMSAF: Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

REFERENCES

  • List of References:
    • Air Force Doctrine Publication 1-1 (10 March 2021)
    • Air Force Pamphlet 36-2692 (7 March 2024)
    • Air Force Policy Directive 1 (16 October 2019)
    • Air Force Instruction 1-1 (18 August 2023)

OUR MISSION

  • FLY, FIGHT, & WIN… AIRPOWER ANYTIME, ANYWHERE