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Air Force Airman First ClassE-3 Enlisted Airman, U.S. Air Force |
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Air Force Ranks » Airman First Class Rank • A1C Pay • A1C Rank History • Promotion Information
E-3 Airman First Class -
Enlisted Airman -
U.S. Air Force Ranks
Airman First Class Air Force Military Ranks
| Class | Enlisted Airman |
| Abbr. | A1C |
| Title | Airman (last name) |
| Paygrade |
E-3 (DoD Paygrade) OR-3 (NATO Code) |
| Basic Pay | $2,378/mo |
Airman First Class (A1C) is the third enlisted rank in the US Air Force. Airman First Class is the rank just above Airman (E-2), and below Senior Airman. An Airman is typically promoted to Airman First Class after ten months as an Airman, but they can be promoted earlier if certain requirements are met. The responsibilities of an A1C include being a role model for subordinates, complying with Air Force standards and working on mastering their specific job and leadership role.
The Airman First Class's rank insignia is the same as an Airman's, a silver chevron, outlined in blue, with a downwards point that has an encircled star at the center, except that it has two stripes to the chevron. Because of the double-winged chevron of their insignia, Airmen First Class are nicknamed “Dragonfly Wings.”
Airman First Class is the 3rd rank in the United States Air Force , ranking above Airman and directly below Senior Airman. An airman first class is an Enlisted Airman at DoD paygrade E-3, with a starting monthly pay of $2,378.
How do you become a Airman First Class?
An Airman First Class is most often promoted from Airman (Amn), although promotion from lower paygrades may occur with sufficient display of leadership and experience. Click here to learn more about promotion to Airman First Class.
What is the proper way to address a Airman First Class?
The correct way to address a Airman First Class named Mr. Rodriguez is "Airman Rodriguez", or written as A1C Rodriguez. In formal situations, a Airman First Class should always be addressed by their full rank.
How much does a Airman First Class earn?
Basic pay for an entry-level Airman First Class with 2 or less years of experience is $2,377.50 per month.
A Airman First Class receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years. Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Airman First Class' final compensation package.
In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Air Force Airman First Class may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including food allowance, education allowance, and more.
For full details on the Air Force's Airman First Class compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2024 Air Force Airman First Class Pay Chart. A full table of the Air Force's current paygrades are available at the Air Force Pay Chart.
Equivalent Ranks to the Air Force's E-3 Airman First Class
To learn more about the Air Force's rank structure, see our complete list of Air Force ranks.
The Government civilian-employee equivalent of a Airman First Class is paid under the General Schedule payscale. For more details, see this Air Force rank to GS grade conversion table 
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To see a list of military medals and decorations that can be earned by servicemembers in the Air Force and other branches of the military, see our list of military decorations and medals.