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Air Force Staff Sergeant

E-5 Noncommissioned Officer, U.S. Air Force
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Technical Sergeant

Air Force Ranks » Staff Sergeant RankSSgt PaySSgt Rank HistoryPromotion Information

How to get promoted to Staff Sergeant Air Force Promotion to E-5 Staff Sergeant

A Staff Sergeant is a Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Air Force at DoD paygrade E-5. This page describes how the Air Force determines who is eligible for the promotion list to Staff Sergeant.

Due to the nature of its rank, staff sergeant is the rank where promotions are competitive. Senior airmen must have a 5 level or above in order to be considered for staff sergeant. Most senior airmen promoted to staff sergeant do so within four years. Senior airmen must also demonstrate a keen aptitude for further developing their skills and leadership.

The overall nature of the competitive promotion is based on a weighted points system known as the weighed airmen promotion system (WAPS). Many factors that counted in the system include time in service, performance reports, medals/decorations, test scores, and much more.

Want to learn more? Read about the Air Force's Staff Sergeant rank on Military-Ranks.org.