AF enlisted rank structure 101
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- As enlisted personnel, Airmen of all ranks are charged to uphold professional standards and successfully accomplish their duties. As Airmen climb the enlisted ladder, they evolve into expert technical and supervisory positions.
If the question, "As a [insert rank here], what should I be doing," is asked in any work center, Air Force Instruction 39-2618, commonly known as "The Little Brown Book," has the answers needed. Airmen of all ranks from the 31st Fighter Wing were asked to share what their roles and responsibilities are in their own words.
E-1: Airman Basic
"To me, my role as an airman basic is to improve and begin to master my job," said Airman Basic Danielle Freire, 31st Force Support Squadron force management journeyman. "I look up to my supervisors and choose positive mentors in my career field. I also think it is my job to give a fresh point of view toward an issue because I am the newest member of the Air Force."
E-2: Airman
"To me, my role as an airman is to continue to advance in my primary job and to adjust into the Air Force life style," said Airman Louis Balderas, 31st Communications Squadron cybersecurity technician. "I also focus on becoming a fundamental asset to the rest of my squadron."
E-3: Airman First Class
"As an airman 1st class, it is my role to learn from and follow after my leadership," said Airman 1st Class Ian Kelly, 31st Security Forces Squadron response team member. "I also need to be prepared to advance in my skills and begin to master all aspects of my job."
E-4: Senior Airman
"As a senior airman, I am expected to become more skilled in my career, train others and be a first-line supervisor," said Senior Airman William Kiss, 31st Fighter Wing Judge Advocate paralegal. "I am at the crossroads of perfecting my craft and becoming a supervisor in the work center. I am training others while trying to obtain more knowledge for myself. I will be going through [Airman Leadership School] soon to prepare myself for the jump to becoming a NCO."
E-5: Staff Sergeant
"As a staff sergeant, I see my role in the Air Force as being a positive example and a sounding board for the lower ranking Airmen," said Staff Sgt. Christine Baughman, 31st Maintenance Squadron support section assistant NCO in charge. "I also see myself as a sponge to the higher ranks, while I absorb what I can learn from them and then utilize the information throughout my career and leadership duties. As a supervisor, sometimes you have to put your goals and aspirations on the backburner for a while and focus on the mission and your people, to complete the mission."
E-6: Technical Sergeant
"My role as a technical sergeant is to be the expert in my job," said Tech. Sgt. Ashley Strong, 31st Dental Squadron NCO in charge of dental records. "I am responsible for my subordinates and making sure they are competent and confident in performing their primary duties. I have to lead by example by knowing my duties and being ready to execute them and to be actively engaged with my Airmen to understand what motivates them."
E-7: Master Sergeant
"Having served in this wonderful Air Force twelve days shy of twenty years, I feel a master sergeant should be many things," said Master Sgt. Everett Gauthier, 31st Aerospace Medical Squadron flight chief of flight and operational medicine. "A master sergeant should be the one who has complete command over his or her department and should have mastered earlier tier requirements and be able to grow their Airman into strong, technically competent and professional NCOs. My expectation of myself and every other master sergeant should be that we are 'all-in.' If you're not in it for real, then it's time to move on because you are slowing the rest of us down."
E-8: Senior Master Sergeant
"My job as a senior master sergeant is to listen to younger Airmen," said Senior Master Sgt. Bobby Hickman, 31st Operations Support Squadron superintendent. "I feel like I can be a positive example and role model for Airman from any squadron, not just my own. It is my job to lead NCOs and help them improve as leaders."
E-9: Chief Master Sergeant
"Being a chief master sergeant, I make sure Airmen are not distracted from completing the mission while explaining and implementing strategic-level changes," said Chief Master Sgt. Coben Scott, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron installation fire chief. "I help Airmen prepare for whatever the future brings, including promotions, increased responsibilities and sometimes refocusing them on 'what's right.' I ensure our younger Airmen are prepared to be supervisors and help develop our newest senior NCOs to become chiefs one day. I also help Airmen understand where they fit into the overall mission and vision of today's Air Force, and that no matter where they work, we need them and they are an integral part of Team Aviano. In short, a chief is a leader and mentor for all Airmen."
In addition to outlining the roles and responsibilities of Airmen at every level, this AFI also explains all special senior NCO duties, to include command chief master sergeants, first sergeants, career field managers and functional managers. Regardless of Air Force Specialty Code, being an Airman and knowing what is expected of every rank will set Airmen up for success.
For more information on AFI 36-2618, click here.