USAF outlines structure of enlisted ranks from airman basic to chief master sergeant

The Staff Sergeant (E-5) marks the transition into noncommissioned officer status, where individuals lead E-4s and below. USAF Handbook 36-2618 describes noncommissioned officers as those who "continue occupational growth" while also becoming "expert technicians."

Technical Sergeants (E-6) are recognized as technical experts and leaders within their organizations after serving at least five years in the USAF. Master Sergeants (E-7), senior noncommissioned officers, require an associate degree for promotion and are expected to transition from first-line supervisors to operational leaders.

Promotion to Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) is highly competitive, with only 2% of enlisted personnel achieving this rank. According to military.com, this requires over 20 years of service on average.

Chief Master Sergeants and Command Chief Master Sergeants represent strategic leadership roles within major units or commands at E-9 level. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force serves as the highest-ranking enlisted leader advising top officials on matters affecting more than 665,000 Total Force Airmen.

David Flosi currently holds this position as the 20th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. He recently emphasized agility in operations during a speech at the 56th Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium: “Agile Combat Employment operations require agility... They apply their leadership skills to operate in uncertain, complex, and rapidly changing environments.”

First Sergeants serve as intermediaries between enlisted personnel and officers at ranks E-7 or higher. They focus on readiness, health, morale, welfare issues among unit members.

Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez has created an infographic summarizing these ranks for Defense Media Activity - Air Force.