Promoting Airmen with the Potential to Lead: A Study of the Air Force Master Sergeant Promotion System

Synopsis

As Operations Become More Jointly Connected With Other Military Services And The Air Force Becomes Smaller, There Is Concern That More Leadership Responsibility And Authority Is Being Pushed Down To Noncommissioned Officers. As The First Level Of Senior Noncommissioned Officers, The Ability Of Master Sergeants To Be Effective Leaders Is Especially Critical. A Key Component Of Ensuring That Master Sergeants Have The Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities To Fulfill The Required Leadership Responsibilities Is Having An Effective System To Promote Airmen With The Greatest Potential. Despite Changes In Force Size, Operational Requirements, And Airmen's Responsibilities, The Current Promotion System Has Remained Largely Unchanged Since It Was Developed More Than 40 Years Ago. Therefore, Rand Researchers Assessed The Current System And Explored Areas For Possible Improvement.--publisher's Website. Introduction -- Master Sergeant Leadership Responsibilities And Related Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities -- The Weighted Airman Promotion System -- Effectiveness Of The Current Master Sergeant Promotion System -- Options For Improvement -- Conclusion And Recommendations -- Appendix A: Enlisted Performance Report Forms -- Appendix B: Interview Method And Analysis -- Appendix C: Waps Factor Descriptive Statistics -- Appendix D: Overview Of The Generalized Boosted Model -- Appendix E: Research Findings On Evaluation Criteria For Each Assessment Method -- Appendix F: Estimated Cost Of A Master Sergeant Promotion Board. Kirsten M. Keller [and Six Others]. Rand Project Air Force Rr-581-af--page 4 Of Cover. Includes Bibliographical Reference (pages 85-93). Fa7014-06-c-0001