Weighted Airman Promotion System
Encyclopedia
The Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) is a United States Air Force
program that determines who will be promoted to the ranks of Staff Sergeant
(E-5)
through Master Sergeant
(E-7)
and provides feedback score sheets to enlisted members considered for promotion. These score sheets help the individual determine professional development needs. Selection for promotion to Senior Master Sergeant
(E-8) and Chief Master Sergeant
(E-9) is accomplished using an integrated weighted and central selection board system. In addition to the weighted score, the central selection board evaluates each individual using the “whole person concept.” Board scores are determined by considering performance, leadership, breadth of experience, job responsibility, professional competence, specific achievements, and education. The board score is added to the weighted score to determine order of merit for promotion.
with a few career fields receiving a few extra slots. Therefore each person competing for promotion is really only competing against those in the same Air Force Specialty (AFS).
These numbers are not disclosed until after the tests.
Many people believe that the cutoff score is arbitrarily chosen by the Air Force each year, but that is a gross misunderstanding on their part. The cutoff score varies each year because the number of promotion slots varies, and the number of points earned by the top people varies.
Fractions of points are awarded for certain categories, resulting in scores that are not whole numbers.
1 point for each year time in service (max 25 pts) for promotion to SMSgt through CMSgt
1/2 point for each month time in grade
(max 60 pts)
, a maximum of 25 is points allowed. Point values follow order of precedence.
1 pt - Achievement Medal
(all versions)
2 pts - Air Force Recruiter Ribbon
3 pts - Commendation Medal
(all versions)
3 pts - Aerial Achievement Medal
3 pts - Air Medal
5 pts - Meritorious Service Medal
5 pts - Defense Meritorious Service Medal
5 pts - Purple Heart
5 pts - Bronze Star
5 pts - Airman's Medal
7 pts - Distinguished Flying Cross
7 pts - Defense Superior Service Medal
7 pts - Legion of Merit
9 pts - Defense Superior Service Medal
9 pts - Silver Star
9 pts - Distinguished Service Medal
9 pts - Defense Distinguished Service Medal
11 pts - Air Force Cross
, Navy Cross
, or Distinguished Service Cross
15 pts - Medal of Honor
(Note: Promotion to next highest grade usually will occur the 1st day of the month following awarding of MOH)
is 135 points. Take all EPRs from the last 5 years, not to exceed 10 EPRs. Multiply each EPR rating (1 through 5) by the "time weighted factor":
and so on each time weighted factor decreases by 5 for each report down to a last one of 5 (if there are 10 EPRs). Take the final product from EACH of the reports and multiply each of them by 27. Add all of those products together.
Separately add up the sum of the time weighted factors. Divide the sum products of the reports by the sum of the time weighted factors. This final number is the number of points awarded for EPRs.
There are some members who, for one reason or another, do not take the SKT. The common reasons are that they are performing a special duty, and do not have CDCs, or they are in the process of retraining so have not done the CDCs for their new job. Others may not have access to their CDCs for one reason or another. These members take only the PFE and the same score counts in place of the SKT. (So if they earn a 60 on the PFE, it is as if they earn a 60 on the PFE and also a 60 on the SKT.) This is termed either "PFE only" or "SKT exempt".
Taking the tests is known as "WAPS Testing" or "Promotion Testing".
The line numbers are given out according to time in current grade, not by promotion scores, as is frequently perceived.
system has become "inflated," with most average and above individuals, including the stellar performers, receiving 5s, leaving much of the "who gets promoted" determination to the academic testing, which isn't necessarily a good indication of who is ready to lead and take on more responsibility.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
program that determines who will be promoted to the ranks of Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
(E-5)
Pay grade
Pay grades are used by the uniformed services of the United States to determine wages and benefits based on the corresponding military rank of a member of the services...
through Master Sergeant
Master Sergeant
A master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in some armed forces.-Israel Defense Forces:Rav samal rishoninsignia IDF...
(E-7)
Pay grade
Pay grades are used by the uniformed services of the United States to determine wages and benefits based on the corresponding military rank of a member of the services...
and provides feedback score sheets to enlisted members considered for promotion. These score sheets help the individual determine professional development needs. Selection for promotion to Senior Master Sergeant
Senior Master Sergeant
Senior Master Sergeant is the eighth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Master Sergeant and below Chief Master Sergeant and is a senior non-commissioned officer ....
(E-8) and Chief Master Sergeant
Chief Master Sergeant
CMSgt ChevronChief Master Sergeant is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Master Sergeant, and is a senior non-commissioned officer. The official term of address is "Chief Master Sergeant" or "Chief".Attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant is the...
(E-9) is accomplished using an integrated weighted and central selection board system. In addition to the weighted score, the central selection board evaluates each individual using the “whole person concept.” Board scores are determined by considering performance, leadership, breadth of experience, job responsibility, professional competence, specific achievements, and education. The board score is added to the weighted score to determine order of merit for promotion.
The Numbers
Each year The Air Force determines how many people are needed to be promoted in order to fulfill mission requirements and manning goals as set forth by law and regulation. The Air Force then divides these slots by percentages across its various AFSCsAir Force Specialty Code
The Air Force Specialty Code is an alphanumeric code used by the United States Air Force to identify an Air Force Specialty . Officer AFSCs consist of four characters and enlisted AFSCs consist of five characters. A letter prefix or suffix may be used with an AFSC when more specific identification...
with a few career fields receiving a few extra slots. Therefore each person competing for promotion is really only competing against those in the same Air Force Specialty (AFS).
These numbers are not disclosed until after the tests.
The Points
Everyone who is eligible to compete for promotion receives points based on a number of criteria- Time in Service, Time in Grade, Awards and Decorations, EPR points, PFE points, and SKT points. The points are added up for each person, and the top number of people up to the promotion allowance in each career field are promoted. The score of the last person is known as "the cutoff" which is used as a gauge to see how close those who did not make it came. For example, if 50 1A1s are to be promoted from E-4 to E-5, then the 50 eligible E-4 1A1s with the highest total points will be promoted. Also, everyone else in the Air Force Specialty(AFS) who may test at a later date (for one of several reasons), who also achieve the cutoff score will be promoted as well, which increases the total number of promotees.Many people believe that the cutoff score is arbitrarily chosen by the Air Force each year, but that is a gross misunderstanding on their part. The cutoff score varies each year because the number of promotion slots varies, and the number of points earned by the top people varies.
Fractions of points are awarded for certain categories, resulting in scores that are not whole numbers.
Time in Service and Time in Grade
2 points for each year time in service (max 40 pts) for promotion to SSgt through MSgt1 point for each year time in service (max 25 pts) for promotion to SMSgt through CMSgt
1/2 point for each month time in grade
Pay grade
Pay grades are used by the uniformed services of the United States to determine wages and benefits based on the corresponding military rank of a member of the services...
(max 60 pts)
Awards and decorations
For awards and decorationsAwards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
, a maximum of 25 is points allowed. Point values follow order of precedence.
1 pt - Achievement Medal
Achievement Medal
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
(all versions)
2 pts - Air Force Recruiter Ribbon
3 pts - Commendation Medal
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
(all versions)
3 pts - Aerial Achievement Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
The Aerial Achievement Medal is a decoration of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1988. The decoration is intended to recognize the contributions of aircrew members who would, otherwise, not be qualified for the award of the Air Medal....
3 pts - Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
5 pts - Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
5 pts - Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
5 pts - Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
5 pts - Bronze Star
5 pts - Airman's Medal
Airman's Medal
The Airman’s Medal is a military decoration of the United States Air Force and is awarded to those service members or those of a friendly nation who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroic actions, usually at the voluntary risk of life, but...
7 pts - Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
7 pts - Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
7 pts - Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
9 pts - Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
9 pts - Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
9 pts - Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
9 pts - Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
11 pts - Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United States)
The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The Air Force Cross is the Air Force decoration equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross .The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism...
, Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, or Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
15 pts - Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
(Note: Promotion to next highest grade usually will occur the 1st day of the month following awarding of MOH)
Enlisted Performance Reports
The maximum for EPRsEnlisted Performance Report
An Enlisted Performance Report is an evaluation form used by the United States Air Force. Instructions for constructing an EPR appear in chapter 3 of Air Force Instruction 36-2406: Officer and Enlisted Evaluation Systems...
is 135 points. Take all EPRs from the last 5 years, not to exceed 10 EPRs. Multiply each EPR rating (1 through 5) by the "time weighted factor":
- 50 for the most recent report
- 45 for the next most recent
- 40 for the next
and so on each time weighted factor decreases by 5 for each report down to a last one of 5 (if there are 10 EPRs). Take the final product from EACH of the reports and multiply each of them by 27. Add all of those products together.
Separately add up the sum of the time weighted factors. Divide the sum products of the reports by the sum of the time weighted factors. This final number is the number of points awarded for EPRs.
Promotion Fitness Examination (PFE)
The PFE is the Promotion Fitness Examination. It is a test whose material is taken from the Professional Development Guide. It is a wide range of information about the US Air Force, and covers topics such as history, organization, regulations, practices, traditions and customs. The test is 100 multiple choice questions. The score one earns on the test is the same number of points awarded (100 maximum).Specialty Knowledge Test (SKT)
The Specialty Knowledge Test is a 100 question multiple choice test. The test material is taken from the Career Development Course (CDCs) and applicable Air Force Instructions and Manuals for each AFSC. Members in different AFSCs take different SKTs. The number of points earned on the SKT is the number of points awarded towards promotion (100 maximum).There are some members who, for one reason or another, do not take the SKT. The common reasons are that they are performing a special duty, and do not have CDCs, or they are in the process of retraining so have not done the CDCs for their new job. Others may not have access to their CDCs for one reason or another. These members take only the PFE and the same score counts in place of the SKT. (So if they earn a 60 on the PFE, it is as if they earn a 60 on the PFE and also a 60 on the SKT.) This is termed either "PFE only" or "SKT exempt".
Taking the tests is known as "WAPS Testing" or "Promotion Testing".
Line Numbers
When it is determined who will be promoted, a list is drawn up and each person is assigned a number officially known as "promotion sequence numbers" but commonly called line numbers. As if all the promotees were waiting in a line, the line number says which order one will be promoted. The line numbers are all across the Air Force, not by AFSC. The promotions begin in September and will continue each month on the first of the month for 12 months for SSgts while TSgt and MSgt promotions start in August.The line numbers are given out according to time in current grade, not by promotion scores, as is frequently perceived.
Criticisms
The promotion system has come under heavy criticism from all ranks in the Air Force. The primary complaint is that the EPREnlisted Performance Report
An Enlisted Performance Report is an evaluation form used by the United States Air Force. Instructions for constructing an EPR appear in chapter 3 of Air Force Instruction 36-2406: Officer and Enlisted Evaluation Systems...
system has become "inflated," with most average and above individuals, including the stellar performers, receiving 5s, leaving much of the "who gets promoted" determination to the academic testing, which isn't necessarily a good indication of who is ready to lead and take on more responsibility.