For Airman First Class (A1C) looking to advance in their career, there are two main paths to earning a Senior Airman (SrA) stripe:
- Standard Promotion — When you meet the fully qualified requirements.
- Below-the-Zone (BTZ) — A one-time opportunity to promote six months early if you’re a top performer.
This article covers both types of promotions, recent updates to SrA promotion rules, and the role of supplemental consideration in special cases.
SrA Standard (Fully Qualified) Promotions
Under normal circumstances, fully qualified Airmen are promoted to SrA once they meet the minimum requirements:
- Eligibility Requirements
- Complete 36 months’ time-in-service (TIS) and 20 months’ time-in-grade (TIG), OR
- Complete 28 months’ time-in-grade, whichever occurs first.
- Must be recommended in writing by the promotion authority.
- Promotion Update
- The Force Management office at the Military Personnel Flight (MPF) updates the promotion once an A1C meets these requirements.
- Delays Due to Skill-Level Training
- If you’re unable to obtain your 3-skill level by the time of your projected SrA promotion date through no fault of your own, your commander must request retroactive promotion through the MPF once you earn your 3-level.
- This ensures you’re not penalized for training delays outside your control.
SrA Below-the-Zone (BTZ) Promotions
Below-the-Zone is a separate process offering a chance to promote to SrA six months ahead of the normal timeline. You only get one chance at BTZ, making it crucial to know your eligibility window and how the board process works.
Eligibility & Identification
- You must still meet the general TIG and TIS thresholds, just six months earlier.
- The Personnel Systems Management Section produces a quarterly roster of all A1Cs who might be eligible.
Nomination and Boards
- Unit Nomination: Your commander consults your rating chain (supervisor, flight leadership) to decide whether to nominate you.
- Central Base Board vs. Large Units:
- Large Units (7+ eligibles): They have their own selection boards.
- Small Units (fewer than 7 eligibles): They compete in a central base board organized by the host wing or installation commander.
Quotas & Selection
- Generally set at 15% of all eligible A1Cs.
- The commander or delegated official approves the specific quota distribution.
Results & PCS
- If selected, your name is underlined on the official eligibility roster and returned to the MPF.
- If you’re due to PCS around the first processing month, your losing unit must still consider you for BTZ.
Using the BTZ Calculator
A convenient way to gauge your eligibility timeline for BTZ is the BTZ Calculator. While official rosters and commander endorsements ultimately dictate eligibility, this tool can help you project your earliest possible BTZ window so you know when to start preparing your records and talking with leadership.
Supplemental Below-the-Zone Consideration
Even with established procedures, mistakes happen. If you were overlooked or omitted from a BTZ cycle when you should have been considered, you may be eligible for supplemental BTZ:
Requesting a Supplemental Board
- Your commander submits justification for why you were denied a fair shot (e.g., roster errors, missed deadlines not caused by you).
- If approved, you get an extra one-time quota for the specific quarter in which you should have been considered.
Deadlines
- Must be requested and approved before the next quarterly board.
- If you’re approved, you’ll be considered alongside the next cycle of eligibles.
Key Takeaways
✅ Know Your Promotion Path: Standard SrA promotions require 36 months TIS and 20 months TIG (or 28 months TIG), while BTZ lets top performers pin on six months sooner.
✅ Skill-Level Requirements: If you can’t get your 3-skill level on time for reasons beyond your control, your commander can request a retroactive date once you’re qualified.
✅ Use the Tools: Check the BTZ Calculator for a quick projection of your eligibility, but rely on your MPF and official rosters for final confirmation.
✅ Stay Proactive: Talk with your chain of command if you suspect any issues with your promotion timeline, whether for standard SrA or a BTZ board.
✅ Supplemental Consideration: If you were missed during a BTZ cycle, investigate the supplemental process right away. Timeliness can be critical.
Final Thoughts
Promotions to Senior Airman—whether by standard timeline or Below-the-Zone—are key milestones in an Air Force career. By staying informed of the latest requirements, understanding how BTZ boards and rosters function, and knowing when to seek supplemental review if something goes wrong, you can ensure you have every opportunity to progress on schedule. Always work closely with your supervisor, chain of command, and your MPF to stay on top of eligibility windows and skill-level requirements. Good luck on your journey to pinning on that next stripe!
Source: AFI 36-2502
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