WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 5 CADET PROMOTION SYSTEM TODD BEAMER HIGH SCHOOL AFJROTC September 7, 2017 Authored by: 51ST TITAN GROUP SENIOR STAFF
WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 5 CADET PROMOTION SYSTEM PURPOSE: This operations instruction outlines the rank and grade structure system and explains the cadet promotion system and how cadets can be promoted in both the enlisted and officer ranks and corps positions. OVERVIEW: The purpose of any promotion system is to reward good performance while maintaining a rank and leadership position program that does not promote cadets too fast and beyond their experience and maturity level. Cadets can become anxious for advancement and need to understand that moving up the rank and position ladder too soon will limit their advancement later on when they are juniors and seniors. 1. Rank and Grade Structure: a. Ranks. All of the United States military services divide their rank structure into two categories: officer and enlisted. Enlisted [personnel] are the backbone of the military. They have specific specialties within a [military] unit and officers act as managers to those personnel. The officers plan missions, give orders, and assign enlisted personnel to tasks. b. US Military Rank Structure: the table below identifies the officer and enlisted ranks of all of the US military services: 1
WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 c. JROTC Ranks Structure: JROTC ranks are similarly structured; however, cadet ranks are preceded with cadet. For instance, in the real military an officer might be identified as a Major; however, in JROTC this same rank is referred to as Cadet Major. Cadet ranks are not the same as real military ranks and should never be considered the same. The tables below identify the cadet enlisted and officer ranks for all the service JROTC programs: 2
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WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 https://www.google.com/search?q=military+rank+chart&safe=active&biw=1920&bih=950&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=x&ved=0ah UKEwibu8uLxffRAhVQ42MKHRCABEcQsAQIGQ&dpr=1 d. Grade and rank are often used inter-changeably and are also often confused. 1) Grade is a major step in the promotion structure or program while rank is grade adjusted for time. Captain or Major are examples of grade; several individuals can have the same grade. This also designates a military member s pay level. Grades are designed as follows: 2) Rank refers to seniority between two persons of the same grade based on such factors as date of rank, time in service, date of commissioning, age, etc. No two persons in a grade have the same rank - one is always senior to the other. Bottom Line: The difference between grade and rank is that grade is a major step in the promotion process. Rank is seniority between two people of the same grade. For the purpose of this OI, we will consider grade and rank as the same. Military Rank E Enlisted An enlisted member is one who has joined the military or "enlisted." A minimum of a high school diploma is required. NCO Noncommissioned Officer An NCO is an enlisted member who has risen through the ranks through promotion. NCOs serve as the link between enlisted personnel and commissioned officers. They hold responsibility for training troops to execute missions. Training for NCOs includes leadership, management, specific skills, and combat training. W Warrant Officer A warrant officer is a highly trained specialist. One must be an enlisted member with several years of experience, be recommended by his or her commander, and pass a selection board to become a warrant officer. O Commissioned Officer A commissioned officer's primary function is to provide management and leadership in his or her area of responsibility. Requires a bachelor's degree and later, as one progresses through the ranks, a master's degree for promotions. Specific commissioning programs exist (e.g., military academies, Reserve Officer Training Corps [ROTC]). 4
WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 Army Ranks Pay Grade Title Abbreviation E-1 Private PVT E-2 Private 2 PV2 E-3 Private First Class PFC E-4 Specialist SPC E-4 Corporal CPL E-5 Sergeant SGT E-6 Staff Sergeant SSG E-7 Sergeant First Class SFC E-8 Master Sergeant MSG E-8 First Sergeant 1SG E-9 Sergeant Major SGM E-9 Command Sergeant Major CSM E-9 Special Sergeant Major of the Army SMA W-1 Warrant Officer WO1 W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 CW2 W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 CW3 W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 CW4 W-5 Chief Warrant Officer 5 CW5 O-1 Second Lieutenant 2LT O-2 First Lieutenant 1LT O-3 Captain CPT O-4 Major MAJ O-5 Lieutenant Colonel LTC O-6 Colonel COL O-7 Brigadier General BG O-8 Major General MG O-9 Lieutenant General LTG O-10 General GEN Special General of the Army GA 5
WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 Air Force Ranks Pay Grade Title Abbreviation E-1 Airman Basic AB E-2 Airman Amn E-3 Airman First Class A1C E-4 Senior Airman or Sergeant SrA E-5 Staff Sergeant SSgt E-6 Technical Sergeant TSgt E-7 Master Sergeant MSgt E-8 Senior Master Sergeant SMSgt E-8 Senior Master Sergeant SMSgt E-9 Chief Master Sergeant CMSgt E-9 Command Chief Master Sergeant CCM E-9 Special Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force CMSAF O-1 Second Lieutenant 2d Lt O-2 First Lieutenant 1st Lt O-3 Captain Capt O-4 Major Maj O-5 Lieutenant Colonel Lt Col O-6 Colonel Col O-7 Brigadier General Brig Gen O-8 Major General Maj Gen O-9 Lieutenant General Lt Gen O-10 General Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Special General of the Air Force GOAF 6
WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 Navy/Coast Guard Rates Pay Grade Title Abbreviation E-1 Seaman Recruit SR E-2 Seaman Apprentice SA E-3 Seaman SN E-4 Petty Officer 3rd Class PO3 E-5 Petty Officer 2nd Class PO2 E-6 Petty Officer 1st Class PO1 E-7 Chief Petty Officer CPO E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer SCPO E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer MCPO E-9 Command Master Chief Petty Officer MCPOC E-9 Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer FLTCM E-9 Force Master Chief Petty Officer FORCM E-9 Special Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard MPCOCG E-9 Special Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON W-1 Warrant Officer WO1 W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2 W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3 W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4 W-5 Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5 O-1 Ensign ENS O-2 Lieutenant, Junior Grade LTJG O-3 Lieutenant LT O-4 Lieutenant Commander LCDR O-5 Commander CDR O-6 Captain CAPT O-7 Rear Admiral (lower half) RDML O-8 Rear Admiral (upper half) RADM O-9 Vice Admiral VADM O-10 Admiral Chief of Naval Operations /Commandant of the Coast Guard ADM O-10 Special Fleet Admiral FADM 7
WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 Marine Corps Ranks Pay Grade Title Abbreviation E-1 Private Pvt E-2 Private First Class PFC E-3 Lance Corporal LCpl E-4 Corporal Cpl E-5 Sergeant Sgt E-6 Staff Sergeant SSgt E-7 Gunnery Sergeant GySgt E-8 Master Sergeant MSgt E-8 First Sergeant 1stSgt E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant MGySgt E-9 Sergeant Major SgtMaj E-9 Special Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps SgtMajMarCor W-1 Warrant Officer 1 WO1 W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 CW2 W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 CW3 W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 CW4 W-5 Chief Warrant Officer 5 CW5 O-1 Second Lieutenant 2ndLt O-2 First Lieutenant 1stLt O-3 Captain Capt O-4 Major Maj O-5 Lieutenant Colonel LtCol O-6 Colonel Col O-7 Brigadier General BGen O-8 Major General MajGen O-9 Lieutenant General LtGen O-10 General Gen https://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/docs/em_rank.html 8
WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 2. Promotion System: a. Promotion systems are designed to advance a military member to higher leadership positions and/or military rank based upon his or her individual experience, performance and behavior. b. Individual performance can be measured using criteria and process established by the organization a person belongs to. c. Our promotion system is two-fold: rank and leadership position advancement. 3. 51 st Titan Group Promotion System: a. Like any other organization, our unit has a promotion system that includes positions and ranks and is based upon performance. 1) Our system of ranks is two-tiered: temporary and permanent. A. Your temporary rank is based upon the leadership position you hold and lasts as long as you stay in that position. When you change your position, then you will revert back to your permanent rank unless you earn another leadership position with an equal or higher temporary rank. If your permanent rank is higher than your temporary rank, then you will wear the higher rank unless the position requires a cadet enlisted rank. B. Permanent ranks are the actual ranks you earn based upon your performance in class (years of AFJROTC you have successfully completed) and in the cadet corps. C. To advance in rank, you must meet performance standards designated by the SASI and the cadet senior leadership staff. These performance standards include your behavior as well. D. There are 3 rank promotion tracks you can follow: (Track 1) the regular enlisted permanent rank based upon a yearly cycle; (Track 2) an accelerated enlisted permanent rank based upon a semester cycle; and, (Track 3) the permanent officer rank promotion system that is on a semester cycle. Each track follows a specific promotion schedule and includes performance criteria. E. Attachments 1, 2, and 3 explain each of these tracks. You can decide which track you want to follow over the course of your AFJROTC career and apply to enter that track. You can move from one track to the other throughout your AFJROTC career; however, the performance criteria for the appropriate track must be met regardless. You must complete a track application and submit it to the cadet evaluation board for review and an approval or disapproval recommendation to the SASI. (See Attachment 4) Before you can enter track 3, you must hold an officer s position for 2 or more grading periods. 2) Cadet Leadership Position Advancement: A. Leadership positions are also tied to rank and experience in AFJROTC. This means that more experienced and higher ranking cadets will usually hold the more substantial leadership positions (i.e. commanders, team commanders, very significant support positions). Noncommissioned officer (NCO) cadets usually handle mid-level support positions that vary in their significance but still require a lot of experience (i.e. club leaders, supply, etc.). Lower ranking cadets 9
WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 typically hold lower leadership positions that require less experience (i.e. element leaders and guides) and allow them to learn from their mistakes and prepare for higher rank and leadership responsibility. B. Your AFJROTC performance in lower, less responsible leadership positions and your time in AFJROTC helps your cadet leaders and the SASI determine if you are eligible and able to advance to a higher position handle more responsibility. b. Performance reports are how we assess your performance and help us determine whether you should advance in your permanent rank and leadership position. (See Attachments 5, 6, 7, and 8) 1) Your immediate commanders (flight, squadron, and group) will observe you and evaluate your performance based upon the track you choose and the associated evaluation rubric assigned to your track (1, 2, or 3). Keep in mind, the performance criteria is different depending on whether you are an NCO or officer. A. The Cadet Enlisted Performance Report First Year is rather simple and focuses more on your success in class, involvement in the corps, and your behavior. This report is also designed to evaluate your performance in a lower leadership position. You do not need a position to advance to the next rank if you successfully complete your AFJROTC semester and stay out of trouble. B. Track 1, Cadet Enlisted Performance Report is more comprehensive and requires you to perform well in other things besides the classroom and behavior. Typically, this form evaluates enlisted cadets who are in their 2 nd, 3 rd, or 4 th year and based upon an annual promotion cycle occurring at the end of each year. You do not need a leadership position to earn a rank or leadership position advancement in this track; however your advancement is slower and confined to the enlisted ranks. C. Track 2, Cadet Enlisted Performance Report is even more comprehensive and limited to selected cadets who want advanced promotions that occur at the end of each semester. These reports are similar to the Track 2 reports; however, you are required to do more and take on more responsibility quicker. D. Track 3, Cadet Officer Performance Report is used to evaluate cadet officers who are selected to enter this track in accordance with paragraph 3a1E above. 2) All of these evaluation reports are also used to evaluate your performance in your leadership position and can be used to determine your advancement in rank and/or leadership position. b. The Cadet Evaluation Board is responsible for holding a promotion board at the end of each semester. The board will review your entire cadet performance, using your evaluation form, during the promotion period (to include the performance criteria in each table) and decide whether to recommend you to the SASI for promotion in rank and/or leadership position. (See WA-20051 OI-3) c. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR LEADERSHIP POSITION CAN ALSO BE DETERMINED BY THE NEEDS OF THE UNIT AND NOT JUST WHAT S WRITTEN ON YOUR EVALUATION REPORT. THIS MEANS THAT YOU MAY BE GIVEN A LEADERSHIP POSITION THAT NEEDS YOUR SKILLS AND GIVES YOU BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. ADDITIONALLY, WE CHANGE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS EVERY 10
WA-20051 OPERATIONS INSTRUCTION 9/6/2017 SEMESTER, SO THAT MORE CADETS CAN HOLD POSITIONS. SO YOU MAY HAVE A POSITION DURING ONE SEMESTER BUT NOT ANOTHER. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU DID A POOR JOB IN YOUR PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP POSITION, BUT YOUR GOOD JOB WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CONSIDERING YOU FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE FUTURE. 3. Transfers from another JROTC unit: a. If a cadet transfers into our AFJROTC program from another service JROTC program, then the cadet group commander and SASI may take into consideration the new cadet s prior JROTC experience (i.e. time in JROTC and leadership positions) when considering him or her for a leadership position. However, the new cadet will not automatically fill any unit position without first gaining some experience in our AFJROTC program and going through the normal selection process like any other AFJROTC cadet. b. The SASI determines if the rank held in another service will transfer to our AFJROTC unit on a one-t0-one basis. However, the transfer must be consistent with our current promotion system and rank structure. 4. The SASI is the final authority on the promotion system and can change it as he sees fit and/or may be necessary for the benefit of our AFJROTC program. 11