Posted on Jun 11, 2015
Why are Air Medals worth so much, regarding promotion points?
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1 deployment to the Middle East for a flyer in the Air Force will equate to roughly 18 pnts of medals, depending on hours flown, that are put towards promotion. 1 deployment to the Middle East for an average Airmen conducting a ground mission averages three to five points towards promotion, depending on what medal they recieve. How is this right?
US Air Force
Promotion Points
Awards
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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Just so you know, officers don't get promoted on points, so pilots don't care, except on behalf of their enlisted crew members (ie, crew chief, boom operator).
Air Medals became quite tough to get after 1988 when the AF introduced the Aerial Achievement Medal. Combat support sorties no longer add up to Air Medals.
Air Medals became quite tough to get after 1988 when the AF introduced the Aerial Achievement Medal. Combat support sorties no longer add up to Air Medals.
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TSgt (Join to see)
No sir. Not at all. I've been deployed with EOD and the techs received a Bronze Star. That's only worth 5 points towards promotion.
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TSgt David L.
It has more (IMO) to do with an officer/aviation centered leadership than the level of danger. The maintainers and support side isn't credited or recognized for contributions to the fight and it takes a large number of occupations to send that one pilot out to be a hero but a disproportionate award system is in place to give credit for a single accomplishment to the pilot only, again, IMO...
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To me, it makes sense. After all, the primary mission of the Air Force is to fly. So it would make sense that pilots who fly get promoted faster. I would think the same goes for enlisted ground and air crew.
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PO1 John Miller
If that's the case, then I agree with you. But, it could be argued that "why don't you become an airborne linguist?" Just food for thought...
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TSgt (Join to see)
A lot comes into play with that. A lot of people can't fly due to various medical reasons. Or the Air Force isn't looking for aerial linguists in a paticular language.
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PO1 John Miller
Again, makes sense. The Navy is much the same way, especially with its linguists.
Most linguists don't deploy, at least not in the traditional Navy sense. Therefore they historically don't promote as fast as other Navy members.
Most linguists don't deploy, at least not in the traditional Navy sense. Therefore they historically don't promote as fast as other Navy members.
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SrA Anthony Payne
Lots of things can go wrong in the air which can lead to death. A fellow Boom Operator died during a peace time mission in the 80's thru no fault of his own. More inherent danger/potential risks' should lead to greater rewards other than flight pay.
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