When I got out I was an E4 Sgt, Now is classified as Senior Airman ?

2020-06-21T23:06:28-04:00

I went in delayed entry into the Air Force in Dec 77, went active duty July 78, I served 4 years and when I got out I was an E4 Sgt since they have changed the ranking system, they are classifying me as a Senior Airman. How can this be corrected?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 21 at 2020 11:13 PM

2020-06-21T23:13:40-04:00

Corrected how/for what. When the Army abolished SP5 and up, they were converted to hard strip NCO's.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 21 at 2020 11:18 PM

2020-06-21T23:18:54-04:00

That’s a unique question and I honestly don’t know if the answer will end up being what you want.

Good luck

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 22 at 2020 12:23 AM

2020-06-22T00:23:52-04:00

Your 214 reads? That is all you need.

Response by Capt Claudia Valentine made Jun 22 at 2020 6:49 AM

2020-06-22T06:49:20-04:00

If you had less than 1 year time in grade the Sra designation would be correct. You were still an E4, just classified as a NCO in training, so to speak. The title doesn't affect any benefits you may have earned.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jun 22 at 2020 10:11 AM

2020-06-22T10:11:55-04:00

Who is the they that are classifying you ?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 22 at 2020 10:44 AM

2020-06-22T10:44:08-04:00

There's nothing to correct. An E-4 in the Air Force is a Senior Airman. Also, who is "they"?. You're a civilian, you don't have rank, so who is the "they" that's calling you any rank at all?

Response by SFC Steven Borders made Jun 22 at 2020 11:17 AM

2020-06-22T11:17:41-04:00

From what I remember my father telling me MSgt Private RallyPoint Member is that the "buck sergeant" was replaced in in 1991 with the Senior Airman. There is no way to correct this. But you know what you were when you got out and no one will question it. As, my Grandfather was a "buck sergeant" when he left the Air Force. He will always be remember to me as one.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2020 12:06 PM

2020-06-22T12:06:51-04:00

Sgt Brigid Totten Here is a previous post with the same topic but it looks like your rank now is listed as Sergeant, so the correction has been made.

https://www.rallypoint.com/profiles/21661-2531-field-radio-operator

Sgt, 2531 - Marine Corps | RallyPoint Veteran Profile

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jun 22 at 2020 2:20 PM

2020-06-22T14:20:04-04:00

What does your DD-214 list as your highest rank obtained? If it shows "SGT", problem solved. SrA and Sgt are both E-4 so it shouldn't affect any benefits you are entitled to either way. Incidentally, most people really don't care what rank you were when you left the service. As long as you served honorably, that's all that really matters.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Jun 23 at 2020 12:06 AM

2020-06-23T00:06:23-04:00

E4 Sgt or E4 SrA are the same. The Air Force dropped E4 Sgt. HOWEVER, as Charles stated below. Read your DD214, what does it say? Are you trying to re-enter the service? If so, you COULD re-enter as an "E4 SrA or higher".

Response by MSgt Gilbert Jones made Jun 26 at 2020 1:09 PM

2020-06-26T13:09:06-04:00

It has been 29 years since I retired but an E-4 was first a Senior Airmen and and one year and completing leadership course, they became a Sgt. I never was a Sgt when I was an E4 because in Oct 1967, they changed E4s to become Sgts, and I was promoted to SSgt that day. It did save me some money because I didn't have to change my stripes to Sgt (with star). Changing the stripes didn't increase their pay just gave a little more responsibilities and pride being a NCO.