Who was in the Air Force during the SrA/Sgt transition?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 May 2014 00:13:24 -0400

I came into the service in 1974, at the age of 18. During that time the Air Force decided to go with the SrA rank (E-4) and then Sgt (E-4). That memory stays with me as something original in the post Vietnam era.

Any thoughts or ideas about this? I kind of like the two-tiered E-4 idea.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2014 12:33 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 May 2014 00:33:25 -0400

I think we should bring it back, kind of like the Army's Specialist/Corporal ranks.
But it would take a lot to implement it. The current rank structure does not include E-4s as NCOs. There are Senior Airmen who are capable of the responsibility of being a Sergeant, and most promote to SSgt fairly quickly.

But I do not foresee a return to it.

Response by SSgt Michael Hacker made May 21 at 2014 1:31 AM

SSgt Michael Hacker — Wed, 21 May 2014 01:31:14 -0400

I was one of the last to hold Sgt rank. Sure was a pain in the ass correcting everyone.

Response by SSgt Michael Hacker made May 21 at 2014 8:58 AM

SSgt Michael Hacker — Wed, 21 May 2014 08:58:09 -0400

I thought the AF should've kept SrA, moved Sgt to E-5, SSgt to E-6, and deleted the title TSgt. At least then we would've been more in line with the Army and USMC. I served in a lot of joint environments, and it was weird when people senior to me kept thinking I was the senior.

Response by Sgt Randy Hill made May 21 at 2014 9:20 AM

Sgt Randy Hill — Wed, 21 May 2014 09:20:21 -0400

I was and what a weird concept. After my star got colored in I became a night shift supervisor and a dorm manager within six months with no pay raise. Also I was a reporting official and got screwed out of staff sgt. I was 2 points shy and they stopped doing the carryover. I had bad timing on this for sure.

Response by MSgt David Mata made May 21 at 2014 11:32 AM

MSgt David Mata — Wed, 21 May 2014 11:32:45 -0400

The "Buck" Sergeant rank was one of additional responsibility as opposed to the Senior Airman. Additionally, the star in the rank insignia was colored in after the rank of Buck Sergeant. E-5 is officially the NCO Rank now, and If I am correct, we are the only Service without Warrant Officers. Security Forces Airmen were much more involved these last 13 years than any other time in our little History.

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made May 21 at 2014 11:56 AM

CWO2 Shelby DuBois — Wed, 21 May 2014 11:56:54 -0400

Using the Warrant Officer rank the way it should be used is a valuable tool for command leadership. However, there are those who will argue that Warrant Officers are simply taking jobs away from either senior NCO's or Jr. Officers. This should not be the case. The CWO's are experts in their field... expertise gained from the full spectrum of experience from enlisted to officer. In the Marine Corps the CWO has the horsepower that senior NCO's lack... and credibility that both enlisted and officers have come to expect. The CWO is a very respected rank in the Corps. If the Air Force does go back to having a WO rank, it should not be in the roll of a glorified E7 or watered down Lt. Do it right.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 28 at 2016 1:41 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 01:41:33 -0400

When I first entered the Air Force in 1966 there was the rank of A3C,Airman third Class, (one stripe) (E2) A2C, Airman Second Class. (two stripes) ((E3) and A1C, Airman 1st Class, (E4) (three stripes) When i got to be and Airman First Class it wasn't because i got promoted, I still had two stripes, they had just changed the titles. When i made E4 it was no longer A1C but now Sergeant (E4) which I was promoted to while serving in Viet Nam. Currently E4 is Senior Airman. They should have just left it alone in the beginning in My opinion.

Response by SrA James Cannon made May 24 at 2019 11:03 AM

SrA James Cannon — Fri, 24 May 2019 11:03:20 -0400

I went into the Air Force in 1992. The official change had occurred just before I went in. It was in May 1991 that no more promotions to the rank of Sergeant were made. I served with quite a few Buck Sergeants. These sergeants slowly got promoted or got out over the years. It's my understanding that the last person to hold this rank left active duty in 1998 or 1999. When I left active duty in 1996, my discharge certificate says "Sgt", even though I was always only a Senior Airman. I guess it was an old leftover in the computer system. I kind of wish they still had the buck sergeant rank even if they did away with the title of Senior Airman instead. The two tier E-4 ranks scheme works for the Army, and I think it worked for the Air Force while it lasted. I think it could work again, but I don't see the Air Force bringing it back. Heck, they won't even bring back warrant officers even though they are legally authorized by Congress to do so.