USAF Enlisted Force Structure & Leadership Study
Guide
1. WHAT REGULATION COVERS THE ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE? - ✔✔- AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION (AFI)
36-2618 - THE ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE.
2. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-2618? - ✔✔-Provides the general framework
for the enlisted force structure that best meets mission requirements, while developing institutional and
occupational competencies
-Defines the leadership levels, tiers, ranks, roles, terms of address, general responsibilities, duty titles
and special positions for the enlisted force
-Provides a framework for supervisors as they set standards during initial feedback sessions, evaluate
progress during mid-term feedback sessions, and document performance on annual reports
3. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HAVING A FORMAL ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE? - ✔✔- TO DEFINE THE
ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE, SPECIFY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH ENLSITED RANK WITHIN THE
STRUCTURE, AND ESTABLISH TITLE FOR EACH RANK AND TERMS OF ADDRESS FOR AIR FORCE ENLISTED
PERSONNEL. THIS INSTRUCTION ALSO ESTABLISHES MANDATORY NCO RESPONSIBILITIES.
Name and define the Air Force Leadership Levels - ✔✔Tactical Expertise - this level is predominantly
direct and face-to-face and focused on personal competencies. At this level Airmen gain a general
understanding of team leadership and appreciation for organizational leadership.
Operational Competence - At this level, Airmen understand the broader Air Force perspective and the
integration of diverse people and capabilities in operational execution.
Strategic Vision - Airmen combine highly developed personnel and people/team institutional
competencies to apply broad organizational competencies.
4. WHAT IS THE THREE TIER STRUCTURE. - ✔✔- AIRMAN TIER - CONSISTING OF AIRMAN BASIC, AIRMAN,
AIRMAN FIRST CLASS AND SENIOR AIRMAN.
- NCO TIER - STAFF SERGEANT, TECHNICAL SERGEANT
- SENIOR NCO TIER - MASTER SERGEANT, SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT, CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT.
, JUNIOR ENLISTED AIRMEN TIER - ✔✔AB, Amn, A1C, SrA
In this tier, Airmen prepare for increased responsibilities and ensure they are trained, qualified and
ready to operate, both at home and in an expeditionary environment.
NCO TIER - ✔✔SSgt, TSgt
- continue occupational growth and become expert technicians while developing as leaders, supervisors,
managers, and mentors in the profession of arms
Senior NCO Tier - ✔✔MSgt, SMSgt, CMSgt
- serve as leaders in the profession of arms, advise, supervise and mentor others to further grow and
develop junior enlisted Airmen and Noncommissioned Officers under their charge
What are the 4 ways to be "ready" that fall under the junior Enlisted Tier? - ✔✔- Be mentally ready
- Be physically ready
- Be Socially ready
- Be Spiritually read
What are the 4 things a NCO should do for subordinates? - ✔✔- Guide
- Train
- Instruct
- Develop
subordinates so they are technically ready to accomplish the mission and ensure they are prepared to
accept increased levels of authority and responsibility
What is a Senior NCO's primary purpose? - ✔✔Mission Accomplishment
Senior NCO's translate leaders direction into ? - ✔✔Specific tasks and responsibilities
their teams understand & execute.
Guide
1. WHAT REGULATION COVERS THE ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE? - ✔✔- AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION (AFI)
36-2618 - THE ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE.
2. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-2618? - ✔✔-Provides the general framework
for the enlisted force structure that best meets mission requirements, while developing institutional and
occupational competencies
-Defines the leadership levels, tiers, ranks, roles, terms of address, general responsibilities, duty titles
and special positions for the enlisted force
-Provides a framework for supervisors as they set standards during initial feedback sessions, evaluate
progress during mid-term feedback sessions, and document performance on annual reports
3. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HAVING A FORMAL ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE? - ✔✔- TO DEFINE THE
ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE, SPECIFY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH ENLSITED RANK WITHIN THE
STRUCTURE, AND ESTABLISH TITLE FOR EACH RANK AND TERMS OF ADDRESS FOR AIR FORCE ENLISTED
PERSONNEL. THIS INSTRUCTION ALSO ESTABLISHES MANDATORY NCO RESPONSIBILITIES.
Name and define the Air Force Leadership Levels - ✔✔Tactical Expertise - this level is predominantly
direct and face-to-face and focused on personal competencies. At this level Airmen gain a general
understanding of team leadership and appreciation for organizational leadership.
Operational Competence - At this level, Airmen understand the broader Air Force perspective and the
integration of diverse people and capabilities in operational execution.
Strategic Vision - Airmen combine highly developed personnel and people/team institutional
competencies to apply broad organizational competencies.
4. WHAT IS THE THREE TIER STRUCTURE. - ✔✔- AIRMAN TIER - CONSISTING OF AIRMAN BASIC, AIRMAN,
AIRMAN FIRST CLASS AND SENIOR AIRMAN.
- NCO TIER - STAFF SERGEANT, TECHNICAL SERGEANT
- SENIOR NCO TIER - MASTER SERGEANT, SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT, CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT.
, JUNIOR ENLISTED AIRMEN TIER - ✔✔AB, Amn, A1C, SrA
In this tier, Airmen prepare for increased responsibilities and ensure they are trained, qualified and
ready to operate, both at home and in an expeditionary environment.
NCO TIER - ✔✔SSgt, TSgt
- continue occupational growth and become expert technicians while developing as leaders, supervisors,
managers, and mentors in the profession of arms
Senior NCO Tier - ✔✔MSgt, SMSgt, CMSgt
- serve as leaders in the profession of arms, advise, supervise and mentor others to further grow and
develop junior enlisted Airmen and Noncommissioned Officers under their charge
What are the 4 ways to be "ready" that fall under the junior Enlisted Tier? - ✔✔- Be mentally ready
- Be physically ready
- Be Socially ready
- Be Spiritually read
What are the 4 things a NCO should do for subordinates? - ✔✔- Guide
- Train
- Instruct
- Develop
subordinates so they are technically ready to accomplish the mission and ensure they are prepared to
accept increased levels of authority and responsibility
What is a Senior NCO's primary purpose? - ✔✔Mission Accomplishment
Senior NCO's translate leaders direction into ? - ✔✔Specific tasks and responsibilities
their teams understand & execute.
