Posted Thu 08 October 2009 12:14 PM
I was in the Air Guard from 83-89. I got out of there as an E-4, mainly because it was a security police unit, overstaffed and to make Staff, 20 people would of had to quit or keel over, so there was no room back then. I made E-4 in about '85.
In 2000, I went into an Army guard unit for one year, again E-4 (This was the Army Guard's one year try it deal). I got out after one year, Army's not for me.
Ok, in 2008(April) I went into the Air Reserve for a 3 year deal. Since then i have completed all training tasks and obtained my 5 level. My feeling is and what the recruiter said is I should be promotable at this time for Staff but my unit training manager says I need to wait 12 months from April '09.
What is everyone's take or knowledge on this? I have more then enough time in grade and probably should be Tech by now. At 45 I'm the oldets E-4 in the unit, probably the wing!
I thought promotions, if available (and they are here) was considered by time in grade. Even for arguments sake it's not, I've completed all the training for 5 level to earn Staff. Is there anyone that can point me in the right direction, or give me a place to review the regs on this? 5 years at E-4 is a long time.
Thanks.

Welcome to my world! Make SURE you have your 5 level. If you do your being told BS. I was active duty, was out for 20 years and went back in (reserves) as an E-4 (SrA which REALLY sucked, I was a Buck Sgt). Since I was out for so long I lost my 5 level and even though I stayed in my career field as a civilian, they would not approve a waiver so I had to start all over. Tech school, CDC's, NCO Leadership, the whole nine.
The problem is you can get everything done but you have to have so much time in training to get your 5 level. My career field is 9 months for retrainees and 15 for non-retrainees. You can't make E-5 until you get your 5-level and you cant get your 5-level without the time in training. TIS and TIG don't matter until then. If you have a cool commander you'll sew on as soon as you're eligable.
Don't feel bad. I was a 47 year old SrA with a masters degree. Hang in there it'll happen! Good Luck

You can't believe what a recruiter tells you when it comes to training and promotion. No offense to recruiters, they mean well and tell you what they think is right, but most often they don't know the specifics on things in a lot of AFSCs.

A year after getting your 5 level sounds about right though. You also need the NCO Prep if you haven't had it (course 001 I think) and possibly a supervisor safety course.

Now I don't feel so bad since I'm 43 and just sewed on TSgt last year. I had an 11 year break but came back into the ANG a SSgt 3 level (had 7 level before) in 2005. Got waived through 5 level and had to CDC again for 7 level.