How is eligibility date for promotion to E5 determined?

• A. By meeting minimum time-in-service/time-in-grade requirements and meeting all other eligibility criteria in the AF promotion system.
• B. By random selection among airmen.
• C. By supervisor's subjective rating alone.
• D. By civilian education level only.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that you become eligible to compete for E5 only after you satisfy all the AF’s required criteria, not just one factor. Specifically, you must meet the minimum time-in-service and time-in-grade requirements, and you must also satisfy all other eligibility criteria the Air Force uses in the promotion system. Time-in-service is how long you’ve been in the Air Force overall, while time-in-grade is how long you’ve been at your current rank. Once you’ve reached these minimums and completed any additional prerequisites (such as PME completion, fitness standards, and no disqualifying actions), the date when you fulfill everything becomes your eligibility date. From that date, you’re eligible to be considered in the current promotion cycle, with actual promotion depending on the cycle’s slots and your WAPS score. The other options—random selection, a supervisor’s rating alone, or civilian education level alone—do not determine eligibility.