Air Force Enlisted Career PathSecurity Forces Specialist

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Introduction

The purpose of this training presentation is to describe the Air Force enlisted career path as it applies to the Security Forces career field.

Introduction

It will also outline the Education & Training required to achieve appropriate skill levels, the average and earliest sew on time for enlisted rank, as well as High Year of Tenure (HYT) for each enlisted grade.

Purpose

• The CFETP guidance ensures individuals in the Security Forces specialty receives effective and efficient training at the appropriate point in their career. This plan enables supervisors to train today’s work force for tomorrows jobs!

The Career Field Education & Training Plan (CFETP)

The Career Field Education & Training Plan (CFETP) is the first part of this path. The CFETP is a comprehensive core training document that identifies life-cycle education and training requirements, training support resources as well as minimum core task requirements.

CFETP

It provides all Security Forces (SF) personnel, whether they are active-duty, Reserve, or Air National Guard, a clear career path to success during their military career.

This document outlines every duty task required to be trained, based on the skill level they are training to.

Career Field Education & Training Plan (CFETP)

Identifies at which skill level the

training is required

This is an example of the CFETP. The numbers in the first column identify the task to be trained and the second column represent the skill level.

Skill Levels

• There are four skill levels in the Air Force, however, only 2 are included in the CFETP:– 5-Level– 7-Level

• The other two, 3-Level and 9-Level, are obtained in other ways, which will be described in the following slides.

3-skill Level

• This is the initial task and knowledge training

• Lowest skill level in the Air Force

• Referred to as the Apprentice Level

3-skill Level Requirements

• Graduation from the Security Forces Academy

• Completion of distance learning course– Must be completed

within 4 months of graduation

• Results in award of 3 skill level

• Average sew-on time - Amn: 6 months in service

• A1C: 16 months in service

(Click twice for depiction of ranks)

5-skill level

• Intermediate task and knowledge training and tasks are identified in the CFETP

• More advanced than 3-skill training

• Increased responsibility

• Referred to as the Journeyman Level

5-skill level requirements

• 12 months in Upgrade Training– This is training required to

properly learn all aspects of the job

• Completion of Career Development Course

• Completion of core tasks identified in the Career Field Education Plan

• Average sew-on time:– 3 years in service

• Earliest sew-on time– 28 months in

service

(Click for depiction of rank)

7-skill level• Advanced task and knowledge training and also

identified in the CFETP

• Personnel assumes a supervisory role over 3-skill level personnel

• Becomes a trainer for personnel in lower grades

• Referred to as the Craftsman Level

7-skill level requirements

• Rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt)

• 12 Months of Upgrade Training (UGT)

• Completion of core skills tasks identified in the CFETP

• Attend resident training course called the Craftsman Course

• Average sew-on time:– 7.5ears in service

• Earliest sew-on time– 3 years in service

• HYT – 22 years in service

(Click for depiction of rank)

9-skill level• Senior Skill level – Must attain the rank of Senior

Master Sergeant (SMSgt), which is the only requirement for obtaining this skill level

• Personnel in this position are considered management

• Becomes senior leadership in a squadron

• Referred to as the Superintendent Level

9-skill level requirements

• Minimum rank of Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt)

• Must attend Senior NCO academy – located at Gunther AFB, Alabama

• Average sew-on time:– 19.2 years in

service• Earliest sew-on time

– 11 years in service• HYT – 26 years in

service

(Click for depiction of rank)

Security Forces Manager• Highest enlisted grade in

Career Field and in the Air Force

• Equal to CEO in civilian sector

• Average sew-on: 21.5 years in service

• Earliest sew-on: 14 years in service

• *HYT: 30 years of service– *High Year Tenure: Amount of

years an individual can remain in the AF at that rank

Additional AF Enlisted Grades

• There are two additional pay grades that are not directly effected by the Career Path, but are of significance:

• TSgt MSgt

• Both maintain a 7-skill level• MSgt is considered part of the “Top Three”

and the start of the management path

Career Development Courses

• Career Development Courses, or CDC’s, are the second part of the enlisted career path. These are books that contain additional information pertinent to the development of all enlisted airmen.

• CDC’s are mandatory for those preparing for either their 5-skill level or the 7-skill level.

5-level CDC• This program is completed during the 12

month Upgrade Training period.• There are 5 volumes which cover:

– Vol 1: General Security Forces Functions– Vol 2: Protecting the Installation & Resources– Vol 3: Ground Combat Skills– Vol 4: Equipment Associated with Ground

Combat Skills– Vol 5: Security Forces Weapons

7-level CDC

• These are also completed during a 12 month period

• There are 3 volumes in this set which cover:

– Vol 1: Security Forces Supervisor– Vol 2: Land Navigation and Communications– Vol 3: Equipment and Weapons Operations

Requirements for CDC Enrollment

• Airmen are required to complete one volume in 30 days

• Prior to testing, the supervisor must conduct a comprehensive review of the questions to ensure a passing score

• Enrollment is for a 12 month period, but local procedures require each volume be completed in 30-days

Testing on the CDC• For both the 5 & 7-level CDC, airmen are required

to test• First, they must complete the Unit Review

Exercises, which is open book• Next, they take the closed book Volume Review

Exercise• Lastly, after completing a comprehensive review

with their supervisor, they take the End of Course exam

• Minimum passing score is 65%, established by the Air Force

Conclusion• The Enlisted Career Path is extremely

important to the career of an airman

• Failure to maintain the level commensurate to your rank can lead to a discharge from the service

• A combination of formal school, On-The-Job training and Career Development Courses are provided to assist you in obtaining you goal

• The following is for your listening enjoyment:

Glossary of TermsThe following terms used were used during this

presentation:• 3-level – Apprentice level • 5-level – Journeyman level• 7-level – Craftsman level• Upgrade training (UGT) – Training required in order

to obtain an increased skill level• Career field education & training plan (CFETP) –

Core document outlining the career path for enlisted members

• High year of tenure (HYT) – Highest year one can stay in the military dependent on rank

The Air Force Song

Off we go, into the wild blue yonderClimbing high, into the sun;

Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,

At ‘em boys, give’er the gun!Down we dive, spouting our flame

from under,Off with one hell-uv-a roar!

We live in fame or go down in flame,Nothing‘ll stop the U.S. Air Force!

Reference

• AF Form 623, CFEPT 3P0X1/XA1/X1B, Parts I-II, dated 23 Oct 2001