Air Force Tips
When it comes to Air Force, we've been there, done that, now serving 58 tips in 6 categories ranging from Acronyms to Training.
SrA
SrA is the United States Air Force abbreviation for the rank of Senior Airman. A senior airman is a junior enlisted person serving in the pay grade of E-4. A senior airman is still learning to be an expert in their career field, and preparing to make the transition from junior enlisted member to non-commissioned officer. The senior airman should be taking on additional responsibilities, showing leadership capabilities and completing the required courses and professional military education needed to promote to staff sergeant (E-5).
The requirements for promotion to senior airman are at least 36 months total time in service and 20 months time in grade as an airman first class, OR 28 months total time in grade as an airman first class, whichever happens first. The distinction is made for those who come into the military at an advanced rank due to college credits, experience or other enlistment incentives.
AB
AB is the abbreviation for the rank of Airman Basic in the United States Air Force. An Airman Basic is a junior enlisted member serving in the pay grade of E-1, the lowest military pay grade. Most members of the Air Force enter military service as an Airman Basic, however, some recruits with college credits or other incentives may enlist at a higher rank. An Airman Basic is focused upon learning and adapting to military culture, and learning what is expected of them as an airman.
Most members will be an Airman Basic during their basic military training and technical training for their job. Depending upon the length of technical training, some airmen may promote to E-2 during technical training. The time in service/time in grade requirement for promotion to E-2 is six months.
AMN
AMN or Amn, is the abbreviation for the rank of Airman in the United States Air Force. An Airman is a junior enlisted member serving in the pay grade of E-2. Many Air Force members will promote to Airman during their technical training, or at their first duty station, depending upon how long their technical training is. An Airman is still learning and adapting to the military profession and their particular job in the Air Force. Some members may enter the Air Force as an Airman, depending on how many college credits they have completed and what enlistment incentives they take advantage of. Those who enter the Air Force as an Airman Basic (E-1) must have at least six months time in grade/time in service to promote to Airman (E-2).
SM
SM is the abbreviation for the term "Service Member" in the United States Air Force and other branches of the military. While this acronym can be used in all areas of the Air Force, it is most commonly seen in medical records, finance records and some personnel records. SM means any service member, male or female, officer or enlisted. This acronym is most often used as short-hand when a service provider is recounting a conversation, details of a visit with an airman or officer, adding information to a military member's medical record, or writing a narrative of an issue or problem. When transcribed into a typed record or into a computer database, the acronym may either be left as-is, or spelled out.
BW
BW is the United States Air Force acronym for Bomb Wing. Currently, Air Force bomb wings fly the B-1, B-2 or B-52 bombers. A bomb wing typically has at least one operations squadron that handles flying missions. The wing also has support squadrons as deemed necessary to perform the unit's mission. These support units include a headquarters squadron, medical, personnel, finance and other units as needed.
As of 2012, there are currently seven wings designated specifically as "Bomb Wings" in the United States Air Force. Six of these wings are active-duty units, while one wing is an Air National Guard unit. These units fall under the control of the Strategic Air Command Major Command (MAJCOM).
AOR
The acronym "AOR" stands for a military Area of Responsibility. An AOR is used mostly in a wartime context. It refers to the division of geographic regions in a location. Each region has a specific combatant commander assigned to command and direct operations in that location. The commander is responsible for air, ground and sea missions and support operations, as well as personnel assigned to that particular command. Combatant commanders have authority over all military personnel under their command, regardless of branch of service. Areas of Responsibility are established by the President of the United States. This information is contained in the U.S. Unified Command Plan (UCP). The latest version of the UCP was published on December 17, 2008. It names each command's AOR and establishes boundaries of each.
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