Tech Sergeant Promotion Rate Rises, But Pool of Eligibles Shrinks

The promotion rate for new technical sergeants inched up over last year to 26.59 percent, but the number getting promoted declined by more than 1,200.

Promotion data released June 22 shows 6,668 Airmen selected for promotion to tech sergeant out of a pool of 25,080, for a rate of 26.59 percent. The full list of selectees will be released June 25 and senior raters will get early access June 23. 

Overall, this year’s rate is up about a point from last year’s 25.62 percent, when more than 7,800 were promoted to E-6.

Tech sergeants, the last noncommissioned officer rank before Airmen become senior NCOs, are considered technical experts capable of “fostering a positive culture of trust within the organization,” according to Air University. Airmen typically become eligible between 10 to 12 years of service.  

But the pool of Airmen eligible changes over time. Some 36,913 Airmen were eligible in 2023, nearly a third more than the number eligible this year. That led to just 14.5 percent of eligible Airmen being selected that year—the lowest rate since the post-Cold War drawdown years—and total promotions were just 5,354. 

Factors affecting promotions and rates include retention, changing personnel requirements, and external economics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, retention rose amid national economic uncertainty; later, concerns about a shortage of experience in certain jobs drove a decision to build up the number of mid-rank NCOs in uniform. Those changes combined to yield historically low promotion rates. But today, rates are back near historic highs. 

Air Force Technical Sergeant Promotions