SubscribeAir Force Chain of Command
As with all elements of the forces, there is more to command than just rank. This brief article will explain the rank structure in detail, but command status (the relationship of one airman to another) is something that is more often than not, unit specific.The enlisted ranks of the Air Force are not to be confused with the pay grades (E-1 to E-9). The pay grades may have more than one grading in any one particular rank as some airmen will have different specializations.
The ranks are: Airman, Airman First Class, Senior Airman, Staff Sergeant, Technical Sergeant, Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Senior Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant, Command Chief Master Sergeant, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.
The officer ranks are different, as they are actually the holders of presidential commissions, which are confirmed by the Senate. The pay grades of officers are O-1 to O-7 and beyond. O-1 to O-3 are company grade officers, O-4 and O-6 are field grade officers, and O-7 and higher are general officers.
The ranks are: Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General, and General of the Air Force.
The actual command status of one person to another is much more like the ‘line management’ system of a commercial company. Although one officer or airman may be senior to another, it does not actually mean that they command them. If there is an important order to be given then it should be referred to that person’s chain of command.
The commanding officer of a unit is the person that commands all those in the unit and as such they are in all his/her chain of command. The chain of command is that which is the authority for the giving of orders and the carrying out of disciplinary or administrative remedial action should an individual not perform up to the standards required of them. The chain of command is also the person that will write the report on the airman, and that is what will control their future positions.
A person’s chain of command may not always be straight forward and it is important to understand one’s chain of command when one starts in a new post, but it is equally important to understand the chain of command of those you are working with.
