Air Force E-4 Sergeant (Buck Sergeant) (Army, training, enlisted, ROTC)

[CatwomanofV]

I was medically retired from the Air Force in 1989 at the rank of E-4 Sergeant. I think it was in 1991 or so the Air Force did away with the rank of E-4 Sergeant. Now, an E-4 is a Senior Airman-not an NCO. I am now a relic. So now when I deal with organizations that deal with vets (i.e. The V.A. USAA, etc) when they are filling in my rank they only have E-4 SRA on their forms with no other option. I know it sounds very petty but it really bothers me. I feel that I am being demoted. I earned my star and my NCO status. I have talked to people in these organizations to try to educate them that there is another option there. I'm sure they will not reprogram their computer forms to accommodate the handful of us who do exist-at least I THINK there are more than just me.


Are there any other AF Buck Sergeants out there and if so, have you also experienced the same thing? Or am I the only relic.



Cat

[jeffdoorgunner]

Originally Posted by CatwomanofV

I was medically retired from the Air Force in 1989 at the rank of E-4 Sergeant. I think it was in 1991 or so the Air Force did away with the rank of E-4 Sergeant. Now, an E-4 is a Senior Airman-not an NCO. I am now a relic. So now when I deal with organizations that deal with vets (i.e. The V.A. USAA, etc) when they are filling in my rank they only have E-4 SRA on their forms with no other option. I know it sounds very petty but it really bothers me. I feel that I am being demoted. I earned my star and my NCO status. I have talked to people in these organizations to try to educate them that there is another option there. I'm sure they will not reprogram their computer forms to accommodate the handful of us who do exist-at least I THINK there are more than just me.


Are there any other AF Buck Sergeants out there and if so, have you also experienced the same thing? Or am I the only relic.



Cat

"buck" sergeant in the army is E-5. thought it was the same in all branches..........

[Steve Bagu]

I have been out for a very long time but do believe todays thinking is to reduce the NCO status while giving everyone a "Job Title". Senior Master Sgts are getting a boost instead of a possible Warrant Commission. Even they are getting a b oost instead of going to a 2nd Lt. All this is from my reading posts so I could be wrong.

Many Capts with about 12 yrs in time ae being phased out making room for the NEW 2nd Lt's from the Academy.

The day for the Military to be a career is History and people are being used as fodder and thrown out when not needed.

[SluggoF16]

Originally Posted by jeffdoorgunner

"buck" sergeant in the army is E-5. thought it was the same in all branches..........

In 1991 the split E-4 rank became one rank, Senior Airman (SrA). Prior to that there were two E-4 ranks, Sergeant (Sgt) and SrA. It's like the Army's E-4 Specialist and Corporal, the Sgt was laterally promoted to NCO status while not yet ready to assume E-5 Staff Sergeant (SSgt) rank and responsibilities.

I work with a guy who was enlisted Air Force and was a SSgt while undergoing training at an Army base. His rank as an E-5 "Staff Sergeant" was confusing to the Army who thought he was an E-6.

I do empathize with the OP... he worked hard to achieve NCO status and now it's forgotten.

[Robert20170]

I was an Air Force E-4 Sergeant when I hit my ETS. It shows "SGT" on my DD-214. I really don't care about what options I have on sites like that, because I don't bother with any of them. I think it's cool that I was one of the last since I got out in '87. I still have my blues with the highlighted star rather than subdued within my three stripes.

I'm guessing there aren't a ton of us OP. To be honest, if an airman got out right at 4 years they never put the sergeant stripes on unless they made below the zone or were an E-2 or E-3 out of basic due to education and/or high school ROTC. The only reason I put it on before getting out was because I had to extend my enlistment by 4 months to be transferred state side after three years in Germany, so my total time in service was 4 years and 4 months.

[Taiko]

Originally Posted by Steve Bagu

I have been out for a very long time but do believe todays thinking is to reduce the NCO status while giving everyone a "Job Title". Senior Master Sgts are getting a boost instead of a possible Warrant Commission. Even they are getting a b oost instead of going to a 2nd Lt. All this is from my reading posts so I could be wrong.

Many Capts with about 12 yrs in time ae being phased out making room for the NEW 2nd Lt's from the Academy.

The day for the Military to be a career is History and people are being used as fodder and thrown out when not needed.

There is nothing new about up or out, its been going on since the Korean War when the WWII force was finally integrated, back into their permanent ranks instead of the war brevets into a permanent post war sized service

[AV8n]

I left the AF in 1997 as a SrA, but all correspondence from the AF and VA since then had me listed as Sgt. Although, it's been a while since they sent me anything.

[CatwomanofV]

Originally Posted by SluggoF16

In 1991 the split E-4 rank became one rank, Senior Airman (SrA). Prior to that there were two E-4 ranks, Sergeant (Sgt) and SrA. It's like the Army's E-4 Specialist and Corporal, the Sgt was laterally promoted to NCO status while not yet ready to assume E-5 Staff Sergeant (SSgt) rank and responsibilities.

I work with a guy who was enlisted Air Force and was a SSgt while undergoing training at an Army base. His rank as an E-5 "Staff Sergeant" was confusing to the Army who thought he was an E-6.

I do empathize with the OP... he worked hard to achieve NCO status and now it's forgotten.

Um...that should read "SHE worked hard"...



Cat

[SluggoF16]

Originally Posted by CatwomanofV

Um...that should read "SHE worked hard"...



Cat

My deepest, sincere apologies. RTFP. "Read the, uh, FULL post"

[KS1947]

I am an old relic too.