WAPS PFE cheat sheet

The Air Force became a separate service on 18 September 1947 under the National Security Act.

The Air Force Song is officially titled 'The U.S. Air Force' and was written by Robert Crawford in 1939.

The Air Force Core Values are Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

The Air Force flag displays the coat of arms and crest on a blue background; ultramarine blue is the service color.

The Air Force Memorial, dedicated in 2006, is located in Arlington, Virginia.

The Hap Arnold emblem is a five-star symbol honoring General Henry H. 'Hap' Arnold, the only five-star general of the Air Force.

The Air Force's birthday is celebrated on 18 September each year.

The three spires of the Air Force Memorial represent the missing man formation and the core values.

The Air Force chain of command runs from the President through the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff.

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and reports to the Secretary of the Air Force.

MAJCOMs (Major Commands) are directly subordinate to Headquarters Air Force and are led by four-star generals.

Numbered Air Forces (NAFs) are subordinate to MAJCOMs and are typically led by lieutenant generals or major generals.

Wings are the primary operational units, usually commanded by a colonel, and consist of groups, squadrons, and flights.

Squadrons are the basic fighting units of the Air Force, commanded by a lieutenant colonel or major.

The Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard are reserve components; the Air National Guard is jointly administered by state governors and the federal government.

A wing typically includes an operations group, maintenance group, mission support group, and medical group.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) applies to all active duty, reserve, and guard members on duty; punitive articles are in Subchapter 10.

Article 15 (nonjudicial punishment) allows commanders to impose punishment for minor offenses without a court-martial.

Article 15 punishments for officers and enlisted vary by grade; for enlisted, maximum includes reduction, forfeiture of pay, and restriction.

A court-martial is classified as summary, special, or general; a general court-martial is for the most serious offenses and can impose the death penalty.

The three types of discharges are honorable, general (under honorable conditions), and other than honorable; bad conduct and dishonorable discharges are punitive.

The Military Whistleblower Protection Act (10 U.S.C. § 1034) prohibits reprisal for communicating with a Member of Congress or IG.

The Inspector General (IG) investigates complaints of reprisal, fraud, waste, and abuse; IG complaints can be filed without going through the chain of command.

Nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 is not a criminal conviction and does not result in a federal conviction.

The Air Force uniform regulation is AFI 36-2903, which governs dress and personal appearance.

Enlisted airmen wear chevrons on the sleeves; officer rank is indicated by shoulder or sleeve insignia.

The salute is rendered with the right hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing down, upper arm horizontal.

When in uniform and outdoors, salute all commissioned officers and warrant officers; when in civilian clothes, do not salute.

The flag is hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously; during retreat, salute when the flag is lowered.

The Air Force birthday ball and dining-in/dining-out are formal social functions governed by customs and traditions.

Hair standards for male airmen: hair will not exceed 1¼ inches in bulk, ¼ inch at the natural termination point, and will not touch the ears or collar.

Female airmen may wear hair in a bun, ponytail, or braid; hair may extend below the collar but must be secured and not exceed bulk standards.

The Enlisted Force Structure is divided into three tiers: Junior Enlisted (E-1 to E-4), Noncommissioned Officers (E-5 to E-6), and Senior Noncommissioned Officers (E-7 to E-9).

Promotion to E-5 and E-6 is competitive and based on the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS), which includes knowledge, performance, and time-in-grade factors.

The WAPS factors include Specialty Knowledge Test (SKT), Promotion Fitness Examination (PFE), time in grade, time in service, decorations, and performance reports.

Promotion to E-7 through E-9 is based on a central selection board that reviews performance records and leadership potential.

The Air Force Enlisted Force Development (AFEFD) framework emphasizes leadership, followership, and joint warfighting competencies.

Career Development Courses (CDCs) are required for upgrade training in many AFSCs and must be completed within a specified time.

The 5-skill level indicates an apprentice; the 7-skill level indicates a craftsman; the 9-skill level indicates a superintendent.

Retraining and cross-training opportunities are available through the retraining program, subject to eligibility and needs of the Air Force.

The Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) manages assignments, promotions, and separations for active duty members.

The Virtual Military Personnel Flight (vMPF) is a self-service portal for updating personal information and reviewing records.

The Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) is used for airmen in grades E-5 through E-8; officers use the Officer Performance Report (OPR).

The Air Force Evaluation System uses the Airman Comprehensive Assessment (ACA) for feedback and development.

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) supports families with special needs and is mandatory for identification and enrollment.

The Assignment Management System (AMS) allows airmen to view and apply for assignment openings.

The Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR) hears requests to correct errors or injustices in military records.

The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is an annuity program for retired military members to provide for survivors.

The Air Force Fitness Assessment consists of four components: aerobic fitness (1.5-mile run), muscular strength (push-ups and sit-ups), and abdominal circumference.

Fitness scores are categorized as Excellent (90-100), Satisfactory (75-89.9), and Unsatisfactory (<75).

Airmen must maintain a current fitness assessment; failure can result in administrative action and mandatory exercise.

The Air Force Wellness Program includes physical fitness, nutrition, stress management, and tobacco cessation.

The Air Force Drug Demand Reduction Program (DDRP) includes random urinalysis testing; positive results can lead to separation.

Mental health services are available through the Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) program and chaplains; confidentiality varies.

The Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) program supports seriously wounded, ill, and injured airmen and their families.

TRICARE is the health care program for uniformed services members and families; Prime and Select are common options.

Basic Pay is determined by pay grade and years of service; it is subject to federal income tax.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is tax-free and based on duty station, pay grade, and dependency status.

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is a tax-free monthly allowance for food; officers and enlisted receive different rates.

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement savings plan with traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) options; the Blended Retirement System (BRS) includes automatic and matching contributions.

The Blended Retirement System (BRS) applies to members who entered on or after 1 January 2018; it includes a 2% automatic contribution and up to 5% matching.

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and Post-9/11 GI Bill provide education benefits; the Post-9/11 GI Bill can transfer to dependents under certain conditions.

The Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides low-cost term life insurance; coverage is automatically enrolled at $500,000 unless reduced.

Leave is accrued at 2.5 days per month; members can carry over up to 60 days of leave to the next fiscal year.

The Air Force leadership model includes the Core Values, the Airman's Creed, and the Leadership Qualities (e.g., integrity, loyalty, commitment).

Situational leadership theory (Hersey-Blanchard) involves directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating based on follower readiness.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs (physiological, safety, social, esteem, self-actualization) is a motivation model used in leadership training.

The five levels of leadership (John Maxwell) are position, permission, production, people development, and pinnacle.

Feedback should be timely, specific, and focused on behavior; the ACA process includes self-assessment, rater assessment, and feedback.

The Air Force emphasizes 'mission command' - decentralized execution based on centralized intent.

A supervisor's responsibilities include training, counseling, evaluating, and ensuring the well-being of subordinates.

Team building involves establishing trust, communication, and shared goals; the stages of team development are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.

Air Force professional military education (PME) includes Airman Leadership School (ALS) for E-4 and E-5, NCO Academy for E-6, and Senior NCO Academy for E-7 and E-8.

ALS is required for promotion to E-5; completion is mandatory for eligibility.

The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) awards associate degrees to enlisted members in technical fields.

The Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) program pays up to 100% of tuition for eligible courses, capped at $250 per semester hour and $4,500 per fiscal year.

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) provides graduate education and research for officers and enlisted members.

The Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2) prepares enlisted members for medical school.

The Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) are commissioning sources.

On-the-job training (OJT) and upgrade training are documented in the Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP).