WAPS PFE study guide
WAPS PFE · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Promotion Fitness Examination (PFE) is one of the weighted factors the Air Force uses in the Weighted Airman Promotion System to determine promotion eligibility for enlisted members competing for the next grade. Rather than testing a single specialty, the PFE samples broad professional knowledge expected of an airman preparing to assume greater supervisory and leadership responsibility. The WAPS PFE study guide has 10 sections and about 2,502 words.
01Air Force Culture and Heritage
Air Force culture rests on a documented lineage: the Aeronautical Division of the Signal Corps (1907), the Aviation Section, the Army Air Service (1918), the Army Air Corps (1926), the Army Air Forces (1941), and finally an independent service on 18 September 1947 under the National Security Act. Candidates should be able to place the Medal of Honor heritage, the role of the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots, and the evolution of the enlisted force from the first enlisted pilots to today's all-officer pilot requirement.
317 words, about 2 min02Air Force Structure and Organization
Understand the chain from the Department of Defense through the Department of the Air Force to major commands, numbered air forces, wings, groups, squadrons, and flights. The wing is the primary warfighting and support organization; the squadron is the basic unit of the force.
290 words, about 1 min03Military Standards, Discipline, and Justice
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is the foundation of military justice, supplemented by the Manual for Courts-Martial. Know the three types of courts-martial (summary, special, general) and their convening authorities and maximum punishments at a conceptual level.
270 words, about 1 min04Dress, Appearance, and Customs and Courtesies
Know the standards for wear of the uniform, grooming, and personal appearance, and the principles behind customs and courtesies: the salute, rendering honors to the flag, the national anthem, and the chain of command. Understand when the hand salute is required (indoors and outdoors, under arms, during ceremonies) and when it is not (indoors when not under arms, in formation, while carrying items that prevent it).
273 words, about 1 min05Enlisted Force Development and Career Progression
Understand the enlisted grade structure (E-1 through E-9), the roles of each tier-airman, noncommissioned officer, senior NCO, chief-and the progression mechanisms: promotion, retraining, special duty assignments, and commissioning programs. Know the significance of the Enlisted Performance Report, the role of the promotion recommendation, and the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) for promotion to E-5 through E-7.
249 words, about 1 min06Personnel and Administration Programs
Know the major personnel programs: assignments, evaluations, promotions, separations and retirements, awards and decorations, and casualty and survivor benefits. Understand the role of the Military Personnel Flight and the commander in personnel actions.
251 words, about 1 min07Health, Fitness, and Wellness Programs
Understand the physical fitness program: the fitness assessment components, minimum standards, and the consequences of failure, including remedial programs and administrative action. Know the health programs-medical readiness, dental readiness, immunizations, and mental health resources-and the wellness pillars of nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
216 words, about 1 min08Financial Management and Entitlements
Know the core pay and entitlements: basic pay, basic allowance for housing, basic allowance for subsistence, special and incentive pays, and the tax treatment of each. Understand permanent change of station entitlements, temporary duty per diem, and the leave and earnings statement.
221 words, about 1 min09Leadership, Supervision, and Team Management
Understand the difference between leadership and management, the levels of leadership (direct, organizational, strategic), and the competencies expected at each. Know the concepts of followership, mission command, and the role of feedback and counseling in supervision.
209 words, about 1 min10Training, Education, and Professional Development
Know the training pipeline: basic military training, technical training, upgrade training, and specialty training, plus the role of the training office and the unit training manager. Understand professional military education at each enlisted tier, the Community College of the Air Force, and the value of credentialing and civilian education.
206 words, about 1 min