The United States Air Force has acknowledged a human error in this year's technical sergeant selection process, which led to the revocation of 135 promotions and the re-awarding of those slots to other troops who rightfully earned them.
The error, which occurred in the service's security forces career field, resulted from the use of an outdated test answer key on the Specialty Knowledge Test. Officials rescored all 2,285 eligible airmen and determined that 451 previously selected airmen would keep their promotions, while 135 others no longer met the cutoff score.
Another 135 airmen who were initially passed over will instead receive the promotions after officials rescored every eligible test. The Air Force has verified the correct answer key with subject matter experts and is taking steps to prevent a similar mistake in future promotion cycles.
The error was discovered after the promotion list was released, and an enlisted promotions team member at the Air Force Personnel Center identified the outdated scoring key. Officials described the mistake as an isolated and unprecedented human error, adding that no other Air Force specialty codes were affected.
The Air Force has tightened its review process and is examining the circumstances surrounding the error. Leaders are notifying affected airmen directly and have set up a hotline to answer questions.
The Air Force said it promotes airmen based on merit, established in federal law and policy. The mistake has prompted leaders to emphasize the importance of integrity in the meritocratic promotion system.
The Air Force Personnel Center plans to announce the 135 newly selected technical sergeants in a supplemental promotion release during the week of July 13. The new selectees will receive adjusted line numbers that will not affect when they are promoted.
