New master sergeants may be notified by the third week of July 2020, in time to sew on their rank by Aug. 1, according to the Air Force Personnel Center. (U.S. Air Force/Stars and Stripes illustration)
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The Air Force tentatively plans to name its new master sergeants next month, announcements delayed for months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
New master sergeants may be notified by the third week of July, in time to sew on their rank by Aug. 1, the date they traditionally do so, according to emails from the Air Force Personnel Center in San Antonio shared with Stars and Stripes.
Tech. Sgt. Matt Davis, who works in public affairs for 7th Air Force at Osan Air Base, South Korea, is eligible for promotion and has a good shot of picking up master sergeant, he said by phone Tuesday.
He said moving ahead with promotions is one way to get the Air Force back on track in the wake of coronavirus restrictions, such as those that have delayed airmen and their families moving to new duty stations.
“It’s going to be great for me and my family because we have been waiting awhile,” Davis said.
The master sergeant promotion board began meeting June 1. It was unable to meet March 23 as originally scheduled thanks to movement restrictions imposed by the Defense Department to curb the coronavirus’ spread.
The July time frame for announcing the promotions is tentative, according to email from Chief Master Sgt. Dan Hoglund at the personnel center. He said he will make an announcement when the dates are locked-in or changed.
Also, airmen anticipating a promotion to technical sergeant or staff sergeant may be notified by the second week of September, according to the personnel center email.
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