Air Force announces change to promotion study materials

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jon Hanson
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
The Air Force made major changes to the materials enlisted members use for reference and studying for promotion. The new guide, called the Professional Development Guide, replaces both the Promotion Fitness Examination and U.S. Air Force Supervisory Examination Study Guides -- officially known as Volumes 1 and 2 of Air Force Pamphlet 36-2241 respectively.

The PDG is being released April 16 across the Air Force and is different from the previous editions.

"All ranks will receive the same pamphlet, still named AFP 36-2241," said Master Sgt. Tamala Creviston, superintendent of the professional development flight with the Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron. "Airmen testing for promotion in the ranks of senior airman through technical sergeant will stop at designated areas in certain chapters and proceed to the next chapter. Master sergeants and senior master sergeants will have to study the entire pamphlet."

Although not in the PDG, an added feature is MP3 files downloadable from the AFOMS Web site, available June 1.

The single guide was renamed because many people use it as a desktop reference.

"Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (Rodney J.) McKinley wanted the name to more accurately reflect its daily purpose to enhance and guide the growth of our Airmen today for tomorrow," Sergeant Creviston said. "Our young Airmen have the opportunity to delve into the PDG and learn for themselves where to go to get answers on anything from dress and appearance to the leave program. The PDG references them to Air Force instructions as the true source of policy.

"Supervisors should encourage Airmen to use the PDG as a starting point for finding information, since this is where professional growth begins," she said. "However, the PDG's primary purpose, as a hard-copy pamphlet, is as a study reference for promotion testing for senior airmen through senior master sergeants."

It is up to each unit Weighted Airmen Promotion System monitor to release the PDG. Senior master sergeants will receive it first because they are first to test for promotion. Master sergeants are next, then technical sergeants and below until all enlisted Airmen receive a copy.

The PDG's effective date is July 1.

"Please remember though, there are still Airmen testing for promotion and we do not want to confuse anyone with which AFPAM 36-2241 to study," Sergeant Creviston said. "They still use the 2005 edition. The first Airmen to use the PDG to test are senior master sergeants testing for chief," she said. "If for some reason you do not get your copy April 16, you can access the AFOMS Web site for an electronic version at https://www.omsq.af.mil/pd/."

"Since updating the PDG is a never-ending process, Airmen in the field can submit feedback to the professional development team at any time," Sergeant Creviston said. "Ideas and suggestions that come after publication are incorporated into the next edition."

Airmen can e-mail feedback, suggestions or changes to the PDG at pfesg@randolph.af.mil.