Air Force Promotion Exam Postponed Amid Scrutiny of Diversity Materials
In a significant development affecting Air Force personnel, the scheduled promotion exam for technical sergeant candidates has faced delays. This decision comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s directive to review and remove diversity-related content from military materials, including the Air Force’s study guides and tests.
The testing period, originally set to start soon, will now commence on March 3 and run until May 1. This shift follows an order from President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to eliminate diversity initiatives within the military, impacting groups such as women, minority service members, and LGBTQ personnel.
Capt. Kevyn Lee-Anne Kaler, an Air Force spokesperson, stated, “This delay is to ensure we take appropriate action to evaluate testing materials, remove all [diversity, equity and inclusion-related] content in the AF Handbook and [Career Development Course] study guides, and remain consistent with the orders of our commander in chief and defense secretary.”
The extensive Air Force Handbook 1, a crucial study resource for enlisted airmen, was recently removed from the service’s website. This handbook, containing over 600 pages, has been scrutinized for its references to the Air Force’s history of diversity and inclusion, which are now subject to removal under the current administration’s policies.
Sections of the handbook, such as “Leveraging Diversity” and “Respecting Individuality,” emphasize the importance of diversity as a military necessity and highlight achievements by diverse groups, including female aviators and the Black Tuskegee Airmen. These segments are likely to be revised in accordance with the new directives.
The Air Force has indicated that revised handbooks and study guides will be available by February 18, with the promotion exam following shortly thereafter. This delay poses a challenge for airmen preparing for the exam, which could greatly impact their careers and salaries. A promotion to E-6, or technical sergeant, could raise an airman’s pay by $300 to $800 monthly, according to Military.com’s 2025 paycharts.
Despite the new study materials, the exam will still contain diversity-related questions. The Air Force has clarified that these questions are to be answered, but they will not be scored. The removal of these questions would potentially delay promotions for approximately 6,000 airmen by four months.
The recent changes are part of a broader move by the Trump administration to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the military. This includes a ban on transgender troops and the cessation of diversity goals for officer applicants, as well as cultural celebration months.
Defense Secretary Hegseth has openly criticized these initiatives, stating at a Pentagon town hall, “The single dumbest phrase in military history is ‘our diversity is our strength.'”
The ongoing adjustments reflect a significant shift in military policy, emphasizing the administration’s stance on DEI efforts.
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