The Air Force is revoking the promotion of 135 technical sergeants after a typo
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The Army on Monday acknowledged a human error involving an out-of-date test answer key tainted this year's selection process for career sergeants, forcing officials to rescind 135 promotions and give other soldiers those opportunities accordingly.
The error affected only the security forces career field, where officials found all 2,285 eligible Airmen after finding an expired passcode was used on the Special Knowledge Test.
“We owe it to those affected to fix it quickly,” Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David R. Wolfe said in a statement. “This is going to be difficult for everyone involved.”
After returning all 2,285 eligible Airmen, the Air Force determined that 451 previously selected Airmen would retain their promotions while another 135 no longer met the cutoff score. Another 135 Airmen who initially passed will receive a promotion after officials receive all the necessary tests.
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Two pilot watch as US Air Force Thunderbirds hover over March Air Reserve Base in Riverside on Friday, April 21, 2023 in preparation for the 2023 Southern California Air Show. (MediaNews Group via Getty Images)
Air Force officials said the error was discovered after the promotion list was released and a member of the promotion team at the Air Force Personnel Center identified an expired call key. Officials described the error as an isolated and unprecedented human error, adding that no other Air Force special codes were affected.
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Officials said they are confirming the correct answer key from subject experts before rewriting all the relevant exams. The total number of promotions did not change, remaining at 586.
“We motivate Airmen based on respect, established in law and federal policy,” said Lt. Gen. Jefferson O'Donnell, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for personnel, personnel and services, in a statement. “Who we are as an Air Force, defined by our core values, requires integrity in the right promotion process.”
US Airmen watch an Air Force F-35 Lightning II jet approach for the first time on July 14, 2011 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. (Samuel King Jr./US Air Force)
The Air Force Personnel Center plans to announce 135 newly selected technical sergeants in additional promotion exemptions during the week of July 13. Officials said those selected will receive adjusted rank numbers that will not affect their promotion.
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The Air Force said it has strengthened its review process and is examining how the error occurred to prevent a similar error in future promotion cycles. Leaders notify affected Airmen directly and establish a hotline to answer questions.
Officials said the error was caused by human error, not artificial intelligence.
