Technical Sergeant

A noncommissioned officer of the US Air Force, E-6 and NATO OR-6, a seasoned supervisor of workcenters.

Overview

Technical Sergeant wears five chevrons with a star device and supervises maintenance shops, flight sections, and cyber flights, responsible for equipment and people worth millions. The grade was created with the 1952 enlisted restructuring that built the independent Air Force ladder from the old Army Air Forces grades. TSgts certify as master technicians in their specialty, write evaluations, and mentor staff sergeants below them. OR-6 aligns with the Army staff sergeant and naval petty officer first class. Promotion comes through Weighted Airman Promotion System points: test scores, decorations, time in service, and performance reports, weighed against cutoffs by specialty.