Big change to Air Force promotion study materials

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Todd Wivell
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The Air Force announced a major change to the materials enlisted members use for reference and studying for promotion. The new guide, called the Professional Development Guide, replaced both the Promotion Fitness Examination and the U.S. Air Force Supervisory Examination Study Guides - officially known as Volumes 1 and 2 of Air Force Pamphlet 36-2241 respectively. 

The PDG was released April 16 across the Air Force and will be completely different from its previous editions. The effective date will be July 1. 

All ranks will receive the same pamphlet; those testing for promotion in the ranks of senior airman through technical sergeant will stop at designated areas within the pamphlet. Master sergeants and above will have to study the entire pamphlet. 

"I believe there will be a delay in Ellsworth receiving all their copies," said Master Sgt. Jason Kreutzer, 28th Bomb Wing career assistance advisor. "However, I believe there will be enough time for senior master sergeants to receive the new PDG and study, since they will be the first ones to test over it in September." 

"The Air Force will save valuable resources by producing one book rather than two," said Master Sgt. Martin Clark, 28th Comptroller Squadron first sergeant. "I think it will contain the same content as the previous version but will be easier to access and be used as a reference tool between enlisted levels." 

The new PDG will be arriving through the Traffic Management Office here; the superintendents of each group have a distribution plan in place, according to Sergeant Kreutzer. Those eligible for promotion to the rank of senior master sergeant will receive their copies first and then master sergeant eligible and so on. 

An added feature to this release is MP3 files downloadable from the Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron web site at https://www.omsq.af.mil/pd/ and tentatively scheduled for a release date of June 1. 

"As the career assistance advisor, I will send out a message and instructions when they are released," said Sergeant Kreutzer. 

"I think the MP3 files will be a great benefit for members in a mobile environment and will allow users a new avenue for studying," said Sergeant Clark. "Users will now be able to do physical training and study at the same time. They could also connect an MP3 player to their car's audio system and study while traveling." 

"This is probably just the tip of the iceberg and I am sure there will be more advances in this arena," Sergeant Clark said. 

"I feel it is great that the Air Force is keeping up with the technology of today," said Sergeant Kreutzer. 

According to AFOMS those currently testing for promotion will still use the 2005 edition of the pamphlet. The first Airmen to use the PDG are senior master sergeants testing for chief master sergeant. 

Those who do not get their pamphlet can access the AFOMS web site for an electronic version. 

"I believe this change is a positive adjustment to the pamphlet and should have a positive effect for those preparing to study for promotion," said Sergeant Clark. 

Information contributed by: Master Sgt. Jon Hanson, Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs