Senior Service School Timing for Air Force Officers

Initial study of the relationship of in-residence Air War College (AWC) completion to promotion success was accomplished in 1975, and subsequently updated in 1984. The focus of this study is to revalidate the promotion trend cited in the 1984 study and to examine the importance of attendance timing for Air Force officers to Senior Service School (SSS). Sources used in preparation of this study includes officer cohort and promotion files for 1984-1995, as well as a review of officer utilization policy from the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC), Headquarters USAF, the Office for Colonel Matters, and AWC. Personal interviews and surveys were used to glean current issues, concerns, and recommendations from senior leaders and major command (MAJCOM) personnel officers throughout the Air Force. Analysis of promotion statistics concludes that while the promotion rates among the Senior Service Schools are not at parity, they have leveled somewhat from the analysis done in the 1984 study. Additionally, this study discusses the current trend of sending more junior lieutenant colonels to SSS shortly after ISS completion and before they have had the opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience. These officers, their classmates, and the Air Force would be better served by modifying the SSS selection process to facilitate in-residence attendance later in an officer's career without negatively affecting promotion opportunities.