JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland hosted a Senior Airman Below-the-Zone (BTZ) promotion board on March 5, 2025, for airmen first class who qualified for advancement to senior airman.
Command Chief Master Sgt. Gilda Alexander, Command Chief, 502d Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio, highlights that BTZ offers Airmen who show leadership potential, outstanding performance, and dedication to promoting excellence in the Air Force the opportunity for early promotion to senior airman.
“The American people count on us to execute our mission daily. This can be challenging mentally and physically,” Alexander said. “It requires us to remember our foundation of discipline and stick to our standards as a force. This board is one example of us demonstrating the importance of standards.”
BTZ is a highly competitive program that allows a select group of airmen first class to advance six months ahead of their peers in recognition of their outstanding performance and leadership.
Airmen are nominated by their chain of command, who create selection packages based on their performance and leadership potential. During their BTZ board, members are required to march into the board room and report to the panel, where they engage with senior enlisted leaders.
Once seated, the board members introduce themselves, and the Airman is asked questions covering a wide range of topics, including Air Force knowledge, leadership, followership, and current events. The session concludes with the Airman offering closing remarks before being dismissed.
This format allows the panel to assess the Airman's abilities for attention to detail, discipline, communication, and professionalism, highlighting the standards upheld by the Department of Defense, where Airmen are expected to maintain the highest levels of professionalism.
For the member selected for promotion to Senior Airman, the BTZ promotion is more than a career advancement; it represents their dedication to promoting excellence and discipline amongst their peers and keeping the trust of the American people.