The staff sergeant(SSgt) is the first level of the NCO ranks in the Air Force. The staff sergeant is considered a craftsman with specific NCO supervisory responsibilities and may hold either a 5- (journeyman) or 7- (craftsman) skill level. Additionally the SSgt must strive continuously to ...
Airmen are normally awarded the "5" (journeyman) skill level after a period of on-the-job training and correspondence courses, or CDCs. Depending on the job, this process can last anywhere between 12 and 18 months. Staff Sergeant and Craftsman Skill Levels Upon promotion to Staff Sergeant, ...