The U.S. Air Force plans to implement a new promotion system to enable space, nuclear missiles and cybersecurity personnel to take on higher positions across the service, Space News reported Thursday.Â
The promotion system will designate officers in the categories of air operations and special warfare, nuclear and missile operations, space operations, information warfare, combat support and force modernization. To date, only Air Force lawyers, chaplains and medical professional can compete for promotions within their categories.Â
Air Force Secretary and 2019 Wash100 Award winner Heather Wilson said the service is changing its promotion guidelines for mid-grade officers in an effort to bring more talent to areas of expertise with growing demands. Wilson said the service already spent 18 months reviewing the proposed system and plans to announce a final decision in October.
“This is a really big change,†she said. “We’re going to take it out to the force, get a lot of input, post on it, blog on it, comment on it.â€Â
Wilson is expected to leave Air Force leadership on May 31 to serve as president of the University of Texas El Paso.Â
