News

Testing under the Weighted Airman’s Promotion System program

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Bowlan
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  Testing under the Weighted Airman's Promotion System can be stressful if Airmen do not take the time to prepare for the tests and plan for success. Although the unit training manager and the Military Personnel Flight are great resources to help understand the WAPS program, it is a personal responsibility to make sure Airmen know when they are eligible to test and which study references to use while competing under the WAPS program. With the help of the 14th Flying Training Wing MPF personnel, here are a few tips geared towards having a successful testing cycle.

WAPS Testing Tips:

· Share the test date and time with supervisor, family and friends so they can help remind you of your test date and time.
· Do a dry run several days before the test date...meaning, go to the building and room to know exactly where it is.
· Double check the show time the day before the test.
· Have two or three ways of waking up time to make it to the testing room (Battery powered alarm clock or ask your supervisor to call you early)
· The day before you test make sure you have your ID card with you and not in your CSC reader.
· Make sure your uniform is ready.
· Make sure your car is fueled up and working properly.
· Don't be late for the day of your test. Don't plan on arriving at the start time. Your watch may not be matched up with the testing room clock.
· Plan on arriving a minimum of 15 minutes early.
· Make sure you have your ID card with you.

Additionally, if an Airman is too ill to test, go the testing room before the test time and tell the test proctor and go to the hospital. Simply not showing because they weren't feeling well without getting checked out is not acceptable. Remember, WAPS testing is an individual responsibility. It's great to have friends to help but, the responsibility for preparing and getting to the testing room is on the tester. The upcoming testing cycles are as follows:
08E8 (Senior Master Sgt.) Dec. 3 - 14 2007

08E6/7 (Tech./ Master Sgt.) Feb. 15 - March 31 2008

08E5 (Staff Sgt) May 2008

08E9 (Chief Master Sgt) September 2008
On a final note from the MPF personnel, please tell them how they are doing by completing the MPF customer critique at https://columbusweb/msg/MSSWEB/MPF/cssurveyform.htm.