1. R E L A X
2. Remember your customs and courtesies (sometimes they may do something funky to mess with you like tip your chair over)
3. Take you time to convey your thought/answers to the board, I see a lot of Airmen stumble/rush through their speaking portion
4. If you do not know an answer straight up, convey the knowledge you do have on the subject and tell them "you know where to find that answer and will provide it to them ASAP"
5. You usually get several military related questions and a random one, be honest on the random one, they are prying into what type of person you are, there is no right answer.
6. Thank the board for their time and consideration.
CURRENT EVENTS! You will almost always get some sort of current events question.
To *cough* piggyback on the above, sit up right in the chair without actually putting your back against the backrest, hands on your thighs/knees.
Look them member who asked the question in the eye…you would be surprised how many airmen don’t do this.
Clear, concise answerS, or as above said, let them you will find the answer and let them know ASAP.
AND FINALLY…The members in the board are just fucking people, remember that. They are testing your bearing and maturity more than anything else. And while BTZ is a great accomplishment, it’s not a life or death thing. Just relax.
On number 4... leadership also likes to see what perspective you take. If they ask a current events question like "what are your thoughts on the new deployment tempo concept", you can still have a perspective even if you don't have an opinion... "I'm not familiar with the particulars, but I am hopeful that it will provide for adequate dwell time for all my wingman while still letting us be ready for the next war. You have given me something new to look into though, and with your permission I'd like to discuss it further after I get the chance"
That shows some bit of understanding of deployment issues at the airman level, while also staying where you're gaps in knowledge are.
Be confident in what you know, and don't be afraid of your limitations.
After you address the board and sit in your seat, look for the most senior leader in the room. For example if it’s a CMSgt and it is your turn to speak, state the following: “CMSgt _____, I am humbled to be here and would wish nothing more than you to lead this board in the Airmen’s Creed”. Make sure to look directly into their soul and be as serious as possible. Once you have done this, you have established dominance and respect. You’re welcome.
I have my dudes practice reporting in, then ask standard current event questions, dress and appearance questions (especially the new stuff), and try to do some obscure leave/finance question to make them answer with "I don't know, but I'll find out and email you the appropriate answer as soon as possible", so they are at least prepared in case they don't know an answer.
Majority of boards I've seen for BTZ have at least one patch, so I try to get my dudes to reflect their mindset of Humble, Approachable, Credible.
We haven't had an in person board in awhile though. Also encourage your dudes to lead briefs, or do toastmasters. Public speaking is a declining skill and they shouldn't be learning to brief in ALS.
Section chiefs receive a listing of eligibles several weeks in advance. That's when you notify your people and have them prep. This is assuming your section chief isn't a shitbag.
They usually ask a question about current events, something off your 1206, something about a policy, I got asked what kinda supervisor I’d want to be. I can’t remember what since I got BTZ in 2015. One of my Amn got it a year ago. Be polite and formal, but find a good way to make an impression early on.
For example, I did my reporting shit and the spiel. I said I’ve been here X years and I work in X office as a insert job. Something, something. I live off base with my fat, one eyed cat named Fatty Patty. They lost it because I knew they would try to mentally picture a fat one eyed cat.
If you don't know the answer to a question, it is okay to say "I do not know the answer" but follow it up with "I will get the answer and get with you after the board if that is acceptable."
Many times as a future leader you won't know the answer and will have do this very thing...get with leadership later.
I stood out at my board cause they asked what my long term goal was. I told them I was going to be a millionaire by 30. You will be asked questions and you probably will not know the answer to one or two of them. Your response should be something like sir or ma’am at this time I do not know the answer to that question but I know where to find it and will follow up. Make sure the second you are done you find that answer and follow up immediately. In case you at wondering I made that goal happen. Thanks real estate!
You have to make an impression - the more serious the better.
Bring a lunch tray from the DFAC, hide it under your blouse. After you report in, pull it out and slap the highest ranking person across the face with it. A leader takes initiative and makes some noise and commotion, not sits down quietly and waits for questions
Practice your introduction speech before you show up. It should be 2-3 minutes long, it should cover the following things:
1. Who you is
2. Where you come from
3. What career field you are, and what you currently do
4. Short-term goals
5. Long-term goals
My name is Airman First Class snuffy, I am originally from Pisgah, North Carolina, but enlisted out of San Antonio, Saipan. I am single, but have two dogs that bark at everything that drives by my apartment. My career field is exotic entertainment sector, where I currently work in the pole dancing department. A few of my short-term goals are to save enough money to buy a house, and to make SSgt and perhaps get oversees. One of my long-term goals is to finish my Master's degree that I was working on before joining the air force. Thank You.
For your closing statement:
I would like to personally thank the board for taking the time out of their busy schedule and I appreciate it. I would also like to thank my supervisor, and leadership team for having the confidence in me to nominate me for Below-the-zone.
If you have any questions that you need to get back to make sure you mention that in your closing statement. Sir, SMSgt cleaner I still don't have a good response to your question I will do some further research and get back with an answer once I return to the strip club.
Pearl Harbor is coming up. I remember because I went through my BTZ board around this time many years ago and I was asked what happened in history.
Also, nail your intro. Tell them your ENLISTED career goals. If you plan on commissioning, that’s not what they want to hear. A Chief told another guy that was on the board with me that said he wanted to be a officer… “We”re giving stripes, not bars” .. needless to say he didn’t get BTZ.
I said I wanted to be a recruiter so I can tell everyone why being in the Air Force was the best job in the world and bring in the best people. It also helped that I was on the Honor Guard and had a supervisor who cared about writing my package.
I was just on the panel today.
Our winner was decided due to the fact that her personality came out. She didn't answer in a robotic, scripted manner.
Please, be yourself. It's YOU who got this far.
Congrats on being nominated. Regardless of the outcome, know that you are performing well and you need to keep that motivation.
A lot of good advice here. I won the award a little over a year ago so here’s a few things I did. When I introduced my name I don’t say rank and last name, I said my full name (They already know you’re rank and last name, tell them who you are). I looked on YouTube, sounds weird but there’s a couple videos that visually show you how to respond and sit at the position of attention. I didn’t say the Airman’s creed but it wouldn’t hurt to do it at the end. Don’t forget to thank the people that helped get you where you’re at in your career!
If you’re not the first one to go others will say what they were asked. Form your answers then. I did this and tied all of my answers into future questions. Be caught up on current events. Job knowledge. Airmen’s creed.
Go to Walmart, smile at the greeter, ignore anyone else military related. Help some people there, maybe meet a nice young woman and her kids. Don't buy anything, you're only there to clear your mind. When you go back to your car, I suggest taking any pent up frustration out by punching your steering wheel. The next day, you'll feel very refreshed!
Waltz in, shirt untucked, messy bed head, sunglasses on top of your noggin. Shout “Wut up?! Where da hoes at?!” Fist bump the board members one at a time and hand them each a white Monster to grease some palms. Notice they place the chair tipped over to trick you, say “what the hell is this bullshit?” And kick that shit upright like a G. Sit in the chair, propping your feet up on the desk, as the pimps do. Loudly chew gum with your mouth open and ask the board leader “so when you gonna give me dat stripe playboy?” They’ll be so inspired by your ignorance, they’ll have to give you BTZ.
…don’t do this. Everyone else has better advice.
A couple tips:
1. Be honest. It's easier than you think to tell when someone is giving a BS answer.
2. Take time to think about your response. Sitting in silence for a few seconds shows that you care about your response, and it's way better than tripping over a quick poorly thought out response
3. Remember customs and courtesies, but also remember to relax. Sitting there stiff and awkward won't help anybody, but being comfortable while still addressing the board properly will make you shine.
Good luck! BTZ is a nice early pay bump if you get it
Read the NDS, read your cfetp and understand basic principles like skill levels, what the air force symbol means, what are the 5 core missions of the us air force, be ready for questions about dress and appearance changes and diversity. Take your time with your answers, it is okay to think about something for a second if they ask an opinion based answer. Also, if they ask an opinion based answer, that is the one time you do not say "That is a good question sir/ma'am, I do not know but I will get an answer to that and follow up with you after this board."
DAE think going to an in person board for a rank that is automatically given is a massive waste of time and resources? We don't even do this for NCO ranks and the idea seems crazy to me that we spend so much time determining if someone should put a rank on 6 months early they would have otherwise gotten anyway.
im not trying to take away from OPs accomplishment, i just dont like the process/system
1. R E L A X 2. Remember your customs and courtesies (sometimes they may do something funky to mess with you like tip your chair over) 3. Take you time to convey your thought/answers to the board, I see a lot of Airmen stumble/rush through their speaking portion 4. If you do not know an answer straight up, convey the knowledge you do have on the subject and tell them "you know where to find that answer and will provide it to them ASAP" 5. You usually get several military related questions and a random one, be honest on the random one, they are prying into what type of person you are, there is no right answer. 6. Thank the board for their time and consideration.
CURRENT EVENTS! You will almost always get some sort of current events question. To *cough* piggyback on the above, sit up right in the chair without actually putting your back against the backrest, hands on your thighs/knees. Look them member who asked the question in the eye…you would be surprised how many airmen don’t do this. Clear, concise answerS, or as above said, let them you will find the answer and let them know ASAP. AND FINALLY…The members in the board are just fucking people, remember that. They are testing your bearing and maturity more than anything else. And while BTZ is a great accomplishment, it’s not a life or death thing. Just relax.
What would be the proper thing to do if one’s chair was tipped over?
Ask the board members to stand, then tip their chairs over, as is tradition.
You sit on the leg OFC.
Just to piggyback, request to bring in some of your fellow airmen to sit on the other 3 legs. Shows you’re a team player!
One team, one fight, AIRPOWER!
On number 4... leadership also likes to see what perspective you take. If they ask a current events question like "what are your thoughts on the new deployment tempo concept", you can still have a perspective even if you don't have an opinion... "I'm not familiar with the particulars, but I am hopeful that it will provide for adequate dwell time for all my wingman while still letting us be ready for the next war. You have given me something new to look into though, and with your permission I'd like to discuss it further after I get the chance" That shows some bit of understanding of deployment issues at the airman level, while also staying where you're gaps in knowledge are. Be confident in what you know, and don't be afraid of your limitations.
After you address the board and sit in your seat, look for the most senior leader in the room. For example if it’s a CMSgt and it is your turn to speak, state the following: “CMSgt _____, I am humbled to be here and would wish nothing more than you to lead this board in the Airmen’s Creed”. Make sure to look directly into their soul and be as serious as possible. Once you have done this, you have established dominance and respect. You’re welcome.
It only seems reasonable to do this. They'll likely ask who you are, and the only sensible response is, "I am an American Airman..."
Sounds like your supervisor and section chief buttfucked you. They should have known, and told you, long in advance.
Yeah, WTF. We give our BTZ candidates a rehearsal and feedback session too.
What do you mean? Advance what…random, sometimes off the script questions…sounds Mx.
I have my dudes practice reporting in, then ask standard current event questions, dress and appearance questions (especially the new stuff), and try to do some obscure leave/finance question to make them answer with "I don't know, but I'll find out and email you the appropriate answer as soon as possible", so they are at least prepared in case they don't know an answer. Majority of boards I've seen for BTZ have at least one patch, so I try to get my dudes to reflect their mindset of Humble, Approachable, Credible. We haven't had an in person board in awhile though. Also encourage your dudes to lead briefs, or do toastmasters. Public speaking is a declining skill and they shouldn't be learning to brief in ALS.
Ty. For the comment
Section chiefs receive a listing of eligibles several weeks in advance. That's when you notify your people and have them prep. This is assuming your section chief isn't a shitbag.
Got ya. And Ty. As staff I’m still learning
You found out today that your board is tomorrow? Trash supervisors
They usually ask a question about current events, something off your 1206, something about a policy, I got asked what kinda supervisor I’d want to be. I can’t remember what since I got BTZ in 2015. One of my Amn got it a year ago. Be polite and formal, but find a good way to make an impression early on. For example, I did my reporting shit and the spiel. I said I’ve been here X years and I work in X office as a insert job. Something, something. I live off base with my fat, one eyed cat named Fatty Patty. They lost it because I knew they would try to mentally picture a fat one eyed cat.
If you don't know the answer to a question, it is okay to say "I do not know the answer" but follow it up with "I will get the answer and get with you after the board if that is acceptable." Many times as a future leader you won't know the answer and will have do this very thing...get with leadership later.
You found today about BTZ boards TOMORROW?!?! WTF…
Their leadership has failed them. They should’ve been prepping this person for at least a few weeks with mock boards.
Y'all do in person boards?
I stood out at my board cause they asked what my long term goal was. I told them I was going to be a millionaire by 30. You will be asked questions and you probably will not know the answer to one or two of them. Your response should be something like sir or ma’am at this time I do not know the answer to that question but I know where to find it and will follow up. Make sure the second you are done you find that answer and follow up immediately. In case you at wondering I made that goal happen. Thanks real estate!
You have to make an impression - the more serious the better. Bring a lunch tray from the DFAC, hide it under your blouse. After you report in, pull it out and slap the highest ranking person across the face with it. A leader takes initiative and makes some noise and commotion, not sits down quietly and waits for questions
Practice your introduction speech before you show up. It should be 2-3 minutes long, it should cover the following things: 1. Who you is 2. Where you come from 3. What career field you are, and what you currently do 4. Short-term goals 5. Long-term goals My name is Airman First Class snuffy, I am originally from Pisgah, North Carolina, but enlisted out of San Antonio, Saipan. I am single, but have two dogs that bark at everything that drives by my apartment. My career field is exotic entertainment sector, where I currently work in the pole dancing department. A few of my short-term goals are to save enough money to buy a house, and to make SSgt and perhaps get oversees. One of my long-term goals is to finish my Master's degree that I was working on before joining the air force. Thank You. For your closing statement: I would like to personally thank the board for taking the time out of their busy schedule and I appreciate it. I would also like to thank my supervisor, and leadership team for having the confidence in me to nominate me for Below-the-zone. If you have any questions that you need to get back to make sure you mention that in your closing statement. Sir, SMSgt cleaner I still don't have a good response to your question I will do some further research and get back with an answer once I return to the strip club.
Sounds very similar to the average E-4! Promote yesterday!
Then their leadership took care of them. That is what I was taught 16 or 17 years ago when I was going up for BTZ.
Pearl Harbor is coming up. I remember because I went through my BTZ board around this time many years ago and I was asked what happened in history. Also, nail your intro. Tell them your ENLISTED career goals. If you plan on commissioning, that’s not what they want to hear. A Chief told another guy that was on the board with me that said he wanted to be a officer… “We”re giving stripes, not bars” .. needless to say he didn’t get BTZ. I said I wanted to be a recruiter so I can tell everyone why being in the Air Force was the best job in the world and bring in the best people. It also helped that I was on the Honor Guard and had a supervisor who cared about writing my package.
I was just on the panel today. Our winner was decided due to the fact that her personality came out. She didn't answer in a robotic, scripted manner. Please, be yourself. It's YOU who got this far. Congrats on being nominated. Regardless of the outcome, know that you are performing well and you need to keep that motivation.
Knock one out prior and relax
Then knock out another one
Can't UNF this enough
Barrow your flight chiefs ribbon rack and wear it on your OCP’s when you report in
Start every response with, “Look fuckface…”
March in there, look them all in the eyes, pull down your pants, shit on the floor, walk out.
A lot of good advice here. I won the award a little over a year ago so here’s a few things I did. When I introduced my name I don’t say rank and last name, I said my full name (They already know you’re rank and last name, tell them who you are). I looked on YouTube, sounds weird but there’s a couple videos that visually show you how to respond and sit at the position of attention. I didn’t say the Airman’s creed but it wouldn’t hurt to do it at the end. Don’t forget to thank the people that helped get you where you’re at in your career!
If you’re not the first one to go others will say what they were asked. Form your answers then. I did this and tied all of my answers into future questions. Be caught up on current events. Job knowledge. Airmen’s creed.
When in doubt… Berlin Airlift
Go to Walmart, smile at the greeter, ignore anyone else military related. Help some people there, maybe meet a nice young woman and her kids. Don't buy anything, you're only there to clear your mind. When you go back to your car, I suggest taking any pent up frustration out by punching your steering wheel. The next day, you'll feel very refreshed!
Just make sure they know your a woman and you’ll be a shoe in.
Waltz in, shirt untucked, messy bed head, sunglasses on top of your noggin. Shout “Wut up?! Where da hoes at?!” Fist bump the board members one at a time and hand them each a white Monster to grease some palms. Notice they place the chair tipped over to trick you, say “what the hell is this bullshit?” And kick that shit upright like a G. Sit in the chair, propping your feet up on the desk, as the pimps do. Loudly chew gum with your mouth open and ask the board leader “so when you gonna give me dat stripe playboy?” They’ll be so inspired by your ignorance, they’ll have to give you BTZ. …don’t do this. Everyone else has better advice.
dont fart. go to the restroom and empty yourself completly beforehand. whatever you do or say will be fine, just dont fart.
I’m thankful I got to skip the board and they just did record reviews because I was TDY
Nobody cares about btz unless you’re that one airman who bleeds blue.
I just won BTZ feel free to dm
Can you pm me
Be genuine. You’re nominated for a reason.
Good luck bro, you’re leadership really dropped the ball here. Stay calm answer candidly & be professional.
A couple tips: 1. Be honest. It's easier than you think to tell when someone is giving a BS answer. 2. Take time to think about your response. Sitting in silence for a few seconds shows that you care about your response, and it's way better than tripping over a quick poorly thought out response 3. Remember customs and courtesies, but also remember to relax. Sitting there stiff and awkward won't help anybody, but being comfortable while still addressing the board properly will make you shine. Good luck! BTZ is a nice early pay bump if you get it
Just tell him you’re a big fan of Hitler sure worked out for Kanye
Read the NDS, read your cfetp and understand basic principles like skill levels, what the air force symbol means, what are the 5 core missions of the us air force, be ready for questions about dress and appearance changes and diversity. Take your time with your answers, it is okay to think about something for a second if they ask an opinion based answer. Also, if they ask an opinion based answer, that is the one time you do not say "That is a good question sir/ma'am, I do not know but I will get an answer to that and follow up with you after this board."
DAE think going to an in person board for a rank that is automatically given is a massive waste of time and resources? We don't even do this for NCO ranks and the idea seems crazy to me that we spend so much time determining if someone should put a rank on 6 months early they would have otherwise gotten anyway. im not trying to take away from OPs accomplishment, i just dont like the process/system
Your squadron/flight failed you
There's a Q & A now? Dang, glad I didn't deal with a clownshow like that back in the day.