BTZ Calculator
Accurately determine your Below-The-Zone (BTZ) eligibility and promotion dates
Your official date of entry into military service.
If you don't know, check your SURF or vMPF.
BTZ Information
- • Time in Service (TIS): 36 months required
- • Time in Grade (TIG): 20 months as A1C or 28 months TIG required
- • BTZ allows promotion to SrA six months early
- • 15% quota of eligible Airmen are selected each quarter
Enter your dates to see your BTZ eligibility and promotion timeline
About the BTZ Calculator
This calculator helps Air Force Airmen determine their eligibility for the Below-The-Zone (BTZ) promotion program, which allows exceptional Airmen First Class (A1C) to be promoted to Senior Airman (SrA) six months ahead of their peers. The calculator follows the Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2502 guidelines for enlisted promotions.
Understanding the Below-The-Zone (BTZ) Program
The BTZ program is a competitive early promotion opportunity designed to recognize and reward Airmen who have demonstrated exceptional performance, leadership qualities, and adherence to the Air Force's core values.
Time Requirements
- Time in Service (TIS): 36 months of total active federal military service.
- Time in Grade (TIG): 20 months as an Airman First Class (A1C) or 28 months TIG, whichever comes first.
Selection Process
- Identification: Commanders receive a roster of eligible Airmen.
- Nomination: Commanders nominate Airmen who have demonstrated exceptional performance.
- Selection Board: A board of senior NCOs reviews nominations.
- Quota: Only 15% of eligible Airmen can be selected each quarter.
Benefits of BTZ
- Early Advancement: Promotion to SrA six months earlier than peers.
- Career Boost: Enhanced career progression and competitiveness for future promotions.
- Recognition: Formal acknowledgment of exceptional performance and dedication.
Our calculator simplifies the process of determining your BTZ eligibility and important dates:
- Enter your Date of Enlistment - The date you entered active duty.
- Enter your Date of Rank for A1C - The date you were promoted to Airman First Class.
- Review Your Results - The calculator will display your eligibility status, BTZ board month, potential BTZ promotion date, and standard promotion date.
For more detailed information about the BTZ program, refer to Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2502, which governs enlisted airman promotions.
BTZ stands for Below The Zone — a highly competitive early promotion opportunity available to enlisted Airmen. Normally, Airmen promote to Senior Airman (E-4) after serving 36 months in service and 20 months in grade (as an Airman First Class, A1C/E-3). However, BTZ allows for promotion six months earlier, provided the Airman exhibits outstanding performance and leadership potential.
Fact: Only 15% of eligible Airmen can be promoted through BTZ in a given cycle. This makes it a highly selective and merit-based advancement.
Navigating the military promotion system involves specific dates and eligibility windows. Misunderstanding these dates can lead to missed opportunities. A BTZ calculator simplifies this by:
- Reducing manual calculation errors
- Ensuring accurate eligibility assessments
- Supporting supervisors and commanders in identifying qualified Airmen
- Planning promotion boards and administrative workflows
Core Eligibility Requirements:
- Rank: Must currently hold the rank of Airman First Class (A1C)
- Time in Service (TIS): Must meet minimum TIS (usually 36 months) within the BTZ window
- Time in Grade (TIG): Must meet minimum TIG (usually 20 months)
- Good standing: No significant disciplinary actions or performance issues
- Commander's Nomination: Must be nominated by a commander after a review or board
Note: Promotions are based on Date of Rank (DOR) and Projected Promotion Date — both of which are calculated using BTZ formulas.
The BTZ Calculator takes into account two essential data points:
- Date of Rank (DOR): The date an Airman was promoted to A1C
- Date Initially Entered Military Service (DIEMS) or Pay Entry Base Date (PEBD)
Using this information, the calculator determines:
- Standard promotion date to Senior Airman (E-4)
- BTZ eligibility date (6 months earlier)
- BTZ window (board month, nomination deadlines)
Example:
Suppose an Airman has the following:
- DOR: August 1, 2022
- Standard SrA Promotion Date: August 1, 2024
- BTZ Eligibility Date: February 1, 2024
The BTZ window usually opens six months prior to the standard promotion date, meaning:
- BTZ Board Month: Around February or March 2024
- Nomination Deadline: One month prior to board month
| SrA Promotion Month | BTZ Board Month | Eligibility Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| January | July | July 1st |
| February | August | August 1st |
| March | September | September 1st |
| April | October | October 1st |
| May | November | November 1st |
| June | December | December 1st |
| July | January | January 1st |
| August | February | February 1st |
| September | March | March 1st |
| October | April | April 1st |
| November | May | May 1st |
| December | June | June 1st |
Tip: Always use a BTZ Calculator to avoid errors caused by leap years, irregular months, or incorrect DORs.
Steps in the BTZ Process:
- Squadron Notification: Airmen are notified of BTZ eligibility
- Package Preparation: Members submit records, write-ups, EPRs (Enlisted Performance Reports)
- BTZ Board Review: A panel of SNCOs evaluates eligible candidates
- Score & Rank: Airmen are scored on performance, leadership, and potential
- Commander Endorsement: Final approval by the Squadron/Group commander
- Results Released: BTZ promotion notifications sent out
Scoring Factors:
- Past EPRs
- Education
- Volunteerism
- Awards & Decorations
- Physical Fitness
- Leadership Experience
A BTZ selection becomes a permanent part of your record and often leads to faster future promotions and leadership roles.
Promoting BTZ is more than a career boost — it represents excellence.
Tangible Benefits:
- Early Pay Raise (SrA basic pay starts higher)
- Competitive Advantage for Staff Sergeant (SSgt/E-5)
- Recognition across your base and peers
- Permanent notation in your record
- Better chances for BTZ Staff Sergeant (STEP) or Below-the-Zone SSgt
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Everyone gets BTZ if they meet the dates | False. Only 15% are selected. |
| BTZ is automatic | No, you must be nominated and pass the board. |
| You can apply on your own | False. Commanders nominate you. |
| BTZ doesn't affect future promotions | False. It can accelerate your entire career. |
Learn more about the Air Force and BTZ program through these resources:
- United States Air Force - Wikipedia
Historical overview and organization of the United States Air Force
- Below The Zone - Wikipedia
Information about the Below The Zone promotion program in military contexts
- Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2502
Official Air Force guidance on Enlisted Airman Promotion/Demotion Programs