7.1 Airman Comprehensive Assessment (AFH-1 Section 8A)

Why Section 8A is a TSgt application chapter

The Airman Development and Testing Chart (ADTC) in AFH 1, 15 February 2025, sets Section 8A — Airman Comprehensive Assessment at B for SSgt and C for TSgt. Staff Sergeant study can stop at recognizing the program. Technical Sergeant study has to apply it: pick AF Form 931 versus AF Form 932, hit the 60-day initial window, make the ratee complete Section III, and run a session whose comments may later appear on the Enlisted Performance Brief (EPB).

AFH 1 titles the process performance feedback assessment. The worksheets are titled Airman Comprehensive Assessment. On the PFE those names are the same program — not two systems.

What the session is for

AFH 1 defines it as a formal two-way communication between a rater and ratee to discuss standards, responsibilities, expectations, and goals. The rater documents objectives, standards, behavior, and performance. The design is threefold: increase Airmen interaction and support at all levels, discuss personal and professional goals, and help Airmen achieve those goals.

During the session, raters refer the ratee to the MyAirForceBenefits website. Afterward the rater gives the original, completed, and signed worksheet to the ratee and keeps copies of completed assessments and signed notices (RegAF only).

Who owes the session

Unit commanders build a tracking mechanism and ensure sessions are conducted properly. Raters' raters / reviewing officials between the rater and the forced distributor / higher-level reviewer monitor the program. If the rater is unavailable, or when officially assuming those duties, the rater's rater conducts the session. Ratees must know when sessions are due and notify the rater, then the rater's rater, if a required or requested session does not happen.

Assessments are mandatory for officers through Colonel and for all enlisted Regular Air Force and Air Reserve Component personnel. They are not required (school leadership may still give them) for student officers on DAF Form 475, Education/Training Report, or enlisted personnel in initial or advanced skills training. For non-rated initial or advanced skills students, reports such as AETC Form 156, Student Training Report, serve in-lieu of the mandatory mid-term. The mid-term routes with the evaluation as a mandatory supporting document and is not made a matter of official record.

How to run it

Raters should be impartial and honest, and prefer a private, face-to-face session (video conferencing may be included). Feedback must be specific: praise reinforces behavior; criticism focuses improvement before the evaluation. Telephone sessions are allowed only when face-to-face is impractical.

The ratee completes Section III on their own and reviews Section IX (AB through TSgt) or Section VIII (MSgt through CMSgt) before the session. The rater completes the areas after Section III so they can objectively indicate performance in each area. The worksheet may be used on the ratee's evaluation, so a blank or vague 931 is a documentation gap on the later EPB.

Grade-specific worksheets

AFH 1 designates three worksheets by the ratee's grade, not the rater's. A TSgt rating a Staff Sergeant still uses the 931. A TSgt being rated still uses the 931 until promoted to Master Sergeant.

AF Form 724-A is not the TSgt ratee's worksheet. For AB–TSgt the tested form is 931; 932 starts at MSgt.

When the session is due

The military personnel flight usually sends a computer-generated notice within 30 days of when supervision begins, and again halfway to the projected close-out (mid-term). Failure to receive a notice does not justify skipping a required session. The Air National Guard may use another form of communication because it lacks that automated notice.

• Initial: within the first 60 days of supervision. That is the only initial until a change of reporting official (CRO).
• Mid-term: midway between supervision start and the next evaluation's projected close-out.
• End of reporting period: within 60 days after the evaluation has been accomplished.
• Ratee-requested: allowed if at least 60 days have passed since the last session.
• Chief Master Sergeants and colonels: initial only.
• Annual evaluation due and supervision less than 150 days: about 60 days before projected close-out.
• Lieutenant through Captain, CRO evaluation due: the new rater does initial feedback; the worksheet may be used, but documentation is not required.
• AB, Amn, or A1C with less than 20 months TAFMS: after the initial, a mid-term every 180 days until a performance report or CRO.

TSgt application: running 8A

On day one of supervision, diary the 60-day initial and the projected close-out, then place the mid-term at the halfway mark. Before the meeting, the ratee finishes Section III and reads Section IX on AF Form 931; you complete everything after Section III with specific examples. If you are the rater's rater because the rater deployed, you conduct the session. If you are the ratee, you still owe Section III on a 931. ADTC C is hitting that calendar and form — not inventing a fourth worksheet.