3.1 The United States Armed Forces

Air Force PFE Promotion Fitness Examination

Track your progress as you read

Finished sections get a check mark.

1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 PFE Exam Facts & Format 1.2 The WAPS Scoring System 1.3 The Tested AFH 1 Chapters & Study Strategy

2 Professionalism (AFH 1, Chapter 1)

2.1 The USAF Professional & the Profession of Arms 2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues 2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed

3 Military Organization & Command (AFH 1, Chapter 5)

3.1 The United States Armed Forces 3.2 The Military Departments & Services 3.3 Military Command Structure & Combatant Commands 3.4 The Air Force Total Force 3.5 Air Force Organizational Structure

4 Enlisted Force Development I (AFH 1, Chapter 7A–7D)

4.1 Leadership Levels 4.2 The Enlisted Force Structure & Tiers 4.3 Duty Titles & Special Positions 4.4 Force Development & the Competency Framework

5 Enlisted Force Development II (AFH 1, Chapter 7E–7H)

5.1 Training Responsibilities & Upgrade Training 5.2 Professional Military Education 5.3 The Community College of the Air Force 5.4 Continuing Education & Voluntary Programs

6 Assessments & Recognition (AFH 1, Chapter 8)

6.1 The Airman Comprehensive Assessment 6.2 Performance Evaluations & the EPB 6.3 Reenlistments, Retention & Continuation 6.4 Awards & Decorations

7 Enlisted Promotions (AFH 1, Chapter 9)

7.1 Promotion Systems & Programs 7.2 Promotion Cycles & Eligibility 7.3 Preparation & Individual Responsibilities 7.4 Promotion Testing & Test Control 7.5 Evaluation Boards & Central Selection

8 Personnel Programs & Benefits (AFH 1, Chapter 11)

8.1 Benefits & Services 8.2 Leave & Authorized Absences 8.3 Military Associations & Civilian Programs

9 Finance, Manpower & Resources (AFH 1, Chapter 12)

9.1 Individual Finances & Allowances 9.2 Official Travel Expenses & Allowances 9.3 Manpower Management 9.4 Resource Management & Stewardship 9.5 Environmental Commitment

10 Developing Organizations (AFH 1, Chapter 13)

10.1 Strategic Thinking & Results Focus 10.2 Resources & Organizational Structure 10.3 Change Management & Problem Solving

11 Developing Others (AFH 1, Chapter 14)

11.1 Teamwork & Team Dynamics 11.2 Develops People: Mentoring, Coaching & Feedback 11.3 Service Mindset & Fostering Effective Relationships 11.4 Leadership: Styles, Power & Influence

12 Developing Self I (AFH 1, Chapter 15A–15C)

12.1 Accountability & Self-Management 12.2 Military Communication 12.3 Preparing to Communicate

13 Developing Self II (AFH 1, Chapter 15D–15F)

13.1 Written Communication 13.2 Spoken Communication 13.3 Electronic Messaging

14 Developing Ideas (AFH 1, Chapter 16)

14.1 What We Know: Priorities & Innovation 14.2 Cognitive Processes & Critical Thinking 14.3 Informed Decision-Making 14.4 What We Don't Know: Uncertainty & Assumptions

15 Emergency Management (AFH 1, Chapter 17)

15.1 Air Force Emergency Management, Disasters & Hazards 15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection 15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery 15.4 Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention 15.5 Risk Management

16 Security (AFH 1, Chapter 18)

16.1 Integrated Defense & Force Protection Conditions 16.2 Operations Security (OPSEC) 16.3 Information Protection & Classification 16.4 Information Access, Cybersecurity & Mobility 16.5 Antiterrorism

17 Standards of Conduct (AFH 1, Chapter 19)

17.1 A Way of Life: Oaths, Standards & Off-Duty Conduct 17.2 The Law of War 17.3 The Code of Conduct

18 Enforcing Military Standards (AFH 1, Chapter 20)

18.1 The Air Force Inspection System 18.2 Individual Accountability & Corrective Action 18.3 Appropriate Working Relationships & Fraternization 18.4 Addressing Misconduct & Prohibited Behavior

19 Fitness & Readiness (AFH 1, Chapter 22)

19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness 19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment 19.3 Nutrition & Performance 19.4 Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment Programs 19.5 Readiness State of Mind & Resilience

20 Military Customs & Courtesies (AFH 1, Chapter 24)

20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting 20.2 Respect for the Flag 20.3 Respect for Individuals 20.4 Ceremonies & Events 20.5 Drill & Formation 20.6 Preserving Our Heritage

21 SJT Format & Competencies

21.1 SJT Format & Mechanics 21.2 Airman Leadership Qualities (ALQs) 21.3 Foundational Competencies & Behaviors

22 SJT Reasoning, Scenarios & Traps

22.1 SJT Reasoning Strategies 22.2 Sample SJT Scenarios 22.3 SJT Traps & Best Practices

3.1 The United States Armed Forces

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

By statute the chain of command runs from the President, through the Secretary of Defense, to the Combatant Commanders; for forces not assigned to CCDRs it runs from the President through SecDef to the Secretaries of the military departments.

The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-433, 1 October 1986) permits the President to authorize communications through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff outranks all other officers of the U.S. Armed Forces but may not exercise military command over the Joint Chiefs or the Armed Forces.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff are the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief of Space Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) is designated the highest senior enlisted position in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Last updated: August 2026

Command Authority and Civilian Control

AFH 1 defines command authority as "the established levels of responsibility for command, control, and communication throughout a chain of command." Responsibility and authority for the U.S. Armed Forces extends from the President , through the Secretary of Defense , through two distinct branches of command , and through each commander at every level.

The rule that follows is the one PFE items key on: each level in the chain is responsible for all lower levels and accountable to all higher levels. Note the direction — responsible downward, accountable upward. Reversing those two words is the standard distractor.

The U.S. Constitution establishes the basic principle of civilian control of the Armed Forces. As Commander in Chief , the President has final command authority, but as head of the executive branch is subject to the checks and balances of the legislative and judicial branches.

The Statutory Chain of Command

AFH 1 states two chains, and the exam tests the distinction:

• Situation Chain of command
• Forces assigned to Combatant Commanders President → Secretary of Defense → Combatant Commanders (CCDR)
• Forces not assigned to CCDRs President → Secretary of Defense → Secretaries of the military departments

When forces are assigned to CCDRs, administrative control still typically flows through their respective service branch . That is the operational-versus-administrative split that reappears in Section 5C as OPCON and ADCON.

The Goldwater-Nichols exception. A provision of Public Law 99-433, the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986, dated 1 October 1986 , permits the President to authorize communications through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , placing the Chairman in the communications chain of command. Learn the act, the public law number, and the date — all three are testable, and the key nuance is that this places the Chairman in the communications chain, not the command chain.

The Department of Defense

AFH 1 calls the Department of Defense America's largest government agency , with over 1.3 million members in the Regular Forces, another 826,000 in the National Guard and Reserve Forces, and 742,000 civilian personnel. Its mission is "to provide military forces to deter war and protect the security of our country," and it is headquartered at the Pentagon .

The Department of Defense includes:

• The Office of the Secretary of Defense
• The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff
• The Departments of the Army, Navy (including the Marine Corps), and Air Force (including the Space Force)

The unified combatant commands , forces dedicated to combined commands, defense agencies , and field activities

Secretary of Defense. Appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, the SecDef is the civilian head of DoD and reports directly to the President . The SecDef serves as principal defense policy advisor to the President, is responsible for the formulation and execution of general defense policy, and exercises the operational chain of command between the President and the CCDRs . A specific responsibility is providing written policy guidance for national security objectives, military mission priorities, and projected resource levels, plus written guidance to the Chairman regarding contingency plans .

Under Secretaries of Defense. AFH 1 states there are six : Policy; Comptroller; Personnel and Readiness; Acquisition and Sustainment (A&S); Research and Engineering; and Intelligence. Staff assistance also comes from special agencies such as the Defense Threat Reduction Agency , Security Service, and Defense Logistics Agency .

The Armed Forces Policy Council assists in matters requiring a long-range view, formulates broad defense policy, and advises the SecDef. The Secretary of Defense serves as its Chairman .

The Joint Staff and the Joint Chiefs

The Joint Staff assists members of the Joint Chiefs in strategic direction, unified operation of the combatant commands, and integration of all branches into an efficient force. By law, direction of the Joint Staff rests exclusively with the Chairman , who normally manages it through the Director of the Joint Staff — selected by the Chairman after consultation with the other Joint Chiefs and with SecDef approval.

The Joint Staff consists of more than 1,500 military and civilian personnel, composed of approximately equal numbers of officers from the Army, Navy, USAF, and USSF , with Marines making up about 20 percent of the number allocated to the Navy . That 20-percent detail is a favorite item.

Chairman, Vice Chairman, and SEAC

Position Key facts from AFH 1

Chairman (CJCS) Grade of General or Admiral. Outranks all other officers of the Armed Forces but may not exercise military command over the Joint Chiefs or the Armed Forces. Principal military advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and SecDef.

Vice Chairman (VCJCS) Member of the Joint Chiefs. Cannot be from the same branch as the Chairman. Serves a two-year tour and may be reappointed for two additional terms . Becomes Acting Chairman in the Chairman's absence.

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) Designated the highest senior enlisted position in the U.S. Armed Forces . Advises the Chairman and SecDef on Total Force integration, utilization, health of the force, and joint development for enlisted personnel.

The "outranks but cannot command" pairing is the single most-tested fact in Section 5A. An option stating that the Chairman commands the combatant commanders is wrong; SecDef may assign the Chairman responsibility for overseeing the activities of the CCMDs, which is oversight, not command.

Membership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Eight positions, and you must be able to list them:

• Chairman
• Vice Chairman
• Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army
• Chief of Naval Operations
• Chief of Staff of the USAF
• Chief of Space Operations
• Commandant of the Marine Corps
• Chief of the National Guard Bureau

The two most commonly missed members are the Chief of Space Operations and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau . Note also the priority rule: for the Service Chiefs , their Joint Chiefs of Staff duties take precedence over all other duties , which is why they delegate many service duties to their Vice Chiefs while retaining overall responsibility.

The Joint Chiefs provide strategic direction of the Armed Forces, review major materiel and personnel requirements, establish joint doctrine , assign logistic responsibilities to the services, formulate policies for joint training, and coordinate military education — all as advisors , subject to the authority, direction, and control of the President and SecDef.