The airman is the air force and navy’s equivalent of the private in the army. The airman’s primary responsibility is to service and maintain the aircraft that has been assigned to him. An airman is in charge of the plane, the munitions, and the area’s security. Other responsibilities include assisting with plane takeoffs and landings, as well as assisting in crash situations and food service. The general responsibilities of the position allow the soldier to advance through the ranks becoming educated in a variety of areas of the military and excelling in one primary division.
As a member of the flight crew, the airman is in charge of nearly every aspect of keeping the plane in good working order. An airman’s responsibilities include fueling the plane, cleaning the weapons, loading the ammunition, and airing the tires. This type of maintenance is usually done in a hangar or on the grounds of an airport; however, in a naval application, it is usually done on an aircraft carrier. When an airman is stationed aboard an American aircraft carrier, he is usually assigned to a group known as Skittles®, which is named after the brightly colored uniforms they wear.
One of the reasons an airman would wear a brightly colored uniform is to attract the attention of pilots. In the event that the service member falls overboard, it also makes him or her more visible. The various colors are used to help pilots and other shipboard personnel quickly and accurately identify the correct person performing a specific function for the pilot and plane. Every job has its own color, allowing airmen designated as ammunition handlers or fuel handlers to be identified in the midst of the chaos that is often present on the flight deck.
The airman rank is divided into levels, each with its own set of requirements and responsibilities. The rank is determined the length of service as well as performance while performing the assigned duties of the rank. A commanding officer who is typically allowed to promote service members at an accelerated rate can make exceptions to these rules under certain guidelines. A new soldier typically joins the military at the lowest rank and works his way up as slots open up and his commander deems his performance appropriate for the new rank.