What does the fourth position in the AFSC denote?

• A. The Career Field.
• B. The Skill Level of AFSC, where '1' indicates Helper.
• C. The Career Group.
• D. The Proficiency Code.

Answer: (B)

In Air Force Specialty Codes, the four (actually five) characters are laid out to show field and qualification. The fourth character is the skill level, indicating how much training and qualification you have in that specialty. Each level corresponds to a stage of proficiency, with 1 representing Helper as the entry-level stage. As you gain experience, you move to higher levels (for example, 3 for Apprentice, 5 for Journeyman, 7 for Craftsman, and 9 for the most senior level). The fifth character then identifies your specific job within that skill level. So the fourth position is all about your current level of qualification, and a 1 signals the initial Helper stage.