What does the "5-level" designation refer to in the AFSC?

In the context of the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC), the designation of "5-level" refers to the Journeyman level within an enlisted member’s career progression. Individuals at this level have completed the necessary training and have gained the required experience to perform their duties with a higher degree of proficiency and autonomy.

Achieving the 5-level designation typically involves completing the Air Force’s training requirements, including technical training school and on-the-job training, as well as meeting performance standards. This level signifies that the individual is capable of carrying out their role effectively and may even supervise or mentor others who are at lower levels, such as apprentices or entry-level personnel.

The other designations refer to different levels of experience: the technician level could imply a more advanced or specialized role, the apprentice level denotes someone who is still in training, and the entry level indicates a newcomer who has not yet reached the journeyman status. Hence, the designation of 5-level as the Journeyman level highlights the individual’s established competence in their specialty within the Air Force.