TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
For those hopeful prospects striving to step into the next NCO rank, Airmen must first go through one man with one test standing in their way.
Gerald Havel, 325th Force Support Squadron test control officer, awaits Airmen every morning, Monday through Friday, to prepare them for the Weighted Airman Promotion System Test.
"I test roughly 80 to 120 Airmen a week," Havel said. "Each test takes about an hour and 45 minutes to complete, but to get everything prepared it takes more time."
Having experience working with military testing in his past, Havel took the job as test controller after retiring as a chief master sergeant when asked by the military personnel flight superintendent 14 years ago.
"I absolutely love my job," Havel said with a big grin on his face. "It is fun to come to work and talk about what is going on in the Air Force. I enjoy Airmen company very much. You can take the old guy out of the Air Force, but you can't take the Air Force out of the old guy."
Staff Sgt. Melissa Parson, 325th Contracting Squadron contract specialist, recently took a test.
"Mr. Havel was entertaining prior to the test start time," Parson said. "He made a few jokes while taking accountability, which helped lighten the tense mood of the situation."
Once they are done testing, Havel puts the answer sheets in the proper order, places them in a folder, seals it, and then sends it to the Air Force Personnel Center that same day.
After being sent, the line numbers get released and the newly selected NCOs are notified.
"After receiving the good news, some Airmen come visit me after being promoted," he added. "It's surprising how many people get promoted, and that puts a smile on my face."
Parsons shared some words of advice to Airmen taking the test for the first time.
"Read everything on the Professional Development Guide and study the information the best way that works for you," she added.
Havel sees similar faces coming in and out of his testing room.
"I've been testing some of the Airmen for eight to ten years now," Havel added. "I see myself in some of the Airmen that come in, and some I've known for a long time and even worked for me many years ago. It is good to see them grow and putting on their next stripe."