Very similiar to the Air Force, though we use different terminology/acronyms for some of the stuff. But they still essentially mean the same thing.
With most careers in the Air Force being Tech oriented, the Air Force uses a skill level tier system.
After Basic Training graduation, Airman are considered 1-Levels.
Then you go to Technical Training School (much the same as AIT for the Army) - though some AFSC's may not actually have a Tech School and rely entirely on OJT (On the Job Training). Tech School is a lot like a very condensed and intensive (8-10 hours of class instruction per day) civilian technical trade school. Upon graduation from Tech School, Airman are considered 3-Levels (Apprentices). Schools are of differing lengths. Some might be just a few weeks. Others may be up to a year or more. My career field, an Avionics specialty, had a tech school of about 9 months to 1 year.
After Tech School one proceeds to their first duty assignment and begins OJT. Everybody recieves a job specific set of training records (with breakdowns of all expected tasks, duty station specific tasks, and level of proficiency for all). As you become proficient on specific tasks during your OJT, you and your supervisor sign them off in your training records as qualified. Some critical or highly dangerous tasks, may also require sign off by a third person called a Certifier (a 7-level or above, but we'll get to that in a bit...).
After all minimum required tasks are signed off, and any CDC's have been completed (Career Development Course, an individually completed correspondence text book course), a test is taken and if passed, the Airman is now a 5-Level (Journeyman). OJT length is also dependent upon the career field. My career field required 2 years (along with up to a year of tech school) before one could test for their 5-Level. Until this training is completed, a 3-Level cannot - technically - work unsupervised (though in practical application, if they are qualified on specific tasks, they usually work them relatively unsupervised).
As you continue to progress in rank (NCO at E-5 Staff Sergeant) and career field experience (minimum amount of time in career field), eventually you go to 7-Level School, upon the successful completion of which one is considered a...wait for it...7-Level! (Crafsman) In Aircraft Maintenance this is a really big deal, as only 7-Levels can clear "Red X" writeups on aircraft. In other career fields (like say an office type job), it may not seem as big a deal (except as a benchmark of career progression).
The last tier, after achieving the rank of Master Sergeant (the first "senior" NCO rank or the Air Force ranks), is achieved after completing another CDC course. After which, one is considered a 9-Level (Master Craftsman).
One can apply for a new-career field, but acceptance is based on slot availability and needs of the Air Force (if you're in a career field with a shortage of personal, it ain't going to happen). If you start a new career field, you start all over in that new career field and follow the same progression as above (1
→3→5→7→9 Level), though you still retain your rank.
There are also NCO training classes throughout an Air Force career (called PME for Professional Military Education). There's Airman Leadership School (used to be called NCO Preparatory School) approximately around the time one gains the rank of Senior Airman. Next is NCO Academy upon attaining the Rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6, can be attended as an E-5 Staff Sergeant if one already has a line number for Tech). NCO Academy teaches leadership and management skills as applies to a military environment - though the majority of this training is just as well applied in a civilian environment. Not much different than leadership and management courses civilian companies may have employees attend before assuming a mid-level managerial job. (Of course though, the greatest amount of "Leadership" training takes place on a day to day basis as one performs their duties.) Finally there's Senior NCO Academy upon gaining the rank of Master Sergeant (again, may be able to attend as a Tech with a line number for Master).
Recurring training also happens, usually on a yearly basis, same as the Army, for things like Self Aid/Buddy Care (First Aid/CPR), Chem Warfare, Weapons Re-Qualification/Proficiency (though it may be a longer interval, depending on career field, of 2 or even 3 years) - and also for career field specific things. (For example: anyone in aircraft maintenance, regardless of specialty, would recieve recurring training for things like Corrosion Prevention, Hazards of RF Environments, Fire Extinguisher Training [regular small office A,B,C extinguishers - all the way up to large 30 gallon Halon flightline fire extinguishers], etc.).
Self Aid/Buddy Care (First Aid) training teaches the following:
- Basic Triage (how to "mark" casualties, etc.)
- CPR/Heimlich Maneuver
- Recognizing and Treating Shock, Heat Exhaustion/Stroke, Frostbite, Hypothermia, etc.
- Administering Chemical Antidote Kit to self and others (also recieved during Chem Warfare training)
- Treating and Splinting Broken Bones (including makeshift splints and breaks that protrude through the skin)
- How to carry wounded/disabled individuals (fireman carry, sling carry, makeshift stretchers)
- Wound Treatment (cleaning, applying dressings and protective materials, along with makeshift versions)
- Tourniquet Application and Management (treatment of last resort/necessity only)
- Collapsed Lung Treatment (we now have these cool little devices meant for this that are carried in our kits, but I can't remember what they are called - they are inserted at a specific point between the ribs and have a valve that can be opened and closed).
- Severe Wound Treatment with Clotting Agent/Pads (for large or severely bleeding wounds - like gunshots and shrapnel - we now have clotting powders and pads that can "seal" wounds - they won't remain sealed under strenuous activity, such as combat - and require professional medical attention ASAP).
Self Aid/Buddy Care is intended only to keep someone alive until they can recieve professional medical treatment. It's primary purpose is not intended for keeping people in the fight - though this knowledge is applicable to treating minor, non-debilitating wounds also.
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