An airman is a member of an air force or air arm of a nations armed forces. In certain air forces, it can also refer to a specific enlisted rank. In the U.S. Air Force, airman is a general term which can refer to any member of the United States Air Force, regardless of rank, but is also a specific enlisted rank in the Air Force. The rank of airman (abbreviated "Amn") is the second enlisted rank from the bottom, just above the rank of Airman Basic, and just below that of Airman First Class.
In civilian aviation usage, the term airman is analogous to the term sailor in nautical usage. In the American Federal Aviation Administration usage, an airman is any holder of an airmans certificate, male or female. This certificate is issued to those who qualify for it by the Federal Aviation Administration Airmen Certification Branch.
Being an airman in the U.S. Air Force means being part of a team that values leadership, courage, loyalty, trust, professionalism, and dedication to duty. Airmen are expected to adjust to the Air Force way of military life and become proficient in an Air Force occupational specialty. Upon leaving basic training, all airmen enter training at Air Force schools in their specialties ("jobs"), depending on their aptitudes and interests, and the needs of the Air Force. Airmen are assigned an increasing level of responsibility as they move up the ranks.
