Cadet Officer Qualification Exam (COQE) Practice Exam

In the Air Force, an asterisk after the pay grade signals a special duty designation rather than just the rank. The E-8* tag identifies the holder as a First Sergeant. First Sergeants are senior NCOs chosen to lead a unit’s enlisted personnel, focusing on welfare, discipline, and readiness, with duties and authority specific to that role that go beyond the normal responsibilities of the rank. So, the designation E-8* corresponds to the position of First Sergeant. The other options are standard ranks (Master Sergeant, Senior Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant) without the First Sergeant designation.