What is a common misconception about eligibility for BTZ?

A common misconception about eligibility for Below-The-Zone (BTZ) promotion is that it guarantees promotion. In reality, BTZ is a competitive selection process that provides Airmen with the opportunity to advance ahead of their peers based on their performance and potential. While being selected for BTZ can improve an Airman’s chances of promotion, it does not guarantee that the individual will be promoted to the next rank. The BTZ process is designed to recognize outstanding Airmen who demonstrate exceptional leadership, job performance, and potential for future responsibilities. This misunderstanding often arises because some individuals may equate being identified as a BTZ candidate with automatically receiving a promotion, which is not how the system functions.