The United States Air Force uses a student-leadership system as a method to promote and develop the leadership skills of Airmen whose performance and record indicate they will be able to exercise authority responsibly and serve as a model for other Airmen.
There are three tiers in the Airman Leader system employed at technical training schools, with the level of authority denoted by a colored shoulder cord, or “rope.” At the lowest level are Green Ropes, manned by volunteers and assigned as leader of an element or a dormitory bay. Above them are Yellow Ropes, assigned to oversee an entire floor of a dormitory or a flight (thus the nicknames “Floor Rope” and “Flight Leader”).
Red Ropes are at the top of the Airman Leader system, and serve as supervisor or shift leader. They’re chosen from Yellow Ropes whose performance has indicated superior leadership qualities, and they typically report directly to the Chief and Senior Military Training Leader, Noncommissioned Officers ultimately responsible for ensuring Airmen progress properly through technical training school. Red Ropes oversee all Airmen assigned to a squadron or a shift—the highest leadership position a student can hold while still in technical school.
Red Ropes are issued both standard shoulder cords and aiguillettes, very similar to shoulder cords but with an end featuring a metal tip. Shoulder cords are worn with the utility uniform, the fleece jacket, and the blue shirt; aiguillettes are worn with the Blue Service or Mess Dess uniform jackets.