The secretary annually reviews the administrative briefings given on the board's first day to ensure they are consistent with her written guidance. Finally, she receives the post-board briefing from the board president and approves the board report. Given the importance of her oversight function, strict rules govern who may perform reviews and interviews if the secretary is unable to do them personally. These responsibilities may only be delegated to a subordinate civilian official who has been appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Currently, only the under secretary of the Air Force and the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower, reserve affairs, installations, and environment are authorized to perform these important safeguard duties on the secretary's behalf.
Some safeguards are at work even before the promotion board convenes.
Prior to each promotion board, a military personnel flight letter is sent to all units announcing the board date, the eligibility criteria and the promotion opportunity. Approximately three months prior to convening a board, officer pre-selection briefs are sent to all eligible officers directing them to review their records to ensure such information as duty history, professional and military education, advance education, and decorations are accurate. Since the pre-selection brief contains the same information as the officer selection brief used by the promotion board, this safeguard gives each officer the chance to make sure board members see the correct information. How promotion board members are selected is another safeguard. While the law requires board members to be senior in grade to the officers being considered for promotion, Air Force policy is to only use senior officers in the grade of colonel or higher as board members.