Staff Sergeant Rylee Hatch, widely known on social media as “Rylee Roast,” has gone public to address the rapid pace of her promotions within the U.S. Air Force. In a recently released series of videos, Hatch discusses her career progression while engaging in a format that has sparked discussions online.
“I made Staff [Sergeant] at two years and ten months, and now I’m at three years and nine months in my career,” she stated in the video while undressing on camera.
Hatch, who enlisted at 17 as an Airman Basic on a six-year contract, explained that this contract allowed her to be promoted to Airman First Class (A1C) immediately after graduating from technical school. Additionally, she received an early promotion to Senior Airman (E-4) through the “Senior Airman Below the Zone” (BTZ) program, which enables outstanding Airmen First Class to advance six months ahead of their peers based on exceptional performance and leadership potential. According to Hatch, this accelerated her timeline, allowing her to compete for Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks earlier than most.
While accelerated promotions are possible under specific conditions, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-5) in under three years is extremely rare. Typically, an airman must complete at least three years of service and six months in grade before being eligible for promotion. The promotion process involves the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS), which considers factors such as performance evaluations, specialty knowledge tests, and leadership potential. The standard time for an airman to reach Staff Sergeant is closer to 4.5 years, making Hatch’s rapid advancement an unusual case.
The first video ends as Hatch begins removing her uniform pants, transitioning to a second video where she appears in a tank top with visible piercings through her shirt. In this follow-up, she asserts, “I worked very hard to be where I’m at right now. Nothing was handed to me. Nothing came easy to me in my career.” She concludes by teasing an exciting new opportunity within the Air Force, though she refrains from providing details.
Hatch has built a significant following on TikTok and Instagram by offering insights into military life, leadership, and mental health awareness. In September 2024, she began conducting interviews with Air Force officers on her TikTok channel after receiving approval or encouragement to do so. This highlights the Air Force’s evolving stance on service members engaging with social media and sharing their experiences.
However, her approach has raised questions about whether the way she presents her content—particularly her choice to undress in videos discussing professional topics—is a deliberate tactic to gain more engagement. The combination of military insight with provocative visual elements has undoubtedly increased her visibility, fueling both support and criticism.
Regardless of the controversy, Hatch continues to be a notable figure in the military social media space, using her platform to discuss career growth, leadership, and new opportunities while navigating the complexities of public perception.
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