The AF is still a mystery to me too. I had my MBA (from a brick & mortal school before ever joining the AF), and all the squares filled, and I got passed over to
O-4. No UIF, LORs, 15s, no Q-3s, etc. It is what it is, I declined continuation and punched. What bothered me the most about my time in the AF was that the job that I was supposed to be the best, proficient and always ready to fight, was my additional duty.