An interim clearance allows a person to have access to collateral classified information (at the level requested without a caveat) while his or her final clearance is being processed. For example, a person with an Interim Secret may have access to a document marked Secret, but not a caveated one, Secret COMSEC..
Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Ranks. (E-7 through E-9) Air Force enlisted members E-7 and above are referred to as SNCOs. Air Force SNCOs are expected to set the highest standards of personal integrity, loyalty, leadership, dedication, and devotion to duty including upholding Air Force policies, traditions, and standards.
The Air Force mirrored the Army from 1976 to 2 May 1991 with an E-4 being either a Senior Airman wearing three stripes without a star or a Sergeant (informally referred to as Buck Sergeant) which was noted by the presence of the central star and considered an NCO.