STEP

Senior Master Sgt. David Seia (left) and Chief Bryan Rakers (far right) pin on Master Sgt. Edwin Williams', 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, new rank after a surprise promotion here Dec. 24, 2008 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The Stripes for Extraordinary Performers programs rewards outstanding Airmen with promotions outside of their promotion cycle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Whitney Stanfield)

Veteran crew chief receives surprise promotion

Published Jan. 23, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Jones
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- A crew chief from the 336th Aircraft Maintenance Unit received a surprise promotion here Dec. 24.

Master Sgt. Edwin Williams had served 18 years in the Air Force - four as a technical sergeant - before the surprise promotion.

The Stripes for Exceptional Performers program awards outstanding Airmen with a promotion to the next rank given by the wing commander outside of the standard promotion cycle. Due to few STEP promotions being available each year, the wing commander must be extremely selective.

"When the commander called my name, I was in shock," Sergeant Williams said about the notification of his on-the-spot promotion.

Several factors were taken into consideration in choosing Sergeant Williams for the promotion. He earned the 2007 noncommissioned officer of the year for the 51st Maintenance Operations Squadron and his performance reports reflect continuous efforts to mentor and train many junior aircraft maintainers.

Sergeant Williams will continue to lead junior Airmen in his new position as section chief in charge of 336 AMU's crew chiefs.

"I'm looking forward to the new challenge," he said.