STEP Promotion

Technical Sgt. Travis Jenkins (far right), 4th Maintenance Operations Squadron, and his wife and child are pictured with Colonel Mark D. Kelly (left), wing commander, after receiving a surprise promotion Dec. 24, 2008 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The Stripes for Exceptional Performers Program rewards outstanding Airmen with promotions outside of the promotion cycle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Whitney Stanfield)

Maintenance instructor receives surprise promotion

Published Jan. 22, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- A maintenance instructor from the 4th Maintenance Operations Squadron received a surprise promotion here Dec. 24. 2008.

Technical Sgt. Travis Jenkins has been in the Air Force for nine years and a staff sergeant for almost five before getting 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. Because there are a limited amount of STEP promotions to give out each year, the wing commander must be extremely selective.

Sergeant Jenkins said his reaction to the news was full of mixed emotions.

"(I was) shocked, surprised and excited all at the same time," he said.

Several factors were taken into consideration in choosing Sergeant Jenkins for the promotion. He was the Maintenance Professional of the Year for the 4th MOS non-commissioned officers in 2007, and conducted familiarization training to the Japanese Air Self Defense Force which contributed in goodwill and led to their purchase of F-15E Strike Eagles.

"Since I have known him, he has performed the duties and held the responsibilities of at least a technical sergeant," said Master Sgt. Daniel Hauf, Sergeant Jenkins' supervisor. "His everyday professionalism and extensive job knowledge set him apart from the rest."