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(from left) Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Martinez, 56th Operations Group Superintendent, Col. George Schaub, 56th Operations Group Commander, Chief Master Sgt. Randall Raper, 56th Fighter Wing Command Chief, and Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing Commander tack on technical sergeant stripes onto the former Staff Sgt. Michael Cox, 56th Operations Support Squadron, during a sneak STEP promotion Dec. 18. The Stripes for Exceptional Performers program allows base commanders a method to promote individuals who are outstanding performers, but may not have been promoted under the traditional Weighted Airmen Promotion System. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ronifel Yasay)

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Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Owens, 56th Maintenance Group superintendent, Col. Geoffrey Parkhurst, 56th Maintenance Group Commander, Chief Master Sgt. Randall Raper, 56th Fighter Wing Command Chief, and Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing Commander, tack on Master Sgt. status onto the former Tech. Sgt. Jerry Martinez Jr., 56th Component Maintenance Squadron, during a sneak STEP promotion Dec. 18. The Stripes for Exceptional Performers program allows commanders the opportunity to promote deserving Airmen when they are not selected for promotion through the traditional Weighted Airmen Promotion System. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ronifel Yasay)

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Gen. Stephen Lorenz (left), Air Education and Training Command commander, promotes Staff Sgt. Matt Slaydon to technical sergeant through the Stripes To Exceptional Performers, or STEP, program Dec. 19 at AETC Headquarters. Sergeant Slaydon's wife, Annette, helps the general tack on the stripe. General Lorenz conducted the on-the-spot promotion on behalf of Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander, which is Sergeant Slaydon's home unit. He has been in San Antonio for more than a year receiving medical care for wounds he suffered Oct. 24, 2007, in Iraq when a bomb exploded next to him during his duty as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist. Sergeant Slaydon received the promotion for the extensive Air Force ambassadorship and mentorship he has conducted during his year-long recovery. (Photo by Michelle Deleon)