Four Airmen receive STEP promotions

  • Published
  • By Ashley M. Wright
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Several Airmen received an early surprise for the holiday season - a promotion, thanks to their hard work and the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program.

"You get to reward the best of the best," said Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Westermeyer, command chief for the Air Armament Center and 96th Air Base Wing. "Sometimes the promotion system has not worked the way it should for them (or) maybe they have done too much taking care of everybody else and have not taking the time to do the studying they need to do."

The Airmen received their promotions at several carefully choreographed surprise ceremonies, and according to the chief, the promotions become effective that day.

Master Sgt. Regina Brown

The Thomasville, Ga. native thought she was being summoned for a recall from her flight commander. Then Tech. Sgt. Regina Brown soon found out the real reason.

"I was in shock, but grateful, but overwhelmed," said the line supervisor for the Inpatient Pharmacy with the 96th Medical Squadron, "just flooded with emotions."

The master sergeant's emotions did not go unnoticed.

"I thought she was going to pass out." Chief Westermeyer said. "When she walked around the corner and saw us there, she instantly thought what is wrong. When we pulled the stripes out and said we are here to give you these, to see the look on her face and the tears rolling down her cheeks and she was shaking so much from excitement, it is a feeling you never forget because it was real; it was genuine."

The 12-year Air Force veteran quickly acknowledged the people in her personal and professional life who made this moment possible.

"Thank you to my husband Senior Master Sgt. Samel Brown and thank you to my daughters Aniah and Kori who keep me sharp and on my toes," she said. "And thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who had a part in this process that took the time out of their schedules to put forth the effort to make this a reality for me. That is what leadership is all about: taking care of your people and that is exactly what I plan to continue doing."

Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary

On Nov. 9 then Staff Sgt. Zachary, Team Eglin Public Affairs NCO in charge, was called back to the office to handle a budget issue. However, as people from the 96th ABW headquarters building starting entering her office, the New Jersey native got a little nervous.

"Then, I saw General Davis [AAC commander], and I knew something wasn't quite right," she said. "It was definitely an 'oh, no' moment."

Sgt. Zachary had no clue why the 96th ABW commander and Chief Westermeyer had gathered around her desk.

"My boss did such a good job at convincing me I was needed to help sort a bungled program out that I didn't realize what was going on until the commander said, 'people move on to the next rank when they hear staff sergeant so it's a good thing you will be a tech sergeant when you're deployed,'" she said. "You can say that the light bulb turned on then."

The Public Affairs director said it took some extra planning to find the right timing to bring the sergeant into the office during her leave.  

"It was hard to keep the promotion a secret! Not only was it hard to keep the word from her, but everyone in the office," said Andy Bourland, Team Eglin Public Affairs director. "I can think of no one more deserving for a STEP promotion that now-Technical Sergeant Zachary. She's a tremendous NCO, outstanding wingman and teammate to everyone on Team Eglin."

After wiping away her tears, reality set in for the 8-year veteran.

"I can only hope that I do this rank the justice it deserves, and that I live up to the expectations of the people who thought me qualified enough to wear this rank," Sergeant Zachary said.

Tech. Sgt. Natalie Thompson

Normally, Tech. Sgt. Natalie Thompson, 46th Operational Support Squadron, spends her days bringing civilian and military aircraft into and out of Eglin airspace. But, during an extraordinary day, while attending a 46th Test Wing promotion ceremony, the air traffic controller learned her Air Force career would suddenly change.

"It was a complete and total surprise to be selected for my STEP promotion," said the Austin, Texas native. "I have only known a few people in my career to be STEP promoted and was honored and surprised to be compared to some on my greatest mentors."

Sergeant Thompson, who enlisted in the Air Force in May 2001, said her newest stripe is a result of others.

"I believe much of the credit is due to my supervisors and former leaders who provided me with the opportunity to grow and succeed as an individual and NCO in the United States Air Force."

Tech. Sgt. Christian Corrella

The 53rd Wing, headquartered here, promoted Staff Sgt. Christian Corrella on Oct. 21. Now, Tech. Sgt. Corrella serves with the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron, at Nellis AFB, Nev.

"STEP promotions provide an opportunity to recognize some of the most deserving and hardest working people in the Air Force," said Col. Michael Gantt, 53rd Wing commander who placed the stripes on the sergeant. "It is always an honor to see a 53rd Wing Airman receive a new stripe and such was the case with Sergeant Corrella."

As an evaluator aerial gunner in the HH-60G helicopter he performs at the highest level. He played a crucial part in the 23rd Wing disaster response team in New Orleans, La. in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. During a four-day period, he flew more 35 hours and was responsible for saving 170 lives.