16 Eglin Airmen selected for below the zone Published June 23, 2009 By Samuel King Jr. Team Eglin Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Congratulations to the 16 Airmen selected for promotion to senior airman below the zone. Below the zone is a competitive early promotion program offered to Airmen in the grade of Airman First Class/E-3. This early promotion opportunity is restricted to elite Airmen who stand out from their peers and perform duties at a level above their current rank. A "below the zone" promotion means Airmen are able to sew on a new stripe six months earlier than their original date of rank. This is a benefit financially and in responsiblity, but it also affects Airmen's testing dates which is required for the next promotion to staff sergeant. 1st Special Operations Wing Neil Buzek 33rd Fighter Wing Arreyn Kay D. Joson Devin Roland Aldwin Verzosa Andrew Peterson 46th Test Wing Brian Kummet Carrie Spillman Kenneth Warren 53rd Wing Samantha Higgins 96th Air Base Wing David Jeghers Vanessa Valente-Perryman Kevin Wyrick Sarah Grant Horace Wilcox 728 Air Control Squadron Michael Mitchell Robert Socher