Wing commander rewards excellence

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vernon Floro
  • 96th Communications Squadron
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Being caught improperly wearing the Air Force uniform by Col. Eric Pohland, 96th Air Base Wing commander, would typically garner a verbal counseling, but in the case of one Airman, it meant a Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Dowing, 96th Communications Squadron NCOIC of boundary protection, was in the middle of eating lunch Jan. 17 during the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association luncheon, when Colonel Pohland, assisted by Maj. Gen. William Lord, Air Force Cyberspace commander, surprised him by announcing they had noticed he was out of uniform.

"I was speechless and had no idea what was happening," said Sergeant Dowing.

Sergeant Dowing had a forkful of food when General Lord asked him to stand. The general then passed the microphone to Colonel Pohland, who announced that the sergeant was indeed out of uniform and should come to the front of the room to receive his new stripe.

"It felt really great when the colonel called me up and told me I was getting promoted," said the sergeant who received his new stripe in front of more than 200 people.

Stripes for Exceptional Performers recognizes military members whose potential may be greater than their current rank.

As the attendees looked on, Colonel Pohland expressed how happy he was to get to recognize "good people who really deserve it."

Squadron leaders were not surprised with Sergeant Dowing's promotion.

"Sergeant Dowing is an excellent choice to be the squadron's newest technical sergeant," said Lt. Col. Rob Lyman, 96th CS commander.

As the NCOIC of boundary protection for the base information shop, Sergeant Dowing leads a team in managing the firewalls and proxy servers for Eglin. He also handles the Time Control Network Orders that govern the safety of the network, as well as performs vulnerability scans and "wardriving," a method of searching the base for unauthorized wireless networks.

"He was already performing at or above the level of technical sergeant and I saw excellent potential," said Tech. Sgt. Delora Silva, Sergeant Dowing's supervisor, who submitted him for the promotion. "He's a good guy and takes care of his troops. He's not afraid to make tough decisions."