STEPin’ into new stripes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary
  • AAC Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLA --  A member of the 46th Operations Group was recently promoted to technical sergeant here under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers Program.

Tech. Sgt. Malia Earle, 46th OG training manager, was presented with her new stripes by Col. Gary Plumb, 46th Test Wing Commander, Chief Master Sgt. John Kikta, 46th OG command chief, and her husband, Tech. Sgt. Freddrick Earle, during a surprise promotion ceremony.

"It I am so grateful," she said. "I've never considered myself an 'exceptional performer' rather a your everyday 'Average Joe.' I do (my job) because I enjoy it and I love helping people."

Sergeant Earle's responsibilities include tracking and monitoring training progress of individuals in upgrade training, upgrading personnel to their appropriate skill levels once they've completed all requirements, and tracking and maintaining ancillary training requirements. She is also the 46th OG's Self Aid and Buddy Care, Air Force Training Course, Suicide Prevention and Sexual Assault and Response instructor.

Her supervisor believes the promotion was a great reward for all the hard effort she has put into her career.

"(Sergeant) Earle has had a major impact on the training program for the 46th Operations Group," Robert Bauer, 46th OG Readiness Program Specialist. "She is a direct reflection of the Air Force core values. She gets the job done with outstanding results. The new stripe reflects this technical expertise - her job performance and level of responsibility - which were definitely worthy of a STEP promotion."

The STEP program is designed to recognize exceptional performers for promotion to the grades of staff sergeant through master sergeant. Only 1.25 percent of promotion-eligible Airmen were able to be STEP promoted this year.

The program was tested during fiscal year 1981 and implemented on a permanent basis the following year.