EOD Airman surprised with instant promotion

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Staff Sgt. Charles Howell was performing the presenter role at the 96th Civil Engineer Group awards ceremony here Feb. 4, when an unexpected guest, Brig. Gen. Christopher Azzano, the 96th Test Wing commander, arrived to present an award of his own.

Azzano told the group someone in the room had been promoted via Stripes for Exceptional Performers.  The general announced Howell's name and the quiet, award presenter in the corner suddenly became the presentee.  His award - an immediate promotion to technical sergeant.

"This is a true recognition from the entire chain of command all the way to the top," said Azzano.  "You are here because you wake up each day knowing what you do is important.  You are making a difference and will continue for generations.  I personally thank you for all you do.  This is a rare accomplishment and you've earned it." 

The STEP program offers commanders an opportunity to immediately promote enlisted members to staff sergeant, technical sergeant or master sergeant.  Major commands allocate limited amounts of these promotions each year.

The general told the audience Howell, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, was the wing's only promotee and one of only two selected from the Air Force Test Center.

The wing's command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Creager, informed the 13-year veteran he was out of uniform and presented him his new stripes.

After the applause and congratulations ceased, Howell joked he'd really been studying for his technical sergeant promotion test that was only a month away.

The 35-year-old, Massachusetts native looked over the audience to thank his supervision and leadership, but as he met their faces in the crowd, emotion overtook him and he had to turn away.  He turned into the arms of his wife, 1st Lt. Megan Howell, of the 96th Medical Group, for a congratulatory hug.  The lieutenant secretly snuck into the ceremony, so she could be a part of her husband's surprise promotion.

"I am honored that enough people in my chain of command felt I even deserved this promotion," said the modest, Howell, who said he had had to forego any instant promotion celebration because he had homework due for his college courses.

The last time the wing STEP promoted an Airman was in 2013 when another EOD staff sergeant was also given his technical sergeant stripes.