31st FSS Airman STEPs up to technical sergeant

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  A 31st Force Support Squadron Airman received one of the biggest surprises of her Air Force career during a commander's call hosted by Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, at the Personnel Alert Holding Area Jan. 10.

What was supposed to be just an hour of listening to the general, turned into a promotion party for then-Staff Sgt. Fannie Garner when the USAFE commander presented her a fifth stripe through the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program.

"The problem we have is that your (office) is overmanned with staff sergeants here," General Welsh said to Sergeant Garner, when he called her up on stage. "The only way you're going to be able to stay at Aviano is if we make you a tech. What do you think?"

It was a special day for Sergeant Garner as General Welsh and Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, pinned on her technical sergeant stripes.

"I can't believe it is real," Sergeant Garner said. "I think my promotion is awesome and a blessing from God. I am very thankful to my supervisor and leadership for putting me in for it. I am proud because a lot of people have not only said congratulations, but also that I deserve it. One person said to me that out of all of the people who they have seen get STEP promoted that I was the only one who deserved it. That makes me feel really good. This was truly an accomplishment."

Sergeant Garner has earned her Community College of the Air Force degree and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. Before arriving at Aviano Air Base in March 2008, the NCO served as an Airman Leadership School instructor at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

The STEP program is traditionally a surprise to the Airmen being promoted and is a way to reward hard working Airmen.