Hard work pays off for 3 Aviano Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine Windish
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  "I see you're wearing the wrong uniform - it has the wrong rank on it," said Brig. Gen. C.Q. Brown, 31st Fighter Wing commander.

This was the general's modus operandi while promoting three Aviano Airmen this month through the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program. The STEP program is traditionally a surprise to the Airmen being promoted, a way to reward hard working Airmen who have put in extra effort. This year on Aviano Air Base, the promotions came just in time for the holidays.

Newly promoted Tech. Sgts. William Moore and Monique Fernandez, and Master Sgt. Nakita Miller were "pinned on" by General Brown, and Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Craver, 31st FW command chief.

All three NCOs were nominated by their leadership for exhibiting good work ethic, outstanding leadership skills, initiative and personifying the term "Airman."
Sergeant Moore, 555th Aircraft Maintence Unit aircraft armament weapons load crew chief, is a native of Dumas, Texas. Since arriving at Aviano in 2007, he was key to his unit's success during the Oct. 2009 NATO SRIKE evaluation and the September 2010 Logistics Compliance Assessment Team inspection, among other mission-essential tasks.

Sergeant Fernandez, 31st Communications Squadron cyber systems operations supervisor, has won numerous military awards for her leadership and work ethic. She has resolved problems in the workplace by creating new processes that saved the Air Force thousands of dollars. The Visalia, Calif. native has volunteered many hours to base committees, helping raise several thousand dollars for important organizations and base events.

Sergeant Miller, 31st Medical Support Squadron, has dedicated much of her time to continuing her education, earning two Community College of the Air Force degrees, in medical laboratory technology and social services, a Bachelor's in management and human resource, a master's degree in education. She is currently working on a second Masters degree in business management. Sergeant Miller has also won numerous squadron and group level awards and exemplifies the military's fit-to-fight mentality by scoring 100 percent on her most recent physical fitness test.