Camp Darby Airman STEP's up in Master department

Published March 18, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Mercedeskimble L. Crossland

03/18/2010 -- Exceptional performers are recognized in many different ways, such as Hope Award, Lance P. Sijan Award and Maintenance Professional of the Year Award, which are only some of the accolades that former Tech. Sgt. David Meeks, 731st Munitions squadron, holds. His newest achievement is earning another stripe.

The new master sergeant was honored during an all call March 12 at Camp Darby by Brig. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., 31st Fighter Wing commander, under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers Program.

"I was very surprised and terrified." Sergeant Meeks said, "I was very proud of myself."

Sergeant Meeks has been at Camp Darby since May 2009; he and his wife Eliana have two children, Cristian and Nicole.

"My wife was very proud of me, something that we take for granted," said Sergeant Meeks. "Military spouses feel for us, they know our worries and concerns. Eliana was very proud of us as a team."

A native of "the sunshine state," Florida, Sergeant Meeks said he aspires to complete his college degree and become a first sergeant.

"Be intuitive on what makes you stand out from others and don't blame others for your failures," Sergeant Meeks said. "Do the best that you can and in the words of retired Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor "Put your name on the mailbox."