Airman’s small STEP for big change

(Left to right) Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Lantagne, 325th Fighter Wing command chief, Tech. Sgt. Rodolfo Garza, 325th FW Command Post training NCO in charge and Col. Derek France, 325th FW commander, pose for a photo to commemorate Garza’s Stripes for Exceptional Performance award Jan. 5 at the 325th FW command post. Garza was among 17 of his peers to be nominated for the award. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Airman’s small STEP for big change

Published Jan. 8, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Ty-Rico Lea
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Technical Sgt. Rodolfo Garza, 325th Fighter Wing Command Post training NCO in-charge, was awarded a Stripes for Exceptional Performance promotion by Col. Derek France, 325th FW commander, on Jan. 5.

"I'm very proud of my selection," said Garza. "I knew that if I continued to work hard I would eventually earn the stripe."

"Because of the huge manpower shortages during the summer at the command post, we really needed someone to step in and fulfill the responsibilities that are normally held by senior NCOs in the command center," said Allen Kelly, 325th FW Command Post Chief. "That is the primary reason I put him in for the STEP promotion."

Garza's STEP promotion package highlighted his entire Air Force career and was not just about doing an extraordinary job here at Tyndall. Garza has been enlisted for 12 years and during this time has earned a CCAF degree in Applied Science Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology, a Bachelors of Technical Management Degree from Embry Riddle University and is currently working toward a MBA in Human Resources.

"I've been lucky enough to have great leadership throughout my entire career and I've had great mentors who've assisted me in getting me to where I am today," said Garza. "I worked as an aircraft maintainer before retraining into command and control and both have shown me a variety of leadership."

According to Air Force Instructions 36-2502 paragraph 2.10, the STEP program supplements existing Airman Promotion programs and is designed to accommodate unique circumstances that, in the commander's judgment, clearly warrant promotion. It is intended to provide a means to promote Airmen for compelling, although perhaps not quantifiable, reasons. Isolated heroic acts or specific achievements should not be the sole basis for promotion under this program.

"Fulfilling the responsibilities as the training, security and in-console operations NCO are huge tasks for a Staff Sergeant and he performed them superbly," said Kelly. "We didn't miss a beat with him taking over these roles despite others transitioning from our office."