Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Alexander Hall, 45th Space Wing interim command chief, (right), promote Staff. Sgt. Johnny Chavez, 45th Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems craftsman, to the rank of technical sergeant as part of the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program, or STEP, May 9, 2017, at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. The STEP program allows Air Force leaders to select Airmen with outstanding potential for promotion to the grades of staff sergeant through master sergeant, which occurs outside of a traditional promotion cycle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Phil Sunkel)