U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Curtis, center, a quality assurance inspector assigned to the 509th Maintenance Group, stands with Brig. Gen. Paul Tibbets IV, the 509th Bomb Wing commander, and senior leadership after being notified of his immediate promotion to technical sergeant at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 11, 2016. Through the Stripes for Exceptional Performance (STEP) program, Curtis competed at the MAJCOM level and was one of eight selected to be promoted from the rank of staff sergeant to technical sergeant. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jazmin Smith)