380th Airmen selected for promotion to technical sergeant Published July 3, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Swearingen 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The rank of technical sergeant is said to be one of the hardest to make. This year, with competition at an ultimate high, was no different for Airmen assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. June 26, 2014, was a day of accomplishment for many staff sergeants as they were given the heavily-anticipated news that they made technical sergeant. Of the 38,344 staff sergeants eligible for promotion to technical sergeant, 6684 were selected, a 17.43 percent selection rate. In celebration of this monumental moment in our Airmen's careers, the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Enduring 5/6 Council hosted a technical sergeant release ceremony honoring the 42 Airmen selected here. Brig. Gen. John Quintas and Chief Master Sgt. Avery Jones "tacked" on the stripes that each selectee will soon be wearing. The selectees were amped for their opportunity to walk across the stage--waiving at their friends, shimmying to the beat of AC/DC's Thunderstruck and posing for their big moment. With great news, comes great responsibility. Operating at the tactical expertise level of leadership, technical sergeants are the technical experts within their organization. They must continuously strive to further their development as technicians, supervisors and leaders through on and off-duty professional development opportunities. According to the Enlisted Force Structure, they are responsible for their subordinates' development and their effective accomplishments of all assigned tasks. In addition, they must ensure that the mission is effectively and efficiently accomplished. A special thanks to those who did an amazing job coordinating the event and a huge congratulation to our newest technical sergeant selects!