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380AEW Article

Airman earns STEP promotion to master sergeant

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. April Lapetoda
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Master Sgt. Jason Ramirez received his senior NCO stripe under the Air Force's Stripes for Exceptional Performers program during a small ceremony at one of the fire stations here Dec. 21, 2013.
"When I was first notified my heart was thankful and my mind was focused, knowing that I have only a finite time to make a positive difference in our Airmen," said Ramirez who currently serves as the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's assistant chief of training and is deployed here from RAF Mildenhall, England.

The STEP program supplements existing Airmen promotion programs and is designed to accommodate unique circumstances that, in the commander's judgment, clearly warrant promotion.

Ramirez's promotion is a testament of who he is as an Airman.

"Master Sgt. Ramirez is the epitome of a professional Airman," said Master Sgt. Christopher Waldrip, the 380 ECES assistant chief of operations and Ramirez's direct supervisor. "He is one of the most driven, intelligent and caring NCOs that I have ever had the honor of serving with. Sergeant Ramirez can be counted on day-in and day-out to perform at the highest possible level, no matter how difficult the task."

Though Ramirez just received his promotion to master sergeant, he plans to continue to work toward his long-term goal.

"My future goal in the Air Force is to inspire and lead our Airmen as a chief master sergeant," said Ramirez, who has served in the Air Force for 14 years and is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii.

Ramirez's supervisor agrees that he not only has the ability to inspire and lead Airmen, but he already does.

"His outstanding attitude is contagious amongst everyone he meets and he brings every person he works with up another level through his own motivation and dedication," said Waldrip. "Ramirez is truly an exceptional performer who earned this stripe every single day!"