Grand Forks AFB defender awarded STEP promotion
Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, presents technical sergeant stripes to Staff Sgt. Christopher Giles, 319th Security Forces Squadron, Dec. 22, 2014, at a security forces training facility at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Stripes for Exceptional Performers (STEP) is a program where the Air Force releases a limited number of slots for promotion to enlisted members in the ranks of staff sergeant, technical sergeant and master sergeant. Giles was officially step promoted to his current rank Dec. 16, but was on leave and didn’t find out for approximately six days later. Some of his fellow 319th SFS defenders and his wife were among several people who took part in the surprise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez)