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59 MDW member takes a STEP forward

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Micky M. Bazaldua
  • 59 Medical Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  While attending the wing's monthly promotion ceremony to support his fellow Airmen, Tech. Sgt. David Hernandez had no idea one of the promotions he would be celebrating by the end of the day would be his own.

Hernandez, an ophthalmic technician at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, was promoted during the event by Maj. Gen. Byron Hepburn, 59th Medical Wing commander and director of the San Antonio Military Health System, under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers (STEP) program.

"I felt extremely emotional and speechless when I realized what was happening," said Hernandez. "To feel the disappointment and frustration of being the number one non-selectee for my career field to being promoted the very next day was unreal. It just proved to me that as much as I hated hearing it from different people, everything does happen for a reason".

STEP promotions are a way for commanders to immediately promote enlisted members to the ranks of staff sergeant, technical sergeant or master sergeant. The number of Airmen promoted under the STEP program is incredibly limited.

"Sergeant Hernandez is a stellar performer in everything he does and a top notch NCO - no one is more deserving," said his supervisor, Tech. Sgt. Bryan Spradley.

Just a few of Hernandez's accomplishments while stationed at JBSA-Lackland include serving as NCO in charge of 18 technicians in the Air Force's largest ophthalmic clinic during his supervisor's deployment for five months, leading a humanitarian mission in Peru, and directing Air Education and Training Command's First Term Airmen Center to orient 120 Airmen to their first duty assignment.

Superintendent of Ophthalmology Chief Master Sgt. Erik Kessler, who submitted Hernandez's package for a STEP promotion, echoed Spradley's sentiments by stating, "Hernandez is everything I expect in an NCO. He has a contagious positive attitude regardless of the situation, always takes care of his Airmen, and has no problem saying no when everyone else is saying yes."

Hernandez credits his promotion due to great leadership, an incredible team, and an unbelievable family. "You cannot go anywhere in your career without great leadership providing you with ideas and opportunities to excel, and without a great team around you everything crumbles," he said. "My family also understands that the AF is extremely important to me and they sacrifice so that I can succeed by allowing me the opportunity to keep pushing and work harder without complaint. The people around me motivate me and I could never be more appreciative."

"Having tested three times, I would definitely say to members who were not selected for promotion this cycle to never give up. Resilience is key," added Hernandez. "Don't let your stripes dictate who you are or the amount of effort you give. Give 100 percent effort, nothing less. Always be willing to challenge yourself and the others around you. Just because you are a Senior Airman or Staff Sgt. does not mean you cannot make a difference."

For nomination criteria and package requirements, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.