Tech. Sgt. Juan Nieves (center), 12th Mission Support Group, braces himself as wife, Maria, and Gen. Stephen Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, tack on his new master sergeant stripes Feb. 23 at AETC headquarters. Sergeant Nieves was selected for promotion from more than a dozen technical sergeants nominated from all over the command under the Stripes To Exceptional Performers, or STEP, promotion program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)

Tech. Sgt. Juan Nieves (center), 12th Mission Support Group, braces himself as wife, Maria, and Gen. Stephen Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, tack on his new master sergeant stripes Feb. 23 at AETC headquarters. Sergeant Nieves was selected for promotion from more than a dozen technical sergeants nominated from all over the command under the Stripes To Exceptional Performers, or STEP, promotion program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)