AFMC Command News

Staff to tech in one STEP

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • Electronic Systems Center Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Staff Sgt. Lee Feldhausen, a defense paralegal in the Hanscom Area Defense Counsel office, got the shock of his Air Force career at the 66th Air Base Wing annual awards banquet Feb. 10 when Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Chuck Johnson surprised him with an instant promotion to technical sergeant. 

The promotion, awarded under the Stripes To Exceptional Performers, or STEP, program, came on top of Sergeant Feldhausen receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award during the banquet, which was held at the Hanscom Club. 

Under the STEP program, commanders are allowed to instantly promote an outstanding enlisted member, based on an exceptional career record both on and off the job. The sergeant was nominated for a STEP promotion by Capt. Shawntell Mullins, the Area Defense Counsel. 

Traditionally, commanders do their best to truly surprise the individual, often devising elaborate schemes to present the stripes in front of co-workers, family and friends. General Johnson's plan worked to a tee. 

In his comments while receiving his Volunteer of the Year Award, Sergeant Feldhausen, a die-hard fan of the Seattle Seahawks who was still hurting after his favorite team's loss to the Pittsburg Steelers in Super Bowl XL, talked about the Seahawks being "robbed." He returned to his seat, but soon was called back to the stage by General Johnson, joining ABW Commander Col. Tim Ceteras and Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, Command Chief, who were both grinning from ear to ear. The general said he would like the sergeant to shake hands with Lt. Col. Bill Ellis, the general's executive officer and a well-know

n fan of the Steelers, to show there were no hard feelings over the Super Bowl.
"While I was up there, the general called my wife Casey to the stage, and after a few more comments, said 'We have something for you Casey,'" the sergeant explained. "He then handed her a folder, and when she opened it, she found the tech(nical) sergeant stripes." 

"Casey opened the folder, saw the stripes, and quickly shut it in disbelief," Chief Sirois said. "General Johnson said 'Show it to him.' When Lee saw the stripes, he was amazed." 

"I was so surprised, it was surreal. I felt like I was in a dream," Sergeant Feldhausen said. "I had been working long and hard to earn tech(nical) sergeant stripes, so I was very honored and very humbled to receive them through a STEP promotion." 

"It's exciting to see that, when people work very hard at their job and are well rounded, they can be recognized publicly for their efforts," Chief Sirois said. "Lee Feldhausen is truly an exceptional performer. He was recognized as the Air Force-level Paralegal of the Year, which speaks volumes about his professional work ethic. Then, when you look at his community work, which includes, among many things, serving as Patriot Enlisted Association president, working Toys for Tots drives, and working with the Air Force Sergeants Association, you can see that he truly deserves this honor." 

General Johnson enjoyed surprising Sergeant Feldhausen, but even more, he enjoyed promoting him in recognition of his outstanding performance. 

"There are few things as rewarding for a commander as promoting someone on the spot under the STEP program," General Johnson said. "This young man has had a stellar career so far, and I am sure he will continue to shine and do great things for our Air Force for years to come." 

Sergeant Feldhausen said that, once the shock of his promotion wore off, he and his wife celebrated, but, over the weekend, "Casey got busy immediately, sewing on my stripes."