919th promotes 3 via PEP

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  Three 919th Special Operations Wing Airmen were promoted the morning of Oct. 3 at Duke Field as part of the Promotion Enhancement Program. 

The Air Force Reserve's PEP program, similar to the Stripes for Exceptional Performers for active duty, is designed to recognize exceptional performers for promotion to the grades of tech sergeant through chief master sergeant. 

(Then) Tech. Sgt. Nikki Brace, 919th Communications Squadron, was the first to find out at the morning's commander's call. Col. Jon Weeks, wing commander, and presented her with master sergeant stripes. 

"I was utterly shocked to hear the wing commander ask for Master Sgt. Nikki Brace," she said. "The surprise brought tears to my eyes and I was overwhelmed with emotions that rendered me speechless. I hope this will inspire others to work hard because there's always somebody looking out for you." 

A little later at a 919th Maintenance Group meeting, Colonel Weeks, and the Chief Master Sgt. Michael Klausutis, wing command chief, presented (then) Tech. Sgt. Oswaldo Roman with another set of master sergeant stripes. 

"It's a moment I'll never forget," said the new master sergeant.  "It's a great feeling to be promoted. All the hard work that goes into what we do on a day to day basis pays off in so many ways... promotion being one."

Finally, the commander and the chief made (then) Staff Sgt. Troy Mellott, 919th Maintenance Squadron, Duke Field's newest technical sergeant. 

Colonel Weeks asked if there was a Tech. Sgt. Troy Mellott present. Sergeant Mellott stepped up and said there was a Staff Sgt. Troy Mellott here. Col Weeks responded "Not anymore. It's tech sergeant." 

"I had thought I hadn't made it, due to the long period of time (for the promotion package)," said Sergeant Mellott. "It feels good to know if you put 110 percent into a career you love, eventually something good will come of the hard work." 

The PEP program is a positive way to motivate and recognize quality Airmen in a reserve unit, according to Chief Klausutis. 

"This is a tool available to our reserve units to promote those Airmen doing high quality work and exceeding the rank they currently wear on their sleeve," said the chief.