Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, 82nd Training Wing commander, and the Ream family tack master sergeant stripes on Master Sgt. Chad Ream from the 373rd Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Dec. 30 after he was selected for promotion under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program. The STEP program releases a limited number of slots each year to major commands to fill for ranks E-5 through E-7. (U.S. Air Force / photo courtesy)