Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, Pacific Air Forces commander, presents Staff Sgt. Kristy Lynn Negron, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of PACAF Executive Services, with a certificate of recognition for her Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion to technical sergeant, at PACAF Headquarters, Hawaii, Dec. 20, 2012. The STEP program allows major commands, field operating agencies, direct reporting unit commanders, and senior Air Force officers with large enlisted populations to select a limited number of Airmen with exceptional potential for promotion to the grades of staff sergeant through master sergeant. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Tayborn/Released)