This past month, I celebrated a personal and professional milestone—my promotion to Technical Sergeant. This promotion was especially meaningful as I was promoted in the same month as my sister, who flew in from Washington, D.C., to promote to Lieutenant Colonel. My husband ((S)Sgt DeWolf) and three sons tacked on my new stripes, while my parents, including my father (a retired Major), were also present to share in this special occasion. In the Air Force, "tacking on stripes" refers to a tradition where a newly promoted Airman has their rank insignia (stripes) lightly tapped or "punched" on to their uniform by a mentor, fellow service member of the same rank or higher, or family members. This signifies congratulations and symbolically secures their new rank in place, representing good luck and ensuring they don’t "lose" their promotion. Although my official promotion date was January 1st, I wanted the cadets to be part of this moment, reinforcing the deep sense of camaraderie and tradition that makes the Air Force so unique.
The promotion to TSgt is one of the most challenging in our enlisted structure, with only a small percentage of Airmen advancing each year. Several factors make this rank particularly difficult to achieve. First, there is intense competition—many highly qualified Staff Sergeants compete for a limited number of promotion slots, making the selection process extremely competitive. Additionally, the transition to TSgt comes with significantly increased leadership expectations, as it marks a shift from technical expertise to supervisory and leadership roles. Beyond that, TSgts are expected to master their Air ForceSpecialty Code (AFSC) at an advanced level while also mentoring and managing junior Airmen. The selection process is rigorous and involves a combination of performance evaluations, test scores, and scrutiny by a promotion board. These high standards ensure that only the most qualified and capable Airmen earn the rank.
The Air Force’s long-standing traditions of promotion and re-enlistment ceremonies serve as reminders of our commitment to service, excellence, and heritage. As I step into this new role, I am incredibly grateful for the wisdom of my fellow cadre members and the lessons I continue to learn from the exceptional cadets I instruct. I am proud to be part of the world's greatest Air Force, and I look forward to seeing each of you grow into incredible Air Force Officers.
