Airman gets surprise 'safety brief' Published Jan. 20, 2016 By Maricris Moore Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH -- It all started as an ordinary work day for Staff. Sgt. Christopher Holt of the 342nd Recruiting Squadron. The Health Professions recruiter based in Fairview Heights, Illinois, gathered with his flight mates and everyone's spouses Dec. 21 for a mandatory commander's call via teleconference. He was under the impression they were going to receive their holiday safety briefing. Lt. Col. Michael Alexander, 342nd RCS commander, and Holt's flight chief, Tech. Sgt. Samantha Gan-Flentroy, were also on the conference call. A few minutes into the teleconference, Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, Air Force Recruiting Service commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Charles E. Lamer Jr., AFRS command chief, came on the line to say a few words to the Airmen. The commander asked if Holt was on the line. That's when the staff sergeant realized this wasn't an ordinary safety briefing. Instead, he was promoted to tech sergeant under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program. "I thought I was dreaming. This kind of thing doesn't happen to me," Holt said. "It's always thrilling to promote great Airmen and the opportunity to have a STEP promotion is one of the coolest things you can do as a commander," Harencak said. "I was really proud for Chris and his wife and everything they have done." This was Harencak's first opportunity to present a STEP promotion in AFRS. He said that the competition was incredibly tough because of the outstanding Airmen in AFRS. "Chris' (STEP promotion package) stood out just a little more and I was really happy to have the opportunity." Alexander was enthusiastic about Holt's STEP promotion. "He's a well-rounded NCO, an exceptional performer who brims with leadership potential," he said. "It was an amazing experience to hear Maj. Gen. Harencak and Chief Master Sgt. Lamer make a 'once in a lifetime' call to Tech. Sgt. Holt and his wife, Lindsey, and to hear their elation was priceless." Holt's flight chief was also excited to hear the news. "He is a great NCO and takes initiative in the office," Gan-Flentroy said. "He's our go-to person and always has a positive attitude." Holt, from Ashland City, Tennessee, was an Aerospace Ground Equipment technician when he first joined the Air Force in August 2003. After nine years, he decided to submit a package and give recruiting a try. "I wanted to give back to the Air Force by giving other kids an opportunity to step out of their community to serve and travel the world," Holt said. This promotion has affected Holt personally and professionally. "It has relieved quite a bit a stress off my shoulders as I was having to learn this new job as a Health Professions recruiter, study for tech and study for Course 15. Now I can focus more on Course 15 and the mission," he said. "I enjoy being challenged and this will give me the push that I needed to further my career."