Seven 'Eagles" selected for E-8 stripes

  • Published
  • By U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center
  • Public Affairs
FORT DIX, N.J. --  Seven master sergeants from the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center were selected for E-8 stripes March 12.

The senior master sergeant selectees are:

Master Sgt. Eugene F. Bardot IV, Mobility Operations School 

Master Sgt. Troy S. Coville, MOS
 
Master Sgt. Kevin P. Edwards, 421st Combat Training Squadron 

Master Sgt. Steven M. Minard, MOS
 
Master Sgt. Scott P. Pepper, 421st CTS
 
Master Sgt. Michael A. Steinkraus, MOS Detachment 1, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
 
Master Sgt. Jacinda G. Rivers, MOS Det. 1 

"The USAF EC's promotion rate was 17.9 percent," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Helm, USAF EC command chief. "We were far above the Air Force's average."

According to Air Force News, public law restricts the number of E-8s to two percent of the enlisted force, so senior master sergeant promotions are "highly competitive."  The Air Force selected 1,284 of 14,404 eligible master sergeants for promotion to senior master sergeant, an 8.91 percent selection rate.