Tech. Sgt. Carly Smith, 22nd Maintenance Squadron munitions operations NCO in charge, watches as her children tack on technical sergeant stripes, Dec. 23, 2015, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Smith was promoted from the rank of staff sergeant to technical sergeant through the Stripes for Exceptional Performance program, which commanders use to promote deserving Airmen one rank without testing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Bernal Del Agua)