An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Due to the government shutdown, this website is not being updated.
***Workforce Resources***

AFDW NCO earns STEP promotion

  • Published
  • By Aletha Frost
  • Public Affairs
Air Force District of Washington --  Air Force District of Washington Commander Maj. Gen. Darrell Jones and Command Chief Master Sgt. Pat Battenberg awarded a STEP master sergeant promotion to Tech. Sgt. Sarita Phillips.

Sergeant Phillips is a manpower technician assigned to AFDW manpower and personnel.

"Sergeant Phillips has consistently performed as a senior noncommissioned officer in manpower since she arrived in 2008," said Ms. Michele Shamberger, AFDW chief manpower and organization.

She was the 2008 AFDW Mapower and Personnel's NCO of the year award. Among her other accomplishments, Sergeant Phillips masterfully managed $1.5 billion in resources and interpreted Air Force policy and guidance for 79 worldwide manpower locations.

A trailblazer in every aspect, she recently scored 97.5 on her physical fitness test and is an AFDW physical training leader and certified Cross Fit instructor.

When asked how she felt about being STEP promoted, Sergeant Phillips was elated and couldn't believe that this was happening to her and recalls the moment of her promotion:

She was sitting at her cubicle, minimizing a window and getting ready to go on break. "No one ever sneaks up on me at my desk. I just can always tell there's someone there," said Sgt. Phillips. But someone had entered her cubicle...General Jones approached then Tech. Sgt. Phillips with a wry smile, asking how her day was. "I mean, it was the general, I was so shocked. So I just said, 'Fine sir, just fine.' I really didn't know what to say." General Jones asked if there was any way they could make the day better - perhaps with a promotion. "You had better call your husband and tell him you're now a Master Sergeant, Master Sgt. Phillips," said the General.

"I just got up and screamed. I couldn't believe it. I just didn't know what to do with myself," said Sergeant Phillips. "The next day I knew I just had to come in and focus on the tasks at hand and just worry about what is in front of me."