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Military family gets belated Christmas gift

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Katherine Tereyama
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J --  "Dear my mom's commander, my mom's an excellent mother and wife to my dad. Please promote my mom."

Some children write letters to Santa Claus, but what Jaquan Dunn, 12-year-old son of Tech. Sgt. Jessica Hill, wanted most couldn't come from the North Pole.

A few short months later, just after Christmas, Jaquan got his wish. His mother was promoted to technical sergeant as the sole member of the 305th Air Mobility Wing to earn Stripes for Exceptional Performers.

The STEP promotion program allows commanders a limited opportunity to immediately promote enlisted members and recognizes Airmen who exhibit exceptional potential. According to Lt. Col. Richard Tanner, 305th Operations Support Squadron commander, no one fit that bill better than Hill.

"She has been filling a master sergeant position for over a year and she makes it look easy," he said. "We took notice - here is a great leader who is absolutely ready for additional responsibilities."

A leader in her work center, the East Chicago, Indiana, native is also a dual-military wife, mother of two young children, devoted daughter supporting her mother and is involved in her church community. Jessica credits her success to hard work and hopes to set an example for her children, giving them the gift of dedication and perseverance.

"The way that I was raised, my mom always worked hard to give me everything I wanted and I want to work hard so I can do the same for my kids," she said. "I instill in them that they have to push themselves to do well."

"She's always been a doer, a go-getter," her mother, Jessie Stevenson said about raising her daughter. "It has been a blessing to watch my daughter grow into the woman she is now. I feel very honored to know that she has accomplished so much."

Her husband, Staff Sgt. Nickolas Hill, was cued into the surprise the morning of her promotion and was able to sneak one of her blouses away to sew on her new stripes. He had some lighthearted advice for her as she assumed the responsibilities of her new rank.

"Don't think you can boss me around," he joked. "No direct orders in the household!"

He followed that with a word of praise for his wife. "She deserves it, she has worked really hard."

In the end, for this close family, her promotion was truly a gift for all.

"I am relieved, happy, excited, overjoyed, surprised," Jessica said after being presented with her new stripes. "I can't wait to go home and tell [the kids] about this promotion."

According to 305th AMW leaders, it's a well-earned reward.

"After 19 months in command, I can sincerely say that this was one of the most fulfilling aspects of this job so far," Tanner said. "It's the culmination of everything we're about - deliver excellence, lead your people and give back to the community around you and great things will happen."

In response to young Jaquan's letter, Tanner simply said:

"Your mom earned the promotion. I was lucky to be there to take notice."