Maj. Gen. Wilson promotion

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Nancy Wilson pins the second star on Maj. Gen. Stephen Wilson, Eighth Air Force commander, during his promotion ceremony at the Barksdale Club July 15. General Wilson was frocked to the rank of major general. Frocking is a term for a commissioned officer selected for promotion which allows them to wear the insignia of the higher grade before the official date of promotion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Stives)

'The Mighty Eighth' commander receives second star

Published July 15, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
Eighth Air Force Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- In ceremony attended by more than 20 general officers from throughout Barksdale Air Force Base, the commander of Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) collected some new hardware.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Wilson was frocked to the rank of major general during a promotion ceremony at the Barksdale Club July 15, surrounded by his family, his family of Air Force Airmen and local civic leaders.

The presiding officer of the ceremony was Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command.

"I am really honored to be able to continue to serve in our Air Force and lead Airmen - it's a dream come true," said General Wilson.

Frocking is a term for a commissioned officer selected for promotion which allows them to wear the insignia of the higher grade before the official date of promotion (the "date of rank"). The need to frock is because the number of people who may serve in a particular rank is restricted by federal law. Thus, even though an individual may have been selected for promotion and confirmed by the Senate, they must often wait for a vacancy to occur in order to be officially promoted.