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179th Recruiters Best in the Nation

  • Published
  • By Emily Dech, Staff Reporter
  • Richland Source
MANSFIELD, OHIO - --  Ohio brought home 4 of the 9 Fiscal Year 2014 Region IV Recruiting and Retention Awards!
Master Sgt. Mike Schaefer brought home the title for Recruiting Office Supervisor and will now be competing at the national level.

Region IV FY 14 Award winners.

UCA:  Michigan - MSgt Brian P. Wrozek
Rookie Recruiter:  Indiana - TSgt Ashley M. Harmon
Recruiter:  Pennsylvania - TSgt Alexis (NMN) Galatis
RRNCO:  Ohio - MSgt Kevin R. Conley
Retention Office Manager:  Indiana - MSgt Bridgett Harper
Recruiting Office Supervisor:  Ohio -  MSgt Michael D. Schaefer
RRS:  Ohio -  SMSgt Amanda S. Conaway
Patriot Team:  Pennsylvania - 193 SOW/SOFSS/FPIR
Golden Eagle Award:  Ohio

179th Airlift Wing ranks No. 1 in recruiting - Richland Source: Military

Master Sgt. Efrem Swoope, left, and Staff Sgt. Lincoln Clark, right, are both part of the 179th Airlift Wing recruiting office, which reported the highest number of recruits for fiscal year 2014 among all of the bases in the Air National Guard.
Posted: Sunday, October 19, 2014 4:30 pm
Of the 140-plus units in the Air National Guard, the 179th Airlift Wing recruited the most members during fiscal year 2014.
The Mansfield unit recruited 237 members, which is up from last year's total of 168 recruits. Master Sgt. Efrem Swoope, who serves as the retention office manager, noted, "One hundred sixty-eight recruits was good; so to have over 200 this year, that's just phenomenal."
Swoope attributed the solid recruitment numbers in part to the increased mission. In October of 2013, the 179th Airlift Wing converted its mission from C-27J Spartan to C-130 Hercules, and with this conversion, the number of available jobs increased, he explained.
"We were perplexed at first because it seemed insurmountable when thinking about the number of positions that were open and having to fill them all, but what I've always said for the six-plus years I've been in recruiting and retention is that we're fortunate; we really are because we have such a great rapport with the community and people just seem to flock to us," Swoope said.
Staff Sgt. Lincoln Clark, who has served as production recruiter since February, said that his job has been made easy by all of the members, both current and former, who have shared their work experiences with prospective members. "This whole base recruits," he said.
He added that the recruiters visit high schools and colleges and attend college fairs. "One of the biggest things, though, is word of mouth," he said. "We get a lot of referrals."
By enlisting in the Air Guard, members have 100 percent of their college tuition paid for. "That's one of the biggest draws," Clark said, "along with a lot of the skills that you obtain out here working one weekend a month."
Clark was a sophomore at Akron University when he decided to join the 179th Airlift Wing. Referencing the free college tuition, he said, "That was the biggest draw for me--that I could still go to school and they would pay for my tuition." He also wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, who served in the military.
People sometimes don't realize the multiple and varied opportunities that are offered by the Air Guard. Clark shared, "When people visit our base, or when we talk to people and they ask, 'What do you do?' We do anything you could think of." He listed a number of departments at the base, including the medical unit, public affairs section, human resources, maintenance squadron, communications flight, and security personnel. "There are so many different things you can do here," he said.
He further noted that many people take their experience in the Air Guard to use as a stepping stone for future careers. "A lot of people join to gain that hands-on experience and earn a skill that they can put on a resume," he said.
Every recruit has a unique story and reason why they enlist. Clark commented, "I'm okay with telling individuals that this may not be your retirement plan, but at least let the guard help you get to where you want to go."
"If someone hasn't had the greatest experience...after six years, that's it. You're able to move on. And once you get out, you're always able to get back in," he added.
Clark, who is nearing the end of his six-year enlistment, is looking forward to re-enlist. "Of course I'm going to re-enlist because I love what I do," he said.
One of the most rewarding parts of his job, he said, is "being able to help someone continue with their dreams, whatever they may be."
Swoope also described one of the rewarding aspects of his job, noting, "I brought Airman Clark into the Air National Guard, and several years later he's not only a member, he's also a co-worker. That's huge. That lets me know that I'm bringing quality people into the Air National Guard and that's great."
For those who are interested in joining the Air National Guard, visit GoANG.com or call 800-TO-GO-ANG.

http://www.richlandsource.com/military/th-airlift-wing-ranks-no-in-recruiting/article_43d39b30-53cf-11e4-aa91-001a4bcf6878.html

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