Three hundred applicants needed for recruiting duty

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brandon Rizzo
  • 916 Air Refueling Wing
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service is now seeking applicants to fill recruiting positions in locations across the globe.

The goal of the 916th Air Refueling Wing recruiting station here is to submit eight to 10 applications from wing members for the "Recruit the recruiter" program by August 31.

The selected applicants will be placed on a three to four-year active-duty tour.

"You get the best of both worlds," said Senior Master Sgt. Ellen D. Shaheed, the senior recruiter here. "You get the active-duty base pay, housing allowance, rations and an additional $450 in special-duty pay, but you still get promoted by reserve standards.

"This is not for everybody though," said Sergeant Shaheed. "It's a rewarding job, but it can be tough too. You have to really want to do it.

"There are some requirements for applying," said Sergeant Shaheed. "You must be at least a SrA and have completed Airman Leadership School, must have served at least one year in the Air Force Reserve, must not have more than 16 years of active duty service, must possess high moral standards and must be physically fit and have a passing fitness test score."

In addition to finding qualified applicants for careers in the Air Force Reserve, a recruiter interacts with the community and serves as a representative of the Reserve 24 hours a day.

"We're always looking for enthusiastic, qualified people. If you are motivated to excel, perform above the status quo, and are physically and morally fit this could be the career move you've been looking for," said Chief Master Sgt. Dave Schoch, chief of the AFRC Recruiting Service training branch.

The application process for 916th ARW members begins with a face-to-face interview with Sergeant Shaheed.

"If the interview is successful and you meet the qualifications, you will then complete an application packet," said Sergeant Shaheed. "The packet will be endorsed by the wing commander and sent to our headquarters for review. If your packet is selected, you will be sent to the evaluation selection course at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia."

Applicants are evaluated on "potential to become a successful recruiter." The course is five-days long and is designed to introduce prospective candidates to reserve recruiting. During this course, candidates will undergo an open-ranks inspection, participate in physical training, give speeches, and complete memorization work. Challenges are progressive. The top candidates are afforded the opportunity to attend the recruiter class.

The recruiting course at Lackland AFB, Texas, is six-weeks long.

"This is one of the most challenging technical schools in the Air Force. These six weeks will prepare you to be a mission-ready recruiter," said Senior Master Sgt. Barry Kowald, an instructor at the school. "Standards here are high."

Instruction includes Air Force Reserve benefits and entitlements, program selection criteria, advertising and promotion, community relations, speech, and salesmanship. Course emphasis is on student performance and practical application.

Sergeant Shaheed said the job is about the desire to help other people and the Air Force Reserve.

For members here, it is also about helping out the 916th ARW.

"I get a chance to help a lot of people achieve the goals they've set for themselves," said Sergeant Shaheed. "Sometimes they have goals outside of the military, and the Air Force Reserve is the road to help them achieve those goals."

An initial recruiting tour of extended active duty can last up to four years. Tour extensions are reserved for those who "meet or exceed the highest standards of conduct, demeanor, appearance, integrity, production, and acceptance of responsibility, said Chief Schoch.

Literature regarding the program is available at the squadrons. Ask your first sergeant or unit commander if you would like to view an application before filling one out.

For more information, contact the local Air Force Reserve recruiter or senior recruiter in your area, or call Senior Master Sgt. Ellen D. Shaheed at DSN 722-2726, or commercial (919) 722-2726.