Team seeks Airmen ready for 'something different'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey
  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Air Education and Training Command officials here encourage Airmen seeking to do "something different" during their Air Force career to apply for special duty assignments.

To spread the word, members of the Air Force Recruiting Service Recruiter Screening Team visit Air Force bases across the nation year-round, sharing information about opportunities to serve as recruiters, technical school and basic military training instructors. This year there are openings for about 500 recruiters, 205 technical school instructors in various career fields and about 200 MTIs.

Comprised of former successful recruiters who worked their way up to flight chiefs or production superintendents, Recruiter Screening Team members especially welcome questions about recruiting duty qualifications, the application process and their own experiences.

"We like folks who are hard working, self-motivated, enthusiastic, resilient and tenacious," said Master Sgt. Craig Ploessl, team noncommissioned officer in charge. "These traits are typical among recruiters and what we specifically look for in potential recruiters."

Team members look forward to heading out to the bases each season to shake hands with the next generation of Airmen who are looking for something different, Sergeant Ploessl said. Other reasons Airmen volunteer to become recruiters are "to give back to the Air Force," they were looking for "something different and rewarding" and the ability to choose the location in which they would recruit.

"As long as there is an opening and they are the most qualified based on permanent change of station rules, they will get selected for the location," Sergeant Ploessl said. "Regardless, they are only considered for locations they apply to be assigned."

Tech. Sgt. Lexi Miller served as a medical laboratory technician and Office of Special Investigations special agent before she became a 311th Recruiting Squadron recruiter in May 2007. Today she works successfully in her hometown of York, Pa. She defines the special duty as "a way to help people have a great career and way of life."

"I love this job, I finally found what I was meant to do," said the 17-year veteran.

Although she enjoys her work, she advises that successful recruiting requires long hours and dedication to find ideal recruits -- high school graduates who are set on joining the Air Force, have no physical, legal or moral issues, and are open to a variety of Air Force jobs.

The first step to applying for recruiting duty is to read the fact sheet, "Becoming a Recruiter," at www.rs.af.mil/library/factsheet.asp?id=5468. The document shares insights into the recruiting world, how to gain release from one's career field, financial aspects, recruiter expectations, goals, eligibility, selection, recruiting school requirements, frequently asked questions, how to apply and more. The Recruiting Screening Team base visit schedule is also listed on the fact sheet.

Airmen who procrastinate applying for recruiting duty until they are too near their separation dates or dates eligible to return from overseas will not be selected, Sergeant Ploessl said. The application process can take a few months to complete and requires good timing to meet retainability requirements.

For additional information about the team, contact the screening team office at (210) 565-0584, DSN 665-0584 or e-mail rst@rs.af.mil.

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