Air Guard Recruitment Team Recognized with 3 Regional Awards First Quarter FY 2013

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Meaghan E. M. Selki
  • Joint Force State HQ-PA
SANDSTON, Va. --  The Virginia Air National Guard recruiting started the fiscal year strong in 2013 and was awarded for unparalleled performance in Region IV for the first quarter.
Brig. Gen. Zane R. Johnson, Air Component Commander, presented the wing with the Top Accessions Award for an outstanding team effort that resulted in record-high recruitment numbers for the 192nd Fighter Wing. In addition, he recognized and awarded Master Sgt. Neil V. Keane as the Top Accessions Recruiting and Retention Non-Commissioned Officer and Technical Sgt. Kevin W. Singleton as the Top Accessions Production Recruiter.
"The contribution made to the Virginia Air National Guard by our recruiting team is nothing short of outstanding. They have exceeded expectations and goals in every measurable metric, and the personnel added to our roles will greatly enhance our federal and state missions," said Johnson.
Recognition for the outstanding performance of the recruiting team is a reflection of the consistent hard work each member of the team contributes.
"It's great to know you're appreciated, somebody is noticing what you're doing," said Keane.
Recruiting and retention is a function of the Joint Force Headquarters. Keane is specifically assigned to the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron in a one-man shop and performs the recruiting and retention functions for that unit. The other recruiters are assigned to the Virginia Air National Guard recruiting office in Newport News, Va.
The team has been hard at work increasing Virginia's end strength for the Air Guard by six percent since the 192nd Fighter Wing moved from Sandston, Va., to Langley AFB. While the geographic relocation resulted in a new challenge for the recruitment and retention office, they never skipped a beat and met the new challenge with hard work and enthusiasm.
"This level of performance is just the standard right now. I want to go above and beyond that," said Singleton.
"I am very proud of my recruiting staff's accomplishments. The awards are well deserved and acknowledges the outstanding dedication as well as the teamwork of our recruiters working together to complete a common goal of meeting Virginia Air National Guard end strength. I still say that the Virginia Air National Guard has the 'Best Team of Recruiters' in the nation," said Senior Master Sgt. Angela D. Hill, recruiting and retention superintendent.