Local recruiters among top in Air Force

Master Sgt. Micheal Kovach (right) is congratulated by 333rd Recruiting Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Jeffrey Waters on being named one of the Air Force’s top recruiters for 2008. The other winner from the 333rd RCS, Staff Sgt. Alpha Tyler, was recently reassigned to Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David Dobrydney)

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Local recruiters among top in Air Force

Published Dec. 19, 2008
By Christa D'Andrea
Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Fourteen Air Force recruiters were named tops in their field for 2008 by Air Force Recruiting Service officials here this month.

Two of them are Master Sgt Michael Kovach and Staff Sgt. Alpha Tyler of the 333rd Recruiting Squadron based in Melbourne.

"Sergeant Tyler was also our top squadron recruiter ('Gold Badge Recruiter') for the year - his second time in three years. Sergeant Kovach leads the number one Enlisted Accessions Flight in the nation," said 333rd RCS Commander Lt. Col. Jeffrey Waters.

"Both epitomize today's American Airman - committed, responsible professionals performing the 'no-fail' mission of recruiting high quality men and women to sustain the combat power of the world's greatest Air Force. I am extremely proud of both recruiters and humbled by their dedicated service," he continued.

Operation Blue Suit program recognizes the best recruiters worldwide for their efforts in recruiting a diverse, high-quality volunteer force to fill career fields critical to the Air Force in accomplishing its missions.

The program selects the best from nearly 1,200 Air Force recruiters worldwide. Winners are nominated by their recruiting groups and selected based on their performance in meeting assigned recruiting goals, leadership qualities and other professional traits.

Air Force Recruiting Service met its enlistment goal for the ninth-consecutive year in 2008, bringing in 27,765 new Airmen against an accessions goal of 27,760. Air Force officials are still hiring and will seek to fill more than 140 enlisted career specialty areas with 31,780 new Airmen in 2009, an increase of 4,000 accessions from fiscal 2008.
"This award is a result of the hard work and dedication my Flight has shown towards the War on Terror," said Sergeant Kovach.

"We are Warrior Airman replenishing the needs of the Air Force, and have sacrificed many long hours towards our recruiting mission. I am honored to represent the 333RCS and the H-Flight Headhunters."

Air Force Recruiting Service officials will recognize Blue Suit winners and their spouses Feb. 23 through 27 in San Antonio.

"We have a critical mission and a tremendous responsibility to this nation - to sustain the combat capability of America's Air Force. There is no other source of bringing in America's best and brightest youth into our great Air Force other than our recruiters," said Brig. Gen. Alfred Stewart, the AFRS commander. "These 14 outstanding recruiters represent the 'best of the best' within our all voluntary recruiting force. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty and they have raised the bar for others to follow suit."

(Editor's Note: Additional information for this article was provided by Airman 1st Class David Dobrydney)