Top recruiting flight, 25 straight weeks

Master Sgt. Michael Kovach, bottom left, flight chief for H Flight, 333rd Recruiting Squadron was recently named “Top Flight Chief” within all of U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service for the second quarter. But he’s most proud that his team of recruiters have been ranked No. 1 in the nation for the past 25 weeks in a row. Team members include (left to right) Tech. Sgt. Charlie Cauthen, Staff Sgt. James Weltin, an Outstanding Airman of the Year selectee, Staff Sgt. Coby Austin and Staff Sgt. Alpha Tyler. Ms. Kathleen Karpinski is the flight secretary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chris Calkins)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Local flight (still) Number 1; tops in recruiting for 25 straight weeks

Published Aug. 7, 2008
By Chris Calkins
45th SW Public Affairs

USAF RECRUITING OFFICE, MELBOURNE, Fla. -- It's hard making it to the top. And it's even harder staying there, according to Master Sgt. Michael Kovach.

And he should know.

Sergeant Kovach, the flight chief for H Flight, 333rd Recruiting Squadron, was recently named the "Top Flight Chief" within all of U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service for the second quarter.

Being recognized as the best of the best - and he was competing with chiefs from 192 flights from coast to coast - seems to be a pretty impressive accomplishment.

Not to him. He's not overly impressed with himself. But he is with his recruiting team.
"Being selected as the best chief means one thing - and one thing only. It just shows I have a great team of recruiters who make me look good," he said with an easy smile. "I've known it from day one," said the native of Pittsburgh, Pa., who has 14 years in the Air Force.

"I'm not kidding; any supervisor who gets recognized for anything knows who is really responsible for the award... and it's not them," he said.

He said the proof is in the pudding when it comes to the hard work, sacrifice, boundless energy and great enthusiasm he and his team of seven re-cruiters put forth on an everyday basis.

"Can you imagine how hard it is for any recruiting flight to be named Number 1 in the country just one week?" he asked.

"Well my guys have done it. And we've done it for the last 25 weeks in a row. We reached the top of the heap and just stayed there. To me, that's so far ahead of anything I have done it's not even close," he said with emphasis.

The sergeant's commander, Lt. Col. Jeffrey "Muddy" Waters, thinks his flight chief is being modest - and honest.

"Sergeant Kovach is the epitome of what today's Airman stands for. He is accountable, responsible and leads from the front," Colonel Waters said. "And his team feeds off that leadership and should be commended as well."

The sergeant was quick to point out that he and his high-ranking team have much to be thankful for, including Patrick Air Force Base and the 45th Space Wing.

"Most of my Airmen live on the base... the services provided by the 45th are second to none. When a recruiter knows everyone at home is being taken care of by a great group of caring professionals like they have there (at Patrick), it makes it easier for all of us to concentrate on doing our jobs," he said.

"And that's recruiting the best men and women into the greatest Air Force the world has ever known."

Top recruiting flight, 25 straight weeks