Air Force honors top recruiters for 2011

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Hillary Stonemetz
  • Air Force Recruiting Service public affairs
Fifteen Air Force recruiters were named tops in their field for fiscal year 2011 by the Air Force Recruiting Service in a ceremony here Feb. 8.

Known as Operation Blue Suit, the AFRS program recognizes the best recruiters worldwide for their efforts in recruiting a diverse, high-performing 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.

"All those nominated this year were exceptional in every regard--in their professionalism, performance of their duties, efforts to improve themselves and an ongoing commitment to strengthen the command," said Brig. Gen. Balan Ayyar, AFRS commander.

Operation Blue Suit began in 1979 to help bolster production in critical recruiting programs. The competition was originally designed to enhance enlisted recruiting efforts during the traditionally slow months of February through May. It proved so successful that officials expanded it to include officer accessions recruiting.

AFRS officials recognized Blue Suit winners and their spouses Feb. 7-10 in San Antonio, Texas.

The Air Force Blue Suit recruiters for 2011 are:
Capt. Zachary Magnin, 311st Recruiting Squadron
Master Sgt. Dwight Beck, 338th RCS
Master Sgt. Christopher Borum, 362nd RCS
Master Sgt. Michael McWhorter, 369th Recruiting Group
Master Sgt. Adam Reed, 369th RCG
Master Sgt. William Suber II, 367th RCS
Tech. Sgt. John Bowerman, 33rd RCS
Tech. Sgt. Sharita Crishon, 336th RCS
Tech. Sgt. Victor Follis, 364th RCS
Tech. Sgt. Robert Horrell Jr., 344th RCS
Tech. Sgt. Patrick Kelly, 337th RCS
Tech. Sgt. Sean Ohlemacher, 360th RCG
Tech. Sgt. Leonor Roman, 341st RCS
Staff Sgt. Salvador Parson, 349th RCS
Staff Sgt. Lewis Tartt IV, 345th RCS