FORT KNOX, Ky. –
Seventeen recruiters from across U.S. Army Recruiting Command earned the coveted Master Recruiter Badge at the command headquarters here today.
The competition began Monday with 68 Soldiers and continued throughout the week with various tasks and tests to measure how well recruiters know and perform their jobs. The competition was designed to be challenging, and only those with expert knowledge and skills in the field earn the Master Recruiter Badge.
In order to earn this badge, recruiting Soldiers must demonstrate knowledge competency through the Master Recruiter Badge Competency Test and then execute hands-on application through graded practical exercises. Soldiers were evaluated on the following areas:
(1) A written eligibility examination
(2) Development of a plan in support of station operations
(3) Process an enlistment application
(4) Implement a school recruiting program
(5) Conduct prospecting activities
(6) Overcome obstacles
(7) Conducting an Army Interview
(8) Conduct the OPAT
(9) Lead a Future Soldier (Future Soldier Orientation)
(10) Recruiter-centric network examination and community partner event
The first Master Recruiter Badge competition was held in September 2014 when 10 recruiters earned the badge. The 17 new badge owners are now part of the 64 total Army recruiters who have earned the badge. This is the first year an officer competed and received this award.
The following personnel demonstrated their expert knowledge and earned the Master Recruiter Badge:
Recruiting and Retention College:
Maj. Kenneth Kovach
Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Bishop
Sgt. 1st Class Colby McCartney
Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Paulhamus
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schwenk
1st Recruiting Brigade:
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Hodge Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion
Sgt. 1st Class Scott Key Richmond Recruiting Battalion
Staff Sgt. James Everly Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion
2nd Recruiting Brigade:
1st Sgt. Stacey McCarty Montgomery Recruiting Battalion
Sgt. 1st Class Curtis Dimsdale Raleigh Recruiting Battalion
Sgt. 1st Class John Hand Raleigh Recruiting Battalion
Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Walters Baton Rouge Recruiting Battalion
Staff Sgt. Justin Herrington Columbia Recruiting Battalion
Staff Sgt. Joshua Sulkers Baton Rouge Recruiting Battalion
3rd Recruiting Brigade:
1st Sgt. Stephen Coghill Chicago Recruiting Battalion
Sgt. 1st David Epp Indianapolis Recruiting Battalion
Staff Sgt. Christopher Button Great Lakes Recruiting Battalion