FORT KNOX, Ky. –
This week 32 Soldiers from across the country traveled to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to participate in the Master Recruiter Badge competition. After a week of intense testing and preparation, 20 Soldiers emerged as experts in the recruiting field and earned the Master Recruiter Badge in a ceremony at U.S. Army Recruiting Command headquarters, Dec. 8.
The following Soldiers demonstrated expert knowledge and received the badge:
1st Recruiting Brigade:
- Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Brown
- Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Dimmerling
- Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Olavarria
- Sgt. 1st Class Eric Rutland
3rd Recruiting Brigade:
5th Recruiting Brigade:
- Sgt. 1st Class Scott Floe
- Sgt. 1st Class Adam Harvey
- Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McCoy
6th Recruiting Brigade:
- Capt. Norman Hopkins
- Sgt. 1st Class Randall Allred
- Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Bellefeuille
- Sgt. 1st Class Cory Cobb
- Sgt. 1st Class Mark Harr
- Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Trop
Medical Recruiting Brigade:
- Sgt. 1st Class Jamiel Vergara
Recruiting and Retention College:
- Sgt. 1st Class Michael Colon-Gonzalez
- Sgt. 1st Class Sean Davis
- Sgt. 1st Class Justin Drake
- Sgt. 1st Class Terry Howlett
- Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mease
To earn the coveted award, recruiting noncommissioned officers must complete the Master Recruiter Badge competency test and execute a hands-on practical exercise.
Soldiers are evaluated in the following areas:
- A written eligibility examination
- Development of a plan in support of station operations
- Process an enlistment application
- Implement a school recruiting program
- Conduct prospecting activities
- Overcome obstacles
- Conduct an Army interview
- Conduct the Occupational Physical Assessment Test
- Lead a future Soldier (Future Soldier Orientation)
- Recruiter-centric network examination and community partner event
“I think this level of competency is something that we should all aspire to have in each of our individual jobs,” said Col. Fred Hockett, U.S. Army Recruiting Command Deputy Commanding Officer-Support. “What you’ve done and what you’ve demonstrated over the last couple of weeks and months is absolutely fantastic. Thank you all for leading from the front on this.”
The first Master Recruiter Badge competition was held in fiscal year 2014. To this day, the command has now certified 115 master recruiters.