Fort Knox, Ky. –
Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Wiemer hosted U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s Top Performing Recruiters for Fiscal Year 2024 in a ceremony Dec. 4, in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon.
“Today is a day to boast and that’s what we are doing. (Recruiters are) always bragging and boasting about the Army and the opportunities it provides,” Weimer said about the top recruiters and their mission.
In addition to Wiemer, Maj. Gen. Johnny Davis, USAREC commanding general, Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday, USAREC senior enlisted adviser, and other senior Army leaders gathered at the Pentagon to laud the top 32 Recruiters for FY 24. During the ceremony, each Recruiter was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal and USAREC Uncle Sam Recruiting plaque.
The Recruiters honored produced the most contracts/board selects from Oct. 1, 2023, through Sep. 1, 2024, and contributed to Recruiting mission success. The top 32 Recruiters enlisted 1,267 new Soldiers (or 2.3% of the entire FY24 mission), 43 new doctors and nurses, 39 new chaplains, and assisted 350 soldiers to attend one of the various United States Army Special Operations Command Selection Courses. These 32 noncommissioned officers are the top .03 percent of the more than 8,500 NCOs assigned as Recruiters.
Both Weimer and Munday spoke about the determination, dedication and perseverance the Recruiters showed to achieve this status. Weimer acknowledged the challenges Recruiters face out in the field.
“I have talked to some of our teammates that lived your journey,” he said to the honorees, “and they will tell you it was one of the toughest things they ever did in their military career, being a recruiter,”
Those honored were able to integrate themselves, some back into their hometowns and others in unfamiliar places and educate the youth of today about the opportunities the Army provides and encourage them to be all they can be.
“I want to say thank you for you dedication and hard work,” said Munday. “Stepping up when the Army needed you. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say without you men and women there is no Army.”
The 32 Recruiters who were recognized at the ceremony include:
Sgt. First Class Mohamed Kaba
Staff Sgt. Jimmy Burnette
Staff Sgt. Comlan Gnonnou
Staff Sgt. Roberto Haroaguilar
Sgt. First Class Nghiem Nguyen
Sgt. 1st Class Oscar Cisneros
Sgt. 1st Class Lang Lafafuaina
Sgt. 1st Class Shaun Salanoa
Sgt. 1st Class Mackenson Joseph
Sgt. 1st Class Angel Zayasgonzalez
Sgt. 1st Class Sudeep Khadka
Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Whitfield
Staff Sgt. Amber Smith
Sgt. 1st Class Peter Vandine
Staff Sgt. Serrano Cartagena
Sgt. Daniel Forman
Sgt. 1st Class Deunique Jackson
Sgt. 1st Class Chashella Martin
Sgt. 1st Class Roman Fedor
Staff Sgt. Eli Segal
Staff Sgt. Michael Simpson
Sgt. 1st Class Alfred Savoy
Sgt. 1st Class Ommar Wolfe
Staff Sgt. Gregory Stephens
Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Davis
Sgt. 1st Class Ahmad Norman
Sgt. 1st Class Dominique Bryant
Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Salabarria
Not able to attend
Staff Sgt. Austin Lyle
Sgt. 1st Class Komi Messanh
Staff Sgt. Sherylrose Otieno
Staff Sgt. Sharmelle Williams