Colorado's AF Reserve recruiters receive top honors for 2012

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Derrick Gildner
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Four members of the Air Force Reserve Command's recruiting offices located throughout Colorado took several top honors for fiscal year 2012 and earned a team medal for Top Operation location. The Colorado recruiting team received these accolades at the annual Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting awards banquet Oct. 25 in Savannah, Ga.

Tasked with the challenges of recruiting and enlisting highly-motivated and dedicated recruits into the various career fields within the Air Force Reserve, Master Sgt. Akoni Mirafuentes, Recruiting Services Assistant Senior Recruiter, said he was impressed with the entire team's dedication and hard work as a whole by their ability to meet and exceed expectations across the recruiting field.

"All of the reserve recruiter offices along the Front Range were able to exceed quotas while also achieving several superior performance awards," said Mirafuentes. "The office was fortunate to have the talents of one of their newest recruiters take top honors for fiscal year 2012."

Making a big debut onto the recruiting scene was Tech. Sgt. Tracey Barry, from the Colorado Springs, Colo. office. Barry, previously an active duty Air Force dental technician from West Palm Beach, Fla., exceeded expectations during her rookie year by achieving 219 percent of recruiting goals.

"You can only win [Top Rookie Recruiter of the Year] once in your career, so it meant a lot to me, lots of hard work went into 2012," Barry said. "For the next year, the plan is to achieve the Century Club Award in the recruiting field, by completing 150 percent or higher of the projected yearly quota," she added. "The part of my job I love is the ability to help folks better themselves and change their lives in a positive way."

Another top performer making a big impact for the Air Force Reserve space mission was Master Sgt. Sherrie Eden, Air Force Reserve line recruiter at the 302nd Airlift Wing from Waynesboro, Va. and former active duty paralegal. Describing her achievements in 2012 Eden said, "I was able to be in the top 50 of all [Air Force Reserve] recruiters."

Recruiting Airmen for space profession positions is of critical importance for this evolving Air Force mission. "Nearly half of my enlistments went to fill the diverse space missions with the 310th Space Wing." Eden tied for first place in a challenge issued by Gen. William L. Shelton, commander, Air Force Space Command and received the commander's recognition coin for her efforts. The general requested wing recruiters to find placements for critically manned space operations positions. Eden placed 48 percent of her recruits in Air Force Space Command for 2012.

By finding the right recruit for the right opportunity, Eden is able to meet tomorrow's needs with today's potential talent.

"The best part of my job is watching people take their oath of enlistment, I feel 're-blued' each time," Eden said. "It feels like you are able to be a life coach or mentor, and able to provide guidance for others seeking to make positive changes in their lives."

The Air Force Reserve as a command exceeded its objective with 8,116 accessions for 101 percent of its 8,031 goal for fiscal year 2012.

Colorado FY 2012 Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service Awards:

Tech. Sgt. Tracey Barry (Colorado Springs office) - Gold Medal for Rookie Recruiter
of the Year and Silver Medal for Superior Performance

Master Sgt. Cherri Marin (Aurora office)- Gold Medal for Top Enlisted IMA Recruiter

Team Peterson- Silver Medal for Top Operating location

Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Silva (Aurora office)- Silver Medal for Top Rookie Recruiter and - Silver Medal for Superior Performance

Master Sgt. Sherrie Eden (Peterson AFB office)- Silver Medal for Superior Performance