MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Being the new kid on the block is usually a disadvantage for most. There are new surroundings, new faces and new rules of the road to learn. It can be an uphill battle.
That's not the case for the recruiters of the 908th Airlift Wing.
The wingmen, based in Birmingham, Huntsville and at Maxwell, recruit exclusively for the reserves, non-prior service people, for a limited area.
There's also an in-service recruiter who can place separating personnel close to their homes throughout the country.
Between them, they work an area which covers most of Alabama, part of Georgia, half of Tennessee and a chunk of Mississippi.
Technical Sgt. Edward Norris, who works out of Huntsville, brings his people skills from the insurance and financial services profession to the table. Senior recruiter Master Sgt. Cox said his ability to relate and administrative talents are a definite benefit.
"He's very good at what he does," said Sergeant William Cox. "A lot of people have been impressed with him."
Technical Sgt. Philip Fogleman, who mans the Birmingham station, is relentless and dogged and "always on the road" in his quest to find recruits, said Sergeant Cox.
This, coupled with his attention to detail and flawless paperwork are major reasons why he is already close to achieving his goal for this year.
Covering the Montgomery area, Master Sgt. Steven Kramer already knows the ins and outs of the recruiting service, having served in that capacity in the Navy. Although everyone in the office is competitive in a naturally competitive business, Sergeant Cox said that Sergeant Kramer "takes it up one more notch."
Prior service recruiter Master Sgt. Jesse Tremer, who also has active duty experience in the field, covers Maxwell. He has obtained the equivalent of a recruiting hat trick.
He is a recipient of the Gold Badge; the highest honor active-duty Air Force recruiting has to offer, the National Guard's top recruiting honor and made the AFRC Century Club.
The wingmen's competitive drive and experiences served them well at the biannual recruiting conference, held this year at the Air National Guard Combined Readiness Training Center in Savannah, Ga. The office, part of the Eastern Recruiting Squadron, earned top honors for operating locations that support a wing and third place overall.
The team was only out gunned by two officer accession shops, which support multiple wings, and have more available positions to fill.
During the awards dinner, Master Sgt. Steve Kramer was named Top Rookie of the Year. Each member also made the Century Club, given to wingmen that place 150 percent of their mission goals.
Each also won a 110 Percent Badge. The office's success is nothing new, but this amount is rare, according to Sergeant Cox.
"It's unusual to have all your recruiters make Century Club, "he said, "especially in a small ROL like this." Everybody was new to recruiting, still in their first year. They were all in their initial training or supplemental training, which makes it stranger that we won so much."
But they're not resting on their laurels.
For Fiscal Year 2009, the goal was 22 for Sgt. Kramer and 33 for the other offices. This year it's 46 across the board and 35 for Sgt. Tremor, making 173 the office goal. So far, the team is right on target, with 61.
"Everybody's right where they're supposed to be." Sergeant Cox said.
More Media