One of the most important contacts in a recruiter's telephone is the Center of Influence (COI). For a recruiter, a key COI is a fire starter. He or she can make a phone call and things happen in the community to support the Army. That COI can inspire their peers to become life-long Army Advocates. Recently, two recruiters watched as their COI-development efforts within their families resulted in their children putting on the mantle of community service and service to country.
For Sgt. 1st Class Michael Wiggins, a Soldier since 1994, and recruiter since September 2002, his role as family COI was validated when one of his three sons was recently named an Eagle Scout. Sgt. 1st Class Michael Wiggins has adeptly cultivated his role as father, Soldier, creative recruiter and leader. When he became a recruiter, he included his two younger sons, Colton, 14, and Jason, 11, in a multitude of recruiting activities, exposing them, by example, to what it means to be a Soldier, leader and father. The payoff for Sgt. First Class Wiggins' investment in building this strong family bond came on June 23, when Life Scout Colton T. Wiggins, earned the Eagle Scout rank.
In March, Life Scout Wiggins, of Troop 468, Lakeland, GA, completed his Eagle Scout Service Project by leading, motivating and directing Boy Scouts of Troop 468, a group of adults, and Valdosta Recruiting Station Future Soldiers to build and concrete six picnic tables, improving conditions at Lake Erma, Hampton, GA. The project also included the replacement and repair of boardwalks at Robert Simmons Nature Trail in Lakeland, GA. According to the Boy Scouts of America, the Life Rank is achieved when a scout is active in their troop and patrol for at least six months as a Star Scout, and earns an additional five merit badges for a total of 11. Eagle Scouts must earn a total of 21 merit badges, including 12 additional badges; and live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law--much like Soldiers follow the Soldier's Creed and seven Army Values.
On July 3, Pvt. 1st Class Krizia Alvarez, reported to basic training. Upon completion of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), she will be a Behavioral Specialist. She says she wants to help Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and other battle deployments adjust into a civilian environment. Pvt. 1st Class Alvarez said she is carrying on a family tradition, following in her father's boots, becoming a Soldier. The 18-year-old is the older of First Sergeant Carlos Alvarez-Velez's two daughters. According to Pvt. 1st Class Alvarez, her father is her primary Center of Influence.
"Once I was sure I wanted to join the Army he would leave work early to come work out with me. Physical Training (PT) can be one of the toughest things for new Soldiers to get used to but my father wanted me to be successful so he made the sacrifice to help me start off right with my physical training," she said.
That sacrifice was monumental for 1st Sgt. Alvarez, formerly of the Valdosta Recruiting Company. It involved driving to Plant City, in the Tampa area, on a regular basis, where his family lives, to help his daughter build up her Soldier skills. As a member of the ROTC in Durant Senior High School, Pvt. 1st Class Alvarez said she knew what to expect from the Army, but she added, with her father as an example, and the support of her family, she's been preparing to be a Soldier all her life.
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