FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY -- (Nov. 20, 2015) And now there are ten.
That's how many U.S. Army Recruiting Command Soldiers have proved they are experts at their job by earning the elite Master Recruiter Badge. Three were awarded the badge today. The first seven recipients were selected last year.
Of the 346 Soldiers nominated to take the Master Recruiter Badge Competency test this year, only four were selected to move onto the competition phase at USAREC headquarters Nov. 16-20. The newest masters are:
- 1st Sgt. Michael Hartzell, 1st Brigade, Harrisburg Battalion
- 1st Sgt. Richard Conner, 2nd Brigade, Miami Battalion
- Staff Sgt. Robert Eichelberger, 5th Brigade, Houston Battalion
Created to stand up to the expert infantry badge and the expert field medical badge, Victoria Sorensen, G3 division chief of the programs division, said the competition for the master badge was designed to be challenging.
"Being able to earn this badge proves they are a master at their skill as a recruiting profession, and that they understand all the aspects of recruiting," she said. "Recruiters who want to compete have to know and understand their profession, they have to understand all the steps it takes to put somebody in the Army.
"The competition is not just a bunch of questions, it's actual hands on practical exercises of all the different stages of the recruiting process a Soldier must execute in order to put someone in the Army."
The competition consisted of 12 practical examinations and exercises designed to test how well recruiters know and perform their jobs:
1. A written eligibility examination consisting of 20 scenario-based questions
2. Development of a plan in support of center operations plan
3. Processing an application (enlistment)
4. Implementing a school recruiting program
5. Preparing and conducting the ASVAB Career Exploration Program
6. Conducting prospecting activities
7. Conducting follow-up activities
8. Conducting an Army interview
9. Conducting Future Soldier physical readiness training
10. Leading a Future Soldier orientation
11. Completing a Recruiter-Centric Network Examination, and
12. Preparing and conducting an oral presentation.
For Hartzell, earning this badge is all about leadership.
"It means leading by example for my Soldiers … leading from the front like a non-commissioned officer should. That's what it really means to me. … I've encouraged my entire company to take the MRB competency test, and I felt it wouldn't be right if I didn't take the test after encouraging all of them to take it. … It's telling my soldiers that you can do it like I did.
For Conner, it feels great to be recognized for doing your job well.
"It feels amazing. I don't go into anything half-heartedly," he said. "If I want to compete for it, I don't want to come out without it.
"It will also give me a better experience of things I can do to help my Future Soldiers, that I have just one more way that I can help maybe train them a little better, help them grow as well."
Earning this badge means achieving excellence to Eichelberger.
"As a leader if I want to motivate my new recruiting NCOs to achieve excellence, I have to wear the badge," he said. "Earning this badge allows me to mentor, develop, and teach my future subordinates."
Sorensen said anyone interested in participating in future competitions needs to study to make sure they know the regulations associated with their profession. They need to thoroughly understand all the phases of processing an applicant.
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