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20 Soldiers master their craft

By Kelsie SteberDecember 27, 2023

20 Soldiers master their craft
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Fred Hockett, U.S. Army Recruiting Command Deputy Commanding Officer – Support, provides remarks during an award ceremony, Dec. 8, 2023, in USAREC Headquarters at Fort Knox, Kentucky. (U.S. Army photo by Lara Poirrier) (Photo Credit: Kelsie Steber) VIEW ORIGINAL
20 Soldiers master their craft
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Recruiting Command awards 20 recruiters with the Master Recruiter Badge after a week-long competition during a ceremony, Dec. 8. 2023, in USAREC Headquarters at Fort Knox, Kentucky. (U.S. Army photo by Lara Poirrier) (Photo Credit: Kelsie Steber) VIEW ORIGINAL
20 Soldiers master their craft
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Recruiting Command awards 20 recruiters with the Master Recruiter Badge after a week-long competition during a ceremony, Dec. 8. 2023, in USAREC Headquarters at Fort Knox, Kentucky. (U.S. Army photo by Lara Poirrier) (Photo Credit: Kelsie Steber) VIEW ORIGINAL

This week 32 Soldiers from across the country traveled to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to participate in the Master Recruiter Badge competition. After a week of intense testing and preparation, 20 Soldiers emerged as experts in the recruiting field and earned the Master Recruiter Badge in a ceremony at U.S. Army Recruiting Command headquarters, Dec. 8.

The following Soldiers demonstrated expert knowledge and received the badge:

1st Recruiting Brigade:

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Brown

Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Dimmerling

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Olavarria

Sgt. 1st Class Eric Rutland

3rd Recruiting Brigade:

1st Sgt. Jennifer Kirim

5th Recruiting Brigade:

Sgt. 1st Class Scott Floe

Sgt. 1st Class Adam Harvey

Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McCoy

6th Recruiting Brigade:

Capt. Norman Hopkins

Sgt. 1st Class Randall Allred

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Bellefeuille

Sgt. 1st Class Cory Cobb

Sgt. 1st Class Mark Harr

Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Trop

Medical Recruiting Brigade:

Sgt. 1st Class Jamiel Vergara

Recruiting and Retention College:

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Colon-Gonzalez

Sgt. 1st Class Sean Davis

Sgt. 1st Class Justin Drake

Sgt. 1st Class Terry Howlett

Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mease

To earn the coveted award, recruiting noncommissioned officers must complete the Master Recruiter Badge competency test and execute a hands-on practical exercise.

Soldiers are evaluated in the following areas:

A written eligibility examination

Development of a plan in support of station operations

Process an enlistment application

Implement a school recruiting program

Conduct prospecting activities

Overcome obstacles

Conduct an Army interview

Conduct the Occupational Physical Assessment Test

Lead a future Soldier (Future Soldier Orientation)

Recruiter-centric network examination and community partner event

“I think this level of competency is something that we should all aspire to have in each of our individual jobs,” said Col. Fred Hockett, U.S. Army Recruiting Command Deputy Commanding Officer-Support. “What you’ve done and what you’ve demonstrated over the last couple of weeks and months is absolutely fantastic. Thank you all for leading from the front on this.”

The first Master Recruiter Badge competition was held in fiscal year 2014. To this day, the command has now certified 115 master recruiters.

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