U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Chief of the Air Force Reserve and Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee said the Air Force Reserve’s greatest asset is its Airmen.
These same Airmen have been called to deploy overseas in defense of the country or mobilized locally to support COVID-19 relief efforts. In the midst of these challenging environments, the Fort Worth Recruiting Office’s hard work strives to ensure the Air Force Reserve continues to gain its most valuable assets.
Chief Master Sergeant Christa Collier, Fort Worth Recruiting flight chief, diligently works with her office to serve as a vital force multiplier in various ways. Whether it is looking for sharp and dedicated Airmen to join the recruiting squadron or finding future Airmen to answer the nation’s call in all career fields, the Recruiting Squadron helps the 301st Fighter Wing accomplish its mission—to train and deploy combat-ready Airmen.
“The recruiting squadron fits in by providing the highly skilled 5 and 7 level (qualified to perform their tasks) combat-ready Airmen needed in the fight,” said Collier. “We recruit the best prior military service and non-prior military service applicants who have a strong desire to serve our country and preserve our position as the world’s greatest airpower! All Air Force Specialty Codes (the job specification an Airmen performs within their military career) are important to us in getting the mission done.”
Maintaining airpower excellence in a challenging health climate provides many unique obstacles. Collier explains how innovation and flexibility are critical in helping them hurdle some of those challenges.
“Having to pivot and revamp some of our recruiting processes, we are ensuring that we continue to provide combat-ready Airmen to AFRC at a high level by incorporating more of a virtual recruiting and training dynamic into our processes,” said Collier. “Safety precautions are being taken for recruiters and applicants with social distancing, team meetings, and virtual enlistments when appropriate.”
Similar to the evolution of delivery platforms and new protocols, Collier and her office continue to share how the opportunities of being a Reserve Citizen Airmen prove just as dynamic.
“Witnessing an applicant transition into becoming a Reservist and watching them take advantage of mandays [extra days of orders available to members for training], or just remaining a productive Traditional Reservist while exploring the numerous opportunities the Air Force Reserve provides including full-time positions as Air Reserve Technicians, Active Guard Reserve, or as Individual Mobilization Augmentees is very fulfilling,” Collier said. “I also enjoy connecting with people, being a part of their civilian to military life transformation, and the daily opportunity to leverage an applicant’s strength to meet a wing’s need to accomplish their mission.”
Along with the needed skills and hard work her office does daily, Collier can also use her own military career experiences to help potential recruits understand the benefits and adventures the AFRC has to offer.
“During my winter break in December 1996, I was the first in my family to join a military branch so there were a lot of unknowns. I was so eager at 17 years old, I had my parents sign so I could join,” Collier remembers. “I thought I would just serve four years, move back to Wisconsin and go to college with my GI Bill. I also wanted to use the opportunity to visit new places and travel the world before I got into the civilian workforce.”
Her experience also includes service for several major commands in a variety of status from Active Duty to IMA to AGR, service in several career fields including her first two duty locations (Minot Air Force Base, N.D. working in the missile fields and Scott AFB, Ill.), and using her educational benefits to earn her bachelor’s degree.
“I have been with Air Force Reserve Recruiting since 2008. I was a dorm manager for a few years while serving on Active Duty and I really loved working with and mentoring young Airmen,” said Collier. “Once in the Reserve, the opportunity presented itself to be an Air Force Reserve recruiter and I knew I had to apply.”
Despite any challenges the RS may face, Collier says it creates plentiful opportunities of excitement for her team and any sharp Airmen interested in their career field.
“BOY AM I ENTHUSIASTIC!!--is our motto and very appropriate for what we do. To be an effective RCS Airmen you have to be highly motivated, sharp, innovative, a problem solver, have a strong work ethic, communicate effectively and enjoy meeting new people,” Collier said. “Most importantly, you have to be adaptive because recruiting is a career field that is constantly evolving and very dynamic. No two days are ever alike.”
Collier also shared how the Air Force Core values—Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do—are essential.
“Stereotypically, we are often at times viewed as used car salesmen only eager to meet a quota but in actuality we take pride in recruiting the nation’s best to fly, fight and win,” Collier added. “We take extreme pride in providing wings the personnel needed to complete their mission while displaying our core values and not compromising our integrity to get the mission done.”
It takes everyone doing their job to get the mission accomplished.
“We ask for your continued support by downloading the Share Your Adventure app! It sends the applicant’s info to the nearest recruiter to get their questions answered quickly AND at the same time recognizes you with various perks and awards for assisting AFRC with meeting end-strength,” Collier concluded. “Share your story with your family, friends and co-workers who could benefit from the Air Force Reserve. Every Reservist is a Recruiter!”
Visit: https://www.get1now.us/ or download the Free Share Your Adventure App from your smartphones’ app store.
Opportunities abound as an Air Force recruiter. If you are looking to directly shape the Air Force’s future and its 21st century Airmen, contact your local recruiting office to find out how.