JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
For most people interested in joining the Air Force, a recruiter is their first impression.
As the first face of the Air Force, it’s important that recruiters embody the pride, professionalism and enthusiasm it takes to be an Airman.
Fortunately, there is a school that prepares them to do that.
“Here at the Air Force recruiting school, we focus our efforts on preparing our students to navigate the challenges of being a recruiter,” said Tech. Sgt. Derek Guerin, 344th Training Squadron Air Force Recruiting School instructor supervisor at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. “As a recruiter you are typically geographically separated from your unit, so we teach you everything you will need to know for your job to build a good foundation in your tasks. Our motto here at Air Force recruiting is attitude is everything, and we remind students of that with our Air Force Recruiting cheer.”
That cheer is, “One! Two! Three! Boy, am I enthusiastic!”
“Despite your challenges, despite things that might stress you out, always having an attitude of enthusiasm and being excited can convey the greatness of what we do as an Air Force to anyone who comes into our office,” Guerin said.
Individuals interested in becoming a recruiter can apply through the Developmental Special Duty, or DSD, program.
“The DSD process is meant to develop people, and that’s what we do,” Guerin said. “The skills you gain as a recruiter will help you better communicate with and understand people. Being an NCO is all about understanding people and that is what recruiters thrive on, understanding and getting to know people and how to help them.”
Prior to his 10 years of recruiting for the Air Force, Guerin served as a medic in the medical career field.
“Serving as a medic, I discovered that I truly love helping people. I saw that is what recruiters really do,” Guerin said. “We help people see if the Air Force is a good option for them, how it can help them meet their goals and how it can change their lives.”
Guerin’s drive to serve and help others naturally lead him to become an Air Force recruiter.
“One of my favorite things about being a recruiter is having the opportunity to work with a lot of amazing people, getting to find out about their story and finding out about why they needed the Air Force,” Guerin said. “Once we do that, we can figure out how the Air Force can help them. I have seen some people come out of some difficult situations and become Airmen on the other side of it. That is something that will be written on my heart forever.”