Leavitt assumes command of AFRS to lead recruiters in impacting Air Force of the future Published June 15, 2018 By Chrissy Cuttita Air Force Recruiting Services Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOPLH, Texas -- Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt assumed command of the Air Force Recruiting Service June 15, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. “As members of AFRS we have the chance to have an incredible impact on our Air Force and the defense of our nation,” the general said after receiving command from Maj. Gen. Mark Weatherington, Air Education and Training Command deputy commander. “We are recruiting the Air Force of tomorrow. That is an incredible responsibility but it is also an awesome challenge. I want you to take advantage of this opportunity.” Weatherington defined Leavitt as a “trailblazer” as he provided a brief synopsis of her Air Force biography full of unique accomplishments that began when she was the distinguished graduate of an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at a university not far from Randolph. Leavitt entered the Air Force in 1992 after earning her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in Austin and later earned her master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University, California. Acclaimed as the Air Force’s first female fighter pilot, Leavitt previously commanded the 57th Wing, the Air Force's most diverse flying wing comprised of 37 squadrons at 13 installations with a variety of more than 130 aircraft headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Leavitt has served in a variety of flying, staff and command assignments and has commanded at the flight, squadron and wing level and has flown more than 3,000 hours in the F-15E, T-38A, AT-38B and T-37. She also instructed F-15E Strike Eagle pilots in the U.S. Air Force Weapons School in the late 1990s. Her operational experiences include Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. “Your impact is significant and this impact will be felt by the Air Force for many years to come,” Leavitt told recruiters at the ceremony. “By extracting America’s best and brightest to be future Airmen. AFRS is preparing our Air Force for victory in tomorrow’s conflict.” Weatherington shared three inspiring stories of men and women who faced challenging upbringings but found a postive future in serving the Air Force, something he defined as the power of AFRS. He called Leavitt a pathfinder who will lead the team in continuing that trend of bringing talent to the service and sustain the momentum. After the recruiting badge was pinned to her service jacket, Leavitt led a group of Delayed Entry Program men and women through the Oath of Enlistment. “Our continued success depends on each and every one of you,” Leavitt said. “Our team needs your talent and dedication but even more so, your enthusiasm, your imagination, your creativity. You are the key to our future success.”