AFRS division superintendent retires after 22 years in recruiting Published March 14, 2008 By Senior Master Sgt. Rodney McDaniel Air Force Recruiting Service RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Chief Master Sgt. Edward Vargas dons his Air Force uniform for the last time today for his retirement ceremony here. The Air Force Recruiting Service Operations Division superintendent best known for improving programs served more than 27 years in active-duty service, more than 22 of those years with AFRS. A Bronx, N.Y., native, Chief Vargas entered the Air Force in October 1980 from Brooklyn, N.Y., as a security police member with his first assignment in Alconbury, England. He continued his security police career with an assignment at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., through October 1985 when he took a special-duty assignment, returning to his old stomping grounds in the Bronx as a non-prior service recruiter. He served another 22 and one-half years dedicated to AFRS, gaining and sharing a wealth of recruiting experience and corporate knowledge. The chief served as the 344th Recruiting Squadron superintendent, Arlington, Texas, from 2001-2002 with Colonel Woolever, the unit commander. "Simply put, Chief Vargas is a leader," said Col. Daniel Woolever, 369th Recruiting Group commander. "He lifted our squadron to new heights, set new records and subsequently won numerous command-level awards," the colonel said. Chief also served as the Operations Division superintendent when the colonel was the division deputy chief and then chief at AFRS from summer 2003-2005 and summer 2005-2006, respectfully. "Here Chief continued to use his leadership talents and an "EE" approach in leadership and management -- Mission improvements by continuously improving efficiencies and effectiveness," the colonel said. As division superintendent, Chief Vargas streamlined operations such as the enlisted job reservations procedures and the commands' awards programs including Operation Blue Suit, quarterly and annual awards and the officer accession selection boards. "All were Herculean accomplishments ... As the commands' operations superintendent, he ensured all Basic Military Training class seats were filled -- the right timing and the right skills were all met ... another record," Colonel Woolever said. Chief Vargas and his wife plan to spend their retirement years in the San Antonio area. His two sons and a daughter-in-law carry on the Vargas family Air Force legacy, serving in the active force. (Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey contributed to the article)