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Three recruiters earn instant promotions

  • Published
  • By Megan A. Orton
  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Three Air Force recruiters were recently promoted by Brig. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot, Air Force Recruiting Service commander, under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program, AFRS officials announced this week.

Tech. Sgt. Ruben Gonzales, Jr., 347th Recruiting Squadron in Chicago, was promoted to master sergeant, and Staff Sgts. Derek P. Grant, 331st RCS in Dothan, Ala., and Joseph J. Babcock, 364th RCS in Sacramento, Calif., were promoted to technical sergeant.

Each year, approximately 300 promotion-eligible Airmen may be STEP promoted to the grades of staff sergeant through master sergeant. An Airman can only be STEP promoted one time during his or her career.

"These three outstanding noncommissioned officers have truly earned their new stripes through their continued commitment to the Air Force and to Air Force recruiting," General Vautrinot said. "We are proud to see these fine Airmen recognized for their achievements." 

Sergeant Gonzales, a health professions recruiter, single-handedly filled 50 percent of the 369th Recruiting Group's entire scholarship goal in fiscal year 2007, giving him an overall production rate of 333 percent, according to his STEP package. Previously in his career, he was recognized by President George W. Bush for escorting 40 members of Congress after the Sept. 11 Pentagon attack.

Sergeant Grant, an enlisted accessions recruiter, shipped 80 applicants to basic military training in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 with only a 3-percent enlistment refusal rate in fiscal 2007, according to his STEP package. Sergeant Grant also led security forces fire-support teams in protecting Operation Iraqi Freedom forces during deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Sergeant Babcock, also an enlisted accessions recruiter, supplied one of every eight new recruits shipped to BMT by the 364th RCS in fiscal 2007. He has earned numerous awards for his performance at the 364th RCS, including two gold badges and one silver badge during his three-year tour.