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Air Force Recruiting: A Family Tradition

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Richard S. Mendez
  • 332nd Recruiting Squadron commander
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --  The headline sounds like a country song, and being stationed in Nashville, Tennessee, it certainly fits. It's my philosophy that "Behind the Badge" should primarily focus on highlighting the phenomenal work recruiters do daily and how we accomplish the mission, but it's also important that we occasionally pause and reflect on where we've been and how we got here. I'd like to share my story.

It's a sure bet that you remember who your recruiter was when you joined the Air Force. I'll never forget mine, and neither will my two younger brothers for the same reason. We all share the same mentor and recruiter - our dad. Between me, my dad and my brothers, we have served more than 75 years with 12 deployments in the Air Force.

My dad's Air Force story began in 1974 (after a stint in the Marine Corps) as a firefighter at Kincheloe Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where he met my mom. That was followed by Royal Air Force Bentwaters, England; Duluth AFB, Minnesota; and then Peterson AFB, Colorado. After being assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona, he cross-trained into Civil Engineering's HVAC, but before moving, he volunteered and was selected for recruiter duty.

It's a clear memory for me of him going through the interview process and getting dressed up - talking about the life of a recruiter as a family. Before we knew it, then-Tech. Sgt. Guadalupe Mendez was assigned to the 3554th Recruiting Squadron headquartered at Selfridge AFB in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

(On a side note of awesome Air Force history: The unit was commanded by Lt. Col. Peter Callaghan, an F-4 weapon systems operator who was was shot down over North Vietnam in 1972. When he ejected from his aircraft, he suffered a compound fracture to his leg and evaded the Viet Cong for two days before being captured and subsequently held as a prisoner of war in the Hanoi Hilton for 281 days. He later became the deputy commander of the 3504th Recruiting Group at Lackland AFB, Texas.)

Dad's first stint on the bag was in Southgate, Michigan, where recruiting at the time was quite challenging. The economy was buzzing and the biggest employment draws were the Big Three automakers - Ford, GM and Chrysler.

Dad's recruiting skills were honed on us kids as we learned about the Community College of the Air Force, 30 days of paid leave per year, medical and dental coverage, the Montgomery GI bill, retirement opportunities, travel, promotion and the challenging Air Force career fields. We certainly knew more about the Air Force in middle school than your average Air Force brat!

After a multitude of accolades, awards and many silver badges, he was selected to be a liaison NCO at the Detroit Military Entrance Processing Station. While he was at the MEPS, Hollywood was filming "Beverly Hills Cop" at the police station which was right across the street. He told us about being able to occasionally catch a glimpse of Eddie Murphy and the Ferraris in the film that were parked nearby.

I've since learned that the challenges we experience with CMOs today haven't changed much from 30 years ago. One of his funny stories revolves around how the Detroit MEPS CMO would stamp an applicant's paperwork with his signature block ink stamp. He used the force of a lumberjack swinging a sledgehammer on a stout wooden table, all day, every day. Bam! Bam! Bam! That thud could be heard throughout the building no matter what floor you were on. When I walk into a MEPS, it always brings that story to mind.

Dad soon graduated to be a squadron trainer, culminating as a flight chief in Dearborn, Michigan, until retiring as a master sergeant in 1992. His mentorship and guidance provided a unique perspective of being an Airman and the recruiting mission. As the mission has evolved over the years, the challenges recruiters face are similar to days past; the words "inspire, engage, recruit" are as applicable as ever.

Of course, my dad whittled his own clever phrases for recruiting as well. One notable one my brothers and I remember was his ever-popular, "Benefits galore. Go four more!" Get it? Four more?

Dad always had these words of advice: Do what is right, not what is popular. Be a professional in your craft. Never forget to laugh. Take all you want, but eat all you take. (That last one was popular while raising three boys.)

My advice to you is similar to his. If you do not have a mentor, seek one out. Continually ask yourself how you can be a better professional, and never lose your sense of humor.

Unfortunately Dad's story has a sad ending. He unexpectedly passed away six months before my taking command of the mighty 332nd. It was heartbreaking for me not having him there at the change of command ceremony, to not have him see me continue this legacy that was such a huge part of our family while growing up.

In a few short weeks I must say goodbye to recruiting. I will cherish the fact that I have been honored to serve with the phenomenal professionals in the 332nd, as well as everyone we came in contact with across AFRS - the resilient team that continually accomplishes the impossible. This opportunity in my career has given me a chance to reflect on those who came before us, like my dad, and also on those we're recruiting into our Air Force who will continue to lead our service.

And while my time as commander has provided me an experience and memories I never dreamt of as a young Airman, as the flag passes on to the next, my thoughts will be of my dad, as I miss him terribly. I know he's looking down from above, and I hope I've made him as proud as he made me of him.


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