106th Rescue Wing Recruiting and Retention wins regional award Published Jan. 5, 2016 By TSgt. Monica Dalberg 106th Rescue Wing WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NEW YORK -- Guard Recruiting and Retention office recently enlisted their skills and attained their annual recruiting goal of 100 percent, beating out 8 other states in the Northeast, winning the regional Patriot Team Award for Fiscal Year 2015. Master Sergeant Matthew Repp, manager and supervisor of the Recruiting and Retention Office, attributes the success of his staff to streamlining aspects of enlistment and mutual respect amongst members within his office. Although the team is manned at 75 percent, it was the second year in a row they managed to achieve their recruiting objective of 100 percent. "We do everything, soup to nuts in our office," said Repp, of the approach they use in making transitions into the Air National Guard smooth for new recruits. Traditionally recruiting offices have sworn in newcomers and escorted them to various offices to handle administrative details. "We took it upon ourselves to better educate ourselves on the processes," he said. "It's all on us to make it a quick and smooth change. We don't have to wait on other offices to complete their roles, as they have other duties, too." The recruiting office accomplishes security clearances on the newest members, financial packages to ensure they receive appropriate allowances, and medical clearances. Oftentimes a medical clearance can involve trips to New York City and New Jersey for completion. The arduous steps involved in getting a new recruit in the door and sworn in to completing Basic Military Training requires many man hours and can be stressful for recruiters and their families. "Sometimes the day starts at 3 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.," said Master Sergeant Laurie Perno, recruiting and retention manager. "When you get home you're exhausted, but you still have a family to take care of and you're still 'Mom,'" she said. "Numerous career and recruiting events take place on holidays and weekends," said Perno. She also noted in many instances recruits are students or have full-time jobs of their own. "When they have time to take steps they need to make a phone call or visit, it needs to be in their free time. Their free time is often our downtime. It's 24/7," Perno said, of recruiting. In addition to recruiting, Perno also handles the retention of members. "She's grabbing the bull by the horns and working hard to develop a program to retain our qualified airman in the Guard," Repp said about Perno. "She's ensuring our airman are receiving all their educational benefits and seeing to it they meet their career goals." As goals are set for recruiting offices, competition for individuals to meet those targets can be demanding and even cause resentment within an office. MSgt Repp credits his team's abilities to identify strengths in one another and use those talents as an advantage for the whole team. TSgt Katie White is recognized within the office as a high speed go-getter. In conjunction with her regular duties as a recruiter, her toughness and tenacity made her a good fit to work with new recruits, according to Repp and Perno. The newest members of the Air National Guard and the wing become part of Student Flight, led by White. Although some of the students may be familiar with the Air Force, they often have no prior knowledge of military life. Students learn about Air Force culture, build camaraderie amongst one another and become familiar with wing operations, prior to leaving for Basic Military Training. "She will hold the students to a certain standard that doesn't relent, and they need those stepping stones when they go to boot camp," stated Repp. White's efforts have resulted in a 95% rate in basic training completion for recruits. SSgt Christopher Gee is primarily a Battlefield Airman recruiter and, according to Repp, has found his niche in marketing and has considerable input on how to allocate recruiting and advertising funds. In July he established the largest Battlefield Airman-focused recruiting event in New York Air National Guard history at the Ironman Triathlon held in Lake Placid, N.Y. The triathlon attracted some 30,000 attendees, many suited to the mental and physical rigors required of Special Operations. Gee ensured maximized spending of the allowed advertising budget in the year at 100 percent, unmatched by any other recruiting office in New York. Staff Sergeant Joseph Cacoperdo is the newest addition to the Recruiting and Retention office and is diligently defining his role as a junior enlisted recruiter, said Repp. "He does a lot of volunteer work and is heavily involved with his community. He projects a good image of the Air National Guard and the 106th Rescue Wing with his volunteerism and that benefits the Guard as a whole." "With this recruiting team everyone brings a different dynamic to the office. We mesh well together," said Perno. "They all embrace their roles, move forward, and master them. It works well for us," added Repp of his team. The 106th Rescue Wing Recruiting and Retention office is now vying for the national-level Patriot Team Award and the winner will be announced in April 2016.