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Reserve Beats Recruiting Goal for Seventh Consecutive Year

Air Force Reserve officials announced they have reached their recruiting goal for 2007, topping 8,000 people Aug. 28.

This is the seventh consecutive year Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service has surpassed its goals, an achievement unmatched by any other Reserve component.

Approximately 400 recruiters achieved the goal 34 days before the end of the Department of Defense fiscal year when the 8,000th recruit, Brandon Stack, 18, of Youngstown, N.Y., became official at 2:25 p.m. Aug. 28.

Tech. Sgt. Robert Mielke recruited Mr. Stack, who's entering the Air Force Reserve with a job as an aircraft structural maintenance apprentice. Sergeant Mielke is a line recruiter in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, the AFRC commander, said the meaning of meeting that goal could not be overemphasized.

"You play an essential role in maintaining our nation's freedom," the general said. "Recruiters have often been called the 'tip of the spear.' In our war on terrorism, you are just that. The fine recruits you've enlisted are now participating members of our AFRC mission."

Every recruiter "exceeded the call of duty," General Bradley said.

General Bradley expects next year to get tougher with Air Force Reserve mission changes creating 7,000 new positions across the command, most in new locations, some in small markets.

"I know (the recruiters are) up to the task," General Bradley said.

Source: U.S. Air Force