News – The South Carolina National Guard, called the best recruitment team in the country – DVIDS

In a remarkable achievement, the National Guard of South Carolina was appointed recipient of the Patriots National Guard Award, recognizing the 169th fighter wing for the most promising wing in the country for recruitment and detention. This prestigious honor, awarded annually to the best wing of 90 air national units, emphasizes the exclusive work done by the team in transforming the processes of recruitment and detention of the state.

“We are so proud of our 169th team for the recruitment and detention of fighter jets, selected for the Patriot Air Patriot Award,” said US Air Force Colonel Sean Bouse, commander of the 169th fighter wing. “They demonstrated how successful the team can be when working for a common purpose, despite any of the challenges they meet. Recruiting staff is an extremely difficult job, but it is also important to remember that they have been distinguished in detention. Each member who rewrites for another term increases our efficiency. This team embodies our marsh tradition of excellence and is very deserving the award at national level. “

Not only does the award emphasize the efforts of the dialing team for the dialing of the 169th fighter, but also sets a standard for other wings to seek.

“This is a huge achievement for South Carolina,” said Chief Master SGT. Kenny Monroe, a senior leader recorded for the dialing and detention of the 169th fighter wing. “This is the first award of the National Air National Guard team in South Carolina and is the result of years of hard work, innovation and teamwork.”

The recognition follows the choice of the team as the number one wing in region 3, which covers several states and eventually the first place in the whole country. The way to winning the NGB Patriot team was far from easy, but it was paved with a series of improvements and strategic solutions that separated the wing of South Carolina from others.

A key factor in the success of the 169th fighter wing was the introduction of innovative tools and systems designed to optimize the recruitment process.

“We had to be more effective and less soaked in administrative work,” Monroe explained. “That’s where the technology came to help us make significant improvements.”

One of the excellent innovations was the creation of a new SharePoint tracking program developed by a team member that reduced the time needed to process recruits by 50 to 60 percent. This tracker provides a simple, combined system for tracking the attraction process and ensures that all countries concerned, including recruitment, commanders and other key staff, are stored in the status of each candidate.

In addition to the follow -up tracking, the 169 -fighter wing implemented a medical follow -up that plays an important role in accelerating the process of recruits in need of medical permits. Prior to the recruits, the recruits are faced with up to four weeks to receive medical responses, causing powerlessness and uncertainty. With the new system, the team significantly reduced the waiting time and added a voltage feature that guarantees timely follow -up.

“We lost recruits because of these delays,” Monroe reasoned. “Now, with the medical tracker, we turned it over. The response time is much faster and helped us keep more recruits in the pipeline.”
At the heart of the success of the National Guard of South Carolina is a strong sense of teamwork. Monroe credits the positive work environment and the spirit of cooperation among tenants and leadership as a driving force behind the remarkable achievement of the unit.

“What makes this team so special is their ability to work together,” he said. “There is no ego here. All are focused on the same purpose: success. They have their backs on each other and that makes them so effective. “

Monroe emphasized that this culture of teamwork and mutual support is not just a superficial quality, but the one that has been nourished over time. The ability of the unit to cooperate seamlessly in different roles – from recruiting staff to commanders – was a key factor in their ability to optimize processes and improve efficiency.

“They are honest with each other,” Monroe said. “If anyone is lagging behind, they will tell them straight. This is what makes this team work. “

This environment of openness and trust not only increases productivity, but also creates a sense of belonging and commitment among team members. Monroe believes that this commitment is what ultimately led to their success in winning the NGB Patriot team award.

“These guys are bought,” Monroe said. “They are passionate about what they do and take care of the mission.”

One of the most significant challenges facing the dialrs in the National Air Guard is the process of a military entrance station (MEPS), in particular complex medical assessments that applicants need to undergo. Following the introduction of the MHS Genesis system, the medical screening process became more stringed, which led to longer delays for recruits.

“When I started dialing, we could send someone to the MEPs and record them for three days,” Monroe explained. “Now the process can take four to eight weeks due to medical examinations, refusals and other delays.”

This change in the medical evaluation process is disappointing not only for the recruitment staff, but also for the candidates who face a long wait.

“It is difficult to support the recruits when they have to wait so long,” Monroe admitted. “But we learned how to manage the process better. We communicate with the candidates every step of the way so that they do not feel forgotten. “

Despite these challenges, the 169 fighter wing has found ways to adapt. Through their innovations in tracking and communication, they minimize the impact of these delays on recruits and continue to maintain high success.

“Even with these obstacles, we were able to keep our number strong,” Monroe said. “This is a testimony to the hard work of our recruits and the system we have built.”

US Army General R. Van McCarthy, South Carolina’s general, took the time to congratulate the recruiting staff personally, acknowledging their relentless efforts to maintain such high standards.

“I was surprised that we did not win before only on the basis of the perfection of the program here, but I know that we are competing against other states and their quality pilots and quality soldiers in our ranks,” McCarthy said. “I am for sure that I have the opportunity to go out this morning and tell you thank you.”
Looking forward, Monroe and his team remain focused on maintaining their success and continuing to upgrade their achievements.

“We can always improve and this is what we will continue to do,” Monroe said. “But now we have set a standard and it is up to us to continue to press forward.”

The success of the 169th fighter jets in winning the NGB Patriot team serves as a model for other units of the National Guard of Air. Through innovation, teamwork and commitment to excellence, they have proven that they are leaders in the field of recruitment and detention. With this national recognition in hand, the South Carolina team is ready to continue its mission to bring the best and most bright recruits, guaranteeing the future power and success of the National Guard of AIR.

After all, it’s not just about winning awards – it’s about people behind achievements.

“The real prize is the people we import,” Monroe said. “It’s about giving them the opportunity to serve and be part of something more than themselves.”