In my opinion, the Sept. 8 cover story on the Air Force Recruiting Service is a gross misrepresentation of the profession I've had the honor of serving in the past 18 years.
Before becoming AFRS' command chief master sergeant in July, I served in 10 different recruiting positions at seven different locations. I've worked with and led hundreds of recruiters since 1996, and your story in no way reflects the dedication and professionalism the men and women of Air Force Recruiting Service demonstrate each and every day. I find your article insulting to the professionals who wear the Recruiting Badge and serve our nation with the utmost integrity, regardless of the challenges thrown at them.
I'm extremely disappointed and saddened that the views of a half-dozen anonymous recruiters would be used to categorize and represent the thousands of outstanding recruiting professionals past and present. Trust me, when allegations like those in the article are uncovered or reported, our command takes them seriously and investigates thoroughly. When complaints are substantiated, appropriate administrative accountability is administered and associated matters are reviewed and addressed.
While some of the claims made in this article have been substantiated on occasion, they've been fully addressed, and to insinuate these incidents are an epidemic is out of line. I can assure you that our outstanding recruiters are finding the highest-quality applicants the Air Force has ever seen, and doing it the right way. In the last two years, 98 percent of all new recruits qualified in the highest mental aptitude categories of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. Additionally, 94 percent of our recruits successfully graduate Basic Military Training, proof that our recruits are mentally and physically qualified for the rigors of an Air Force career. Major Command commanders have consistently expressed their happiness with their new airmen. This, combined with the high, on-time graduation rates and the extremely low attrition rate, is reflective of the magnificent job our highly trained recruiters are doing in identifying and bringing into the Air Force the very best quality airmen.
The Air Force and AFRS have high expectations of every recruiter, because special trust is placed in these men and women. Much is expected from us as ambassadors in America's communities. Many times we're the first Air Force individuals our communities will meet with, and we must project the proper image and conduct ourselves above reproach. It is because of this that the Air Force ensures we select the best candidates to become recruiters, great airmen from all cross sections of the Air Force.
In AFRS, our philosophy is to "Be a Great Airman First." It is never acceptable to lie, cheat or ignore rules and regulations. When I was in the maintenance career field, it wouldn't have been acceptable for me to disobey proper procedures because I felt my boss was implying I should take a shortcut, and I certainly wouldn't falsify aircraft forms. The potential impacts of an action like that are unthinkable. It is no less acceptable that our Air Force recruiters should disregard proper procedures. That behavior is never tolerable and is dealt with appropriately in the rare instance it occurs.
Airmen are taught from their first days in Basic Military Training about the importance of conducting themselves both on and off duty in a way that reflects our core values. "Integrity First" means we do the right thing even when no one is looking. If we have a bad day, can we dismiss these expectations? No. In 27 years of serving my country, it has never been acceptable to compromise our core values. While some of us may have bad days or experience bad supervisors, all airmen know that you can't pick and choose when the core values apply.
I offer an open invitation to the Air Force Times to interview any of our proud, hardworking and dedicated recruiters, on the record and with full attribution. I'm confident they will share an extremely different perspective than those anonymously quoted in your article.
Lamer is command chief master sergeant of Air Force Recruiting Service.
