LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- A member of the 913th Force Support Squadron was awarded the 2018 Air Force Recruiting force support award for the central region on Jan. 24, 2019, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
Staff Sgt. Rachel King, 913th FSS non-commissioned officer in charge of force management, was recognized by Senior Master Sgt. Marcus Kirksey, 307th Bomb Wing Recruiting Service flight chief, during a commander’s call.
“Staff Sgt. King has gone above and beyond in her efforts to support recruiting in the area,” said Kirksey. “She is always on top of processing applications and projecting job vacancies within the management system.”
Before a recruit can step onto the bus for basic military training or an active duty military member can transition into the Reserves, force support personnel review each applicant’s enlistment package.
“There is more to the Reserve accession process most people see,” said King. “To ensure we hire qualified personnel, we facilitate medical reviews, verify career field data, skill level, qualifications, security clearances and more.”
As military personnel retire or find positions at other units, it’s up to the force management office to ensure the vacancies are projected in the Reserve Management Vacancy System and work with the recruiters both locally and worldwide to fill those vacant positions.
“She is integral to the Reserve recruiting process,” said Master Sgt. Nathan Thorn, local Reserve recruiter. “The buck stops with her. I can’t do my job without her, the 913th Airlift Group and the Reserves would suffer without her efforts.”
To replenish the Reserve’s fighting force, recruiters aim to accession six applicants monthly. Members wishing to join the Reserves after active duty visit their local In-Service Recruiter for Palace Front or Palace Chase assignment opportunities. All applicants’ gains packages are reviewed by the force management office. Her main focus is working with the local Little Rock recruiters who also oversee the Barksdale and Keesler AFB regions.
“I’m grateful that I was nominated for this award,” said King. “I am so happy I won and I am honored to serve in the Air Force Reserve."