Photo By Master Sgt. Nancy Kasberg | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Juan Coleman, a student attending the Chief Master Sgt. Paul...... read more read more
Subscribe
Shaping the Future of the Vermont National Guard
By: Tech. Sgt. Nancy Kasberg
1 Combat Camera Squadron/Published Feb. 15, 2020
LOUISVILLE, TENNESSE (Feb. 15, 2020) – Every service member has their reasons for joining the military whether it was to travel the world, pay for an education or have a career and an opportunity to find a better path.
Originally from North Carolina, Tech. Sgt. Juan Coleman was fifteen years old when he realized he needed to change his lifestyle, so he attended a high school military boarding school which led him go on to Norwich University, a military college in Vt.
“I liked and enjoyed the structure,” Coleman said. “But then I had to take a little break from the military life style.”
Although he was a college graduate, Coleman spent the next few years working at a deli, in Vermont. until a pilot walked in and talked to him about the Air National Guard.
“It’s interesting how that played out. I hadn’t even heard about the guard and he kind of recruited me,” Coleman chuckled.
Ten years later, Coleman stands on the other side of the counter as a full-time recruiter for the Vermont Air National Guard.
“Recruiting. That’s the mission. You’re literally looking at the tip of the spear so to speak as far as manning,” he said. “Some units have lost their mission and had to change aircraft because they didn’t have the proper manning.”
Unlike active duty recruiters, the guard recruits specifically for their unit. Knowing the responsibility, he holds for directly shaping his team, Coleman is determined to bring in the right kind of people.
“There’s a lot of pressure on recruiters but I’ve always believed in quality over quantity,” Coleman stressed. “Numbers are important. You want to meet your quotas but not at the risk of bringing people who won’t be good fits.”
As part of Coleman’s meticulous process for bringing in the right people, he spends the extra time getting to know them beyond what’s on paper.
“I meet them, get them to take the ASVAB (Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery test) get them to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) and then take them on a base tour where they can have a better understanding of the top three jobs they selected.”
Coleman says the days are long and a lot of time is invested into just one applicant, but to him it’s worth it.
“It’s hands down the most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” Coleman added. “It’s knowing that I’m helping shape people’s lives for the better. Parents, wives, and husbands all see you out in public and thank you.”
While Coleman has had much success recruiting, he continuously strives for opportunities to grow. He requested to attend the Chief Paul H. Lankford Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Tenn. to learn better ways to lead and manage Air Force assets.
“I think we first figure out what kind of leader we don’t want to be,” he said. “It comes through self-realization and holding yourself accountable. That’s why I love being at NCOA. You’re with your peers in a position where you’re holding each other accountable.”
After nearly six weeks, Coleman was recognized as a distinguished graduate, but he’s not fixed on the award. He’s eager to get back to his unit and apply the lessons learned.
-30-
| Date Taken: | 02.15.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2020 10:22 |
| Story ID: | 363486 |
| Location: | TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 239 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Shaping the Future of the Vermont National Guard, by MSgt Nancy Kasberg, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT