Recruiting at Ramstein: Recruiter ready for challenges ahead

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  
A recruiter's responsibility begins when someone walks into his office. He stands up and greets with a warm smile and a welcoming handshake. The recruiter knows that, should the recruit decide to commit, he will be one of the first to exemplify the Air Force's professional standard.

It's a tricky process, but it's an experience that Tech. Sgt. Mubarak Rashid, 319th Recruiting Squadron enlisted accessions recruiter, is ready for as he begins recruiting here at Ramstein.

Rashid, who originally enlisted in the Air Force as a fuel distribution system operator has spent three years waiting for this opportunity.  After putting his initial recruiting experience to work in Atlanta, Rashid now brings his experiences and knowledge to his new recruiting environment here in Europe. According to him, the change of environment has brought with it unique challenges he didn't have stateside.

"The number one challenge of recruiting here in Europe is how we're geographically separated from the market we are trying to reach," said Rashid. "We also don't have a Military Entrance Processing Station here, so we have what we call a cradle-to-grave interaction with our recruits from coming in and just "being interested" to shipping off to basic military training."

Despite the challenges, Rashid finds recruiting overseas on a military installation necessary.

"Recruiting overseas is important because it provides us a potential pool of highly-qualified individuals that already know many aspects of the Air Force," explained Rashid. "They're normally more knowledgeable and experienced with military culture so tapping into this population adds Airmen who enter the Air Force with a little experience in how it works."

Before completing his tour as a recruiter, Rashid hopes to obtain the Gold Recruiter Badge, which represents the recipient has gone above and beyond his squadron's expectations in recruiting new Airmen for the Air Force. He is never one to back down from a challenge and believes that by always setting new goals for himself, he will one day be able to obtain such a medal.

As a recruiter, he gives insight on how to maintain their key domains (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness.

"Getting physically fit, people should perform walk-run intervals and do pushups, sit ups and pull ups. If they're interested in a religion, start to follow it. Most importantly, start toughening up and becoming stronger not just physically, but emotionally," explained Rashid.

Aspects like striving for the best and maintaining total fitness are examples of what Rashid wants to instill in his future Airmen. His warm smile and welcoming handshake shows that he's ready to help his possible recruits into the Air Force. Should they decide to commit, Rashid knows he will set a good example by exemplifying the Air Force's professional standard.

For more information about becoming a recruiter or speak with the recruiters, contact the Ramstein Recruiter's office at 314-480-3430.