Dover, Delaware resident and Delaware Air Guard member named the Air National Guard outstanding production recruiter of the year for 2007 Published Feb. 17, 2009 By 010508 NEW CASTLE, Delaware -- Delaware Air National Guard Headquarters, 166th Airlift Wing 2600 Spruance Drive New Castle, DE 19720-1615 Contact: Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey Public Affairs Specialist, 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard Cell 302-593-2126, or Office 302-323-3369 E-mail: Benjamin.Matwey@denewc.ang.af.mil Release No. 2008-5-001, May 1, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW CASTLE - Master Sergeant Gerald C. Miller, a Dover, Delaware resident and full-time recruiter in the Delaware Air National Guard has been named as the production recruiter of the year by the Air National Guard. He was selected as the best in his career field out of eight total categories in the 2007 Air National Guard Outstanding Recruiting and Retention Personnel of the Year Awards. He competed with fellow recruiters from 50 states, three U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Lieutenant General Craig R. McKinley, Director of the Air National Guard, said, "The dedicated professionalism of these fine members led the way in setting and exceeding superior standards." Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Hunsicker, commander of the 166th Mission Support Group, said, "Sergeant Miller is one of the finest individuals I have served with. His dedication to service and community is without equal. I have worked with him for 15 years and can truly say that this significant recognition is long overdue." Master Sgt. Mike Davis, recruiting office supervisor, 166th Airlift Wing, said, "Sergeant Miller's professional appearance, attitude and behavior are exemplary. He is a hard worker and a consummate team player dedicated to the mission and his fellow recruiters." Sergeant Miller joined the Air Force in 1990, and served for three-and-a-half years of combined active duty service at Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas and Howard AFB, Panama. He transferred to the Delaware ANG in 1993 Sergeant Miller was selected for his outstanding work in five areas; recruiting achievements; job knowledge and leadership abilities, self-improvement; community involvement; and leadership qualities. In fiscal year 2007, Sgt. Miller led the nation as the number one production recruiter with 112 recruits for the Delaware ANG. This was a strong push to help the unit reach a 98 percent overall manning rate, the highest on record for several decades. He played a key role in the Delaware ANG increasing end strength 11 percent in one year. He averaged 10.6 recruits per month for fiscal year 2007 even after losing two months to hospitalization. He shattered the unit record for most recruits in one month with 35 recruits in August, 2007. He recruited new Airmen into 103 of 112 jobs listed as being in high demand by the Air Force. Sergeant Miller devoted countless hours to training and mentoring two new recruiters, and became the resident expert on the Air Force Recruiting Information Support System, the core mission system of record for all Air Force non-commissioned Airmen recruiting actions. He is routinely the first to volunteer for additional duties. He was the office manager of the Delaware ANG's satellite office at Dover Air Force Base and gave numerous briefings to Airmen. He was the Delaware ANG Junior ROTC Program Manager, planning and organizing numerous base tours and orientation flights. He is the unit's program manager for planning and organizing minority recruiting events, and the unit's liaison to Delaware State University. He managed the unit vacancy listing, providing recruiters with an invaluable recruiting tool. He planned and executed countless recruiting events, further increasing leads and enlistments of fellow recruiters. Sergeant Miller has completed 100 credits towards a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice at Wilmington University, and completed the Air Force NCO Academy. He is involved in the community as a member of the Delaware Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen and a member of the Lower Sussex Chapter of NAACP assisting in voter registration events throughout the county. He participated in Delaware Family Awareness Day -- Taught community about available family resources. He transports and mentors children in the 'Youth on the Edge of Greatness' after school mentorship program, and volunteered with Special Olympics Delaware providing disabled children the opportunity to compete. He is a member of the Board of the Shechinah Empowerment Center which provides community outreach services, and aided in job applications and interview training. Sergeant Miller was previously recognized by the Air National Guard when he received a Director's Challenge Award for fiscal year 2007 in the area of recruiting after recruited the highest number of recruits in the Air National Guard that year. The Delaware Air National Guard is a reserve component of the U.S. Air Force with 1,100 positions under Command of the Governor of Delaware, or the President of the United States when mobilized. The Delaware ANG has been serving Delaware and the United States of America since 1946. This release is in the public domain, and any part may be used as written. - 30 -