Coraopolis, Pa. -- The 171st Strength Management Team won the Pennsylvania National Guard Patriot Team Award announced on Feb. 1, 2018.
This annual award is based upon the team’s performance. Some of the areas include how well the unit recruits enlisted and officers as well as new and prior service members, money utilization, advertising and program management. This is the first time the 171st recruiters won the award.
Base recruiters met their goals, while some exceeded them. The team achieved 127 accessions, putting the wing at 102% strength.
“Excellence in all we do,” said Master Sgt. Shayla F. Pollard, a Recruiting and Retention Manager at the 171st Air Refueling Wing. “This is a great accomplishment for our team. We had a first time recruiter, a recruiter coming from active duty, and another recruiter who missed three months of work due to maternity leave. Despite this, we achieved our goals.”
Besides the team award, individuals were recognized by the state for their achievement too. Pollard won the Rookie Recruiting and Retention Office Manager award, Master Sgt. Krystl L. Larkin earned the Unit Career Advisor of the Year award, and Tech. Sgt. Eric J. Kizina received the Rookie Production Recruiter and Retainer of the Year award.
Pollard and Larkin competed and won at the Region 4 level as well. Region 4 is comprised of nine states. These are Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and most of Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana.
The accomplishments of Pollard and Larkin have been submitted to the national competition, which will be determined in the next few weeks.
“The Patriot Team is a great award to win for the unit,” said Master Sgt. John D. Frazier, a Recruiting and Retention Manager at the 171st. “The awards won show the tenacity and drive for each member to work individually and together as a team.”
With a year of experience “under the belt”, the recruiting team has its eyes set on this year’s goals with high expectations.