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Airmen earn stripes, promotion

  • Published
  • By Christa D'Andrea
  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Christmas came early for three members of Air Force Recruiting Service last week when Brig. Gen. A.J. Stewart, Air Force Recruiting Service commander, called to congratulate them on their Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotions.

Tech. Sgt. Rob Veuleman, and Staff Sergeants Estuardo Mendoza and Clinton O'Leary were awarded STEP promotions Dec. 23, immediately promoting them to the next higher grade.

In a surprise phone call to Sergeant Veuleman, General Stewart commended the 339th Recruiting Squadron Flight Chief in Gaylord, Mich.

"I'm not giving you stripes, you earned them Sergeant Veuleman," said the commander. "As of this moment you are a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force."

Sergeant Veuleman said the call was very satisfying.

"I was very nervous. It's not everyday that the general calls you on your cell phone," the two-time Flight Chief of the Year award winner said.

The three recruiting service members were selected among dozens of candidates, all who were top performers. Each were personally called and congratulated by General Stewart.

Sergeant Mendoza, a 332nd RCS Military Entrance Processing Station liaison in Nashville, Tenn., said he "didn't have a clue" that he had been submitted as a candidate for the promotion.

"I felt as if it was a dream, and I wasn't going to interrupt it," he described after receiving the news. "My heart was racing, butterflies all over the place. I couldn't believe what I was hearing."

The 12-year veteran, who declined an offer to play for the Air Force rugby team to become a recruiter, considers his job to be the last line of defense before applicants get shipped off to basic training.

"We make sure the Air Force gets the best Airmen possible," he said.

AFRS Command Chief Master Sgt. Vance Clarke said promotions are always earned and these three Airmen definitely earned theirs. All three have a strong history of winning multiple quarterly and annual awards and each have an exemplary performance record.

"These three represent great examples of service before self and hard work," the chief said. "I am reminded each and every day how hard all members of our recruiting team work."

Sergeant O'Leary, 364th RCS MEPS liaison in Sacramento, Calif., said he was told that General Stewart would be calling him about an Inspector General issue.

"I spent several anxious minutes trying to figure out what in the world I had done wrong," said the proud father of six. "I was very surprised!"

Prior to becoming the MEPS liaison, Sergeant O'Leary had surpassed his recruiting goal three years running, earning him three of the prestigious recruiter silver badges. He says that professionalism is paramount to the success of the recruiting mission.

Less than 200 STEP promotions are granted Air Force-wide each year.

"It is an honor to be able to recognize the accomplishments of these outstanding performers," said General Stewart. "They have already been performing at the next higher level and it is only appropriate that the Air Force recognize and commend their performance."