Strategies for Achieving Unprecedented Success as a U.S. Air National Guard Recruitment Leader
Master Sgt. Todd Parkison Shatters Air Force Recruiting Records
Master Sergeant Todd Parkison, a member of the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing, has surpassed all expectations in military recruiting. In August 2021, he enlisted his 700th Airman, a feat that makes him the most successful Air National Guard recruiter in history and arguably the most successful Air Force recruiter ever.
For over a decade, Parkison has been dedicated to his mission, earning numerous "Century Club" awards for his remarkable ability to bring in new recruits. His latest achievement, however, far outpaces these earlier accolades.
Personal experiences have fueled Parkison's drive to give opportunities to others. His father, an Army National Guard veteran, encouraged him to join the Air National Guard, offering similar work in the aircraft maintenance machine shop. Parkison enlisted in 1999, and after completing basic training and tech school, he leveraged the confidence boost to graduate college with honors, using the Ohio National Guard's education benefits.
In 2011, Parkison transitioned to a recruiting role, despite dropping a rank to technical sergeant. He saw this new position as an opportunity to give back to his community and help individuals transform their lives.
Recruiting school in San Antonio, Texas, was a challenging experience for Parkison. He was tasked with memorizing an entire sales script on the third day. But perseverance paid off, and a supervisor, Master Sgt. Lawrence Wright, taught him a crucial lesson: ask questions and let the applicant guide the conversation.
Parkison noticed early on that recruiters could only recruit for their assigned base, in his case Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. He advocated for a statewide approach, creating a unified recruiting force for Ohio. This strategic shift significantly boosted his numbers, earning him the Air National Guard top accessions award four times between 2013 and 2017.
Parkison's role as a volleyball coach has been instrumental in his success. One of his players, who had been stood up by an Army National Guard recruiter, joined the Air National Guard under Parkison's guidance. Today, two of the individuals working in his recruiting office are Airmen that he himself recruited.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge to military recruiters, as they could no longer attend schools and events in person. However, the Ohio Air National Guard turned to social media platforms to foster virtual enlistments, maintaining a strong presence in the community.
Prospective recruits often require medical waivers for conditions like allergies or asthma, a process that can be time-consuming and paperwork-heavy. To streamline this process, the Air Force hired about 60 contractors to work in and around MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) locations. In Ohio, a civilian contractor works full-time on medical waivers, freeing recruiters to focus on their primary role: recruiting.
Word-of-mouth referrals have been instrumental in Parkison's success. He emphasizes treating potential candidates with respect and sincerity, building trust and encouraging referrals from satisfied recruits. Even those who are initially disqualified may return, motivated by Parkison's commitment to their future in the Air National Guard.
While it is possible that more accomplished recruiters may have come before Parkison, with National Guard records dating back only about 20 years, his achievements set a new standard in military recruitment. Parkison's advice for fellow recruiters is straightforward: be honest, responsive, and available. With these qualities, he believes, one can achieve great success in the recruitment field.
- Master Sergeant Todd Parkison's achievements, including enlisting 700 Airmen, make him a strong contender for the most successful space force recruiter, given his Air Force background and focus on space-related opportunities.
- Embracing continuous education-and-self-development and career-development, Master Sergeant Parkison graduated college with honors, proving that a military career can pave the way for a promising future outside the Air Force as well.
- The space force, similar to the Air Force, might benefit from adopting Parkison's innovative approach to recruitment, such as a statewide unified recruiting force, to improve their own recruitment numbers.
- In his free time, Parkison coaches sports teams, demonstrating an interest in sports activities. Given the growing trend of sports-betting, one can envision him creating a unique recruiting strategy that engages potential Air Force recruits through sports-related activities and discussions.
