Fayetteville Company exceeds recruiting goals

Drew Brooks of the Fayetteville Observer with Recruiting Command Leadership

Story and Photo by

Shahron James

Public Affairs Specialist

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

Despite reports of the U.S. Army failing to meet mission requirements, the Fayetteville Recruiting Company, nicknamed Dawgpound Recruiting, has exceeded their recruiting goals for fiscal year 2015.

Fayetteville Observer reporter, Drew Brooks, sat down with Raleigh Recruiting Battalion leadership Lt. Col. Hudson and Command Sgt. Maj. Cheatum to include Fayetteville Company leadership, Cpt. Baskin and acting 1^st Sergeant, Sgt. 1^st Class Spiesman.

“The Fayetteville Company met their regular Army mission last week. It is an amazing task. Their average on enlistments per recruiter is like no other,” said Lt. Col. Hudson

Fayetteville Company is one of the top recruiting organizations in all of the United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), to include the United States Army Recruiting Europe (USAREUR).

Even so, recruiting in Fayetteville, N.C. is not without its challenges according to Cpt. Baskin.  She spoke of the changes in policy and that, unfortunately, people are turned away.  

“Three out of ten are qualified. Standards are high and they should be. We are building a smarter and stronger Army. Primarily, we are looking for the math and science students to fill the Army’s technology jobs,” she said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Cheatum added, “Recruiting this nation’s sons and daughters is not an easy task, everything is technological. So we have to be 100% professional and make sure we are providing a service as the Army’s ambassadors.”

Almost everyone in the room had some type of personal story as to how the Army has positively affected their lives or the lives of their children.

“We are not taking people from the community. That is not our goal. We are training soldiers to be productive people in the community.  This is true even in my own family. I have put a target on my son for the recruiters here in Fayetteville, “said Lt. Col. Hudson.

 “My son entered into the Army 10 years ago and has definitely become a more mature and productive citizen,” said Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Cheatum.

“Recruiters are critical to that process and in letting enlistees know the truth,” he said.

Lt. Col. Hudson added, “No one remembers their first commander or their 1^st Sgt., but everyone remembers their recruiting experience and most likely their recruiter.” 

“You know the bottom line is we love what we do. It really is one of the greatest jobs in the Army. It is a blessing,” he said.