Homestead recruiter recognized for efforts

  • Published
  • By Jake Shaw
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  "I like to help people realize the opportunities available to them, and help them achieve goals they thought were impossible," said Staff Sergeant Alex Asencio, 482nd Fighter Wing Reserve Recruiter.

That attitude is partially responsible for an award he recently received, as a Senior Airman, from both the 10th Air Force and Air Force Reserve Command recruiting offices.

Col. Francis Mungavin, AFRC Recruiting Service Commander, presented the "Rising Star" award to Senior Airman Asencio Oct. 30 during a ceremony in Washington D.C. The award recognizes a rookie recruiter with the potential for future success. Airman Asencio competed against approximately 30 other rookie recruiters from Air Force Reserve Command to earn the rising-star distinction.

During his first six months on the job, Asencio reached 300-percent of his recruiting goal, helping his team from Homestead reach their annual goal ahead of schedule. On top of that, he supported several high visibility outreach events and base tours in his first few months on the job.

Also, in the first quarter of this recruiting year, he has reached 52-percent of the minimum number of required recruits.

Now a Staff Sergeant, he is not satisfied with being a rising star. In fact, he has a legacy forged by his family that he is striving to live up to.

"My father is a West Point graduate, my sister was in the Air Force, and basically every man in my family has served in the military," he said.

Asencio started his military career with the Army as a combat engineer, but said his sister taught him to appreciate the Air Force. When his enlistment in the Army ended he decided to join the Air Force Reserve and become a recruiter so he could work with people and help them take advantage of the many opportunities offered by the Air Force Reserve.

"There's so much potential for Air Force reservists. From great training and education benefits and programs, to travel opportunities and flexible scheduling - you can't beat it. It's especially great here at Homestead, where the future growth gives even more opportunities to future Airmen," he said.

As a Rising Star, expectations are high for Airman Asencio, but he seems to shrug off the pressure.

"My job is rewarding. I get to help people achieve their goals and make life-changing decisions. People have great potential when you present them with an opportunity and my job is to connect the dots and help them bring out their best qualities through service in the Air Force Reserve," he said.