LOCAL NATIONAL GUARD RECRUITER EXEMPLIFIES DEVOTION

Craft types a report in his office at the Cape Girardeau armory.

Motivation and dedication are some of the characteristics attributed to Sgt. Chad Craft of Jackson. These qualities may also explain Craft's exemplary performance as recruiter for the Missouri Army National Guard's 1140th Engineer Battalion.

In February Craft was one of the top two recruiters in Missouri. Last year, Craft's first as a recruiter, he was named Top New Recruiter. This year, so far, Craft is the lead production recruiter in the entire state having enlisted 26 new recruits for the Guard since October.

"I think a recruiter needs to be self motivated and Sgt. Craft definitely is," said 1st Lt. Robert Burlbaugh, the administrative officer of the 1140th. "He presents himself in a professional manner. And of course he's young enough to appeal to the needs of the age group of the National Guard."

Burlbaugh says Craft is a salesman, as are all recruiters, but adds that recruiters have it a litter tougher than other salesmen.

"He's selling an intangible idea," Burlbough said, "and that's more difficult. He probably gets a lot more no's than most salesmen."

That's probably true. Since Craft began his job as a recruiter in 1993, he has always met his quota -- five new recruits a month. And while that may not sound like much, many recruiters have trouble attaining this many. Not Craft. Often, he goes over five, once even getting as many as seven.

That was in February, and that got him a Recruiter of the Month plaque.

Craft's commanding officer, Capt. Todd Anderson, has his own opinion as to why Craft does such a good job.

"He believes in the product," Anderson said. "He believes in the good the Guard has done for the community and he's a community boy."

Craft is a bit more modest than his commanders as to the secrets of his success. He says that the Guard sells itself with the educational incentives and good pay.

And he says the Guards image has changed.

"We had a large role in Dessert Storm," Craft said, "and have some local units in Bosnia -- Kennett and Caruthersville. We've gained a lot of respect and that helps."

He also said that this is a good recruiting area and there are a lot of good area high schools.

But Craft says the primary explanation for his success is the support he gets from his commanders.

"Anything I need, they see that I get it," Craft said. "The line of communication is solid. I couldn't do the job without them."

After graduating from Jackson High School, Craft joined the Guard, though he's a bit reluctant to admit to his reasons.

"My initial reason for joining was the college benefits. I wish I could say it was something more patriotic than that, but that's it."

But Craft says the Guard has taught him a lot since he joined and has instilled a strong sense of patriotism.

And the National Guard has helped him in many other ways. Thanks to the Guard, he was able to work his way through college and, upon graduation, Craft decided to make recruiting his career.

"I liked the economic side of the job," Craft said. "It was important enough for me to want to do it full-time, but I also wanted to stay near my family."

He liked what the Guard stands for and felt like he was helping his community.

Craft was one of the soldiers activated during the floods of 1993. He was stationed at Ste. Genevieve and Festus and said the Guard kept Ste. Genevieve alive.

"I saw all this training and people coming together, helping the community and I was impressed," Craft said.

He also likes traveling and that's something the Guard has given him plenty of. He's been to such exciting places as Panama, Ecuador, Honduras and Germany.

Recruiting is selling, Craft admits, and he says he does have a technique.

"I ask them what they want from the Guard," Craft says simply. "If the Guard is offering what they want, the rest is pretty easy."

And he tries to relate to the potential recruits, too.

"Most of the people I deal with I can see a bit of myself in," he said. "That's probably the rewarding part of the job, helping people better themselves."