Special duty edition: recruiters Published Sept. 11, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Kathryn Stilwell 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- In order to accomplish its mission requirements, the Air Force utilizes service members in specialized positions to perform a specific duty. These special duty assignments allow Airmen to step outside their standard roles and experience a different side of the Air Force. One of these duties is a recruiter, a position held by Staff Sgt. Denise Buffoni, 314th Recruiting Squadron in Dover, Del. "The mission of an Air Force recruiter is to inspire, engage and recruit the brightest, most competitive and diverse men and women for service in the world's greatest Air Force," said Buffoni. Buffoni has been a recruiter for approximately two months and has already put six highly qualified individuals into the Delayed Entry Program. However, there is more to being a recruiter than sending recruits to basic training. Buffoni admits that time-management is the biggest challenge on a day-to-day basis. "In the morning there is all the administrative work that needs to be completed. In the afternoon there are schools to visit for lunchroom presentations. After school visits, I have to get back to my office in order to conduct an appointment with someone who wants to join. Before going home there are phone calls to return and leads to refine." Recruiters prepare for the substantial workload by attending a seven-and-a-half week long course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, but first they must go through a rigorous process to be selected for the assignment. Each recruiter has a different reason behind their decision to volunteer for the special duty assignment and undergo additional training. Buffoni attributes her choice to her recruiter. "He was always professional and really helpful. I believe that really stuck with me, and I wanted to do something like that. It came down to either being a military training instructor or a recruiter, but I chose recruiting because I don't think I have the heart to yell at young adults all day long." Volunteering for the special duty may be time-consuming, yet recruiters can say they played a pivotal role in the beginning of an Airman's career. Buffoni recalls her most memorable moment in the role of a recruiter. "As of now, my most memorable moment was the first three young men and women that swore in with me as their recruiter. It was nerve-racking while they were at the Military Entrance Processing Station, but after they returned and were excited and happy that they were able to swear in, it really made me feel proud of them." Information about becoming a recruiter can be accessed through the Air Force Recruiting Service page located in the AF Portal. Click 'Become a Recruiter'.