Local recruiter helps Tar Heels cross into different shade of blue

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Greg Biondo
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
With more than 15 years in service, Tech. Sgt. William W. Forsythe demonstrates that he is just as dedicated to the Air Force as he was the day he "crossed into the blue." 

Sergeant Forsythe's determination to do the best job as an Air Force recruiter is reflected in his performance by becoming one of twelve annual Operation Blue Suit winners. Operation Blue Suit is a program started in 1979 and was designed to improve recruiting efforts during the slower months of February through May. 

Sergeant Forsythe grew up in the small military town of Havelock, N.C., home of Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. Growing up in a Marine Corps family, Sergeant Forsythe already had an inside look at the military life style and knew the Air Force would be a great avenue to branch out on his own. 

Sergeant Forsythe joined the Air Force in December 1991 to improve his quality of life and support his family and took pride in his job as a personnel systems manager. 

After 12 years in service, he decided to become a recruiter. 

"I wanted to step out of the comfort zone of my career field and do something for the Air Force." said Sergeant Forsythe. "The Air Force has been good to me and my family, and that's another reason I wanted to be a recruiter." 

He was awarded the Air Force Recruiting Service senior recruiter badge his first year as a recruiter with a 146 percent accessions rate. 

For fiscal year 2007, Sergeant Forsythe had a 236 percent accession rate propelling his flight to number two in the country out of 220 flights. 

His accomplishments are a reflection of the total person concept which led to him being recognized as a stellar recruiter through Operation Blue Suit. 

"Being a recruiter is a rewarding job, and I challenge anyone to step up to it," Sergeant Forsythe said.