SSG Craig Wester
ARNG Recruiter of the Year
SSG Craig Wester was born and raised in Seattle, WA. He joined the Army in 1989 as an 11B Infantryman with the 82nd Airborne Division. SSG Wester deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Desert Shield/ Storm. After his initial four year enlistment, SSG Wester reenlisted and became a 68D Operating Room Specialist. He was assigned to a forward area surgical team in Ft. Lewis, WA. Always looking for a challenge, SSG Wester volunteered in 1995 for a tour as a USAREC Recruiter and was assigned to the Sacramento Recruiting Battalion. He spent four years as a recruiter and Station Commander throughout the state of California. Some of his accolades from USAREC were being selected as the Rookie of the Year in 1996 and the Top Active Army Recruiter of the Year in 1997 for the Sacramento Battalion.
In 1999 SSG Wester left the Army in pursuit of a new civilian career as a sales representative in the moving and storage industry. For the next 10 years SSG Wester worked with 3 different companies within the state of Arizona. SSG Wester was recognized as the salesperson of the year for Bekins in 2003 and Allied Van Lines in 2006. Having always missed the Army, in 2009 he sought out an opportunity to become a RSP NCO with the Arizona Recruiting and Retention Battalion. This opportunity turned into another that led SSG Wester to becoming a Recruiting and Retention NCO. SSG Wester's primary goal was to lead, mentor and develop Soldiers.
As a National Guard Recruiter he excels at supporting his community. He volunteers at the Arizona State Veterans Home and Habitat for Humanity on a consistent basis. SSG Wester enjoys assisting the veterans that have done so much for our Country and the supporting local residents within the state constructing homes for deserving families.
SSG Wester's military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry School, the Basic Airborne Course, Operating Room Specialist, Air Load Planner Course, Station Commander's Course, 79T Conversion Course and the Army Basic Instructor Course.
SSG Wester's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation medal (w/2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (w7 OLC), SWA Service Medal, Kuwait liberation medal, Overseas Ribbon, Arizona Army Volunteer Service ribbon. Additionally, he has earned Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist badge, German Airborne Wings, Senior Recruiting Badge, Gold recruiting Badge with 3 Sapphires and the Army Recruiter Ring. SSG Wester has also been awarded the following for FY11, the Directors 54 Award, RRAC VII RRNCO of the Year and the Top RRNCO of the Year award for the Army National Guard.
SSG Wester and his wife Chantal have one cat: Mimi.
