Brigadier Common Craig McPike is the Deputy Commander of america Air Drive Recruiting Service. The Air Drive Recruiting Service consists of 3,700 complete folks, together with Airmen and civilians. All through his three many years plus of service, McPike has established himself as a pacesetter whose influence has benefited many People in addition to the nation itself.
Whereas many youngsters had a number of desires of what they wished to be once they grew up, McPike knew very early on what he wished to do.
“Rising up, I at all times wished to be an Air Drive pilot and a Wing Commander. These have been objectives I had from a really early age.”
Being His Greatest for Others and Self
Being in any department of the United States Armed Forces required being match, sturdy, and holding your self to a excessive commonplace. Like many younger People, McPike grew up enjoying soccer, basketball, and baseball. Soccer was the place he excelled, and he went on to play on the faculty stage as a Texas A&M Aggie.
“Being match and in form was at all times a giant a part of my life.”
Throughout these adolescence in faculty, McPike cut up time between his roles as student-athlete and a member of the Corps of Cadets. He was additionally learning to grow to be a civil engineer. Apart from PT with the Corps of Cadets and follow with the soccer group, McPike needed to discover methods to get his personal exercises in, however he managed to hit the burden room on some evenings.
“I needed to make it a precedence in my life,” McPike mentioned. He presents that recommendation to different faculty or highschool of us that wish to get in higher form for service, sport, or self. It isn’t a matter of discovering time, making the time is a should.
“The underside line is you may have a dedication, and you must stick with that dedication for the group and in your Corps outfit.”
Profession Highlights
Because of his commitments and requirements he positioned on himself, McPike realized his childhood dream after which some. Since getting into service in 1994, he has held assignments at 5 totally different main instructions. He has over 3,700 flying hours that features
academic, testing, tactical, and fight missions. A few of these hours embody being concerned in operations Southern Watch, Allied Drive, and Freedom’s Sentinel.
Because of his service and management, McPike has earned quite a few awards all through his profession, together with the Protection Superior Service Medal, Legion of Benefit with oak leaf cluster, and the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, amongst a number of others.
“I’m very honored to have served 32 years and be capable to keep inside the Air Drive requirements. That has been a significant spotlight in my thoughts.”
The Dedication Stays the Similar
Now that he’s in his mid-50s, McPike acknowledges that he could not be capable to do what he might do again in his faculty years, however he nonetheless pushes himself to remain in nice form each for his profession and life.
“As soon as I hit 45, I actually had to concentrate to what I eat and spend extra time within the fitness center and on the monitor.”
That mentioned, whether or not he’s placing extra steps in on the treadmill or having smaller meals together with his spouse, Jennifer, McPike has discovered methods to honor his self-commitment to excellence. One such approach is by biking, which he not too long ago began doing and is de facto having fun with.
“I discovered it to be much less put on and tear on the physique, nevertheless it requires slightly extra time on the bike to get the identical outcomes.”
If biking is one thing you’ll take into consideration doing, then McPike suggests discovering a rhythm and doing all your greatest to take care of it.
“When you shift down and pedal sooner, particularly whereas going up a hill, it provides you extra endurance, and you may keep on the bike longer.”
Focusing On The Subsequent Era of Airmen
McPike is now centered on his function as AFRS Deputy Commander, and he sees this as not solely one other alternative to serve however as a option to thank people who helped him in addition to pay it ahead.
“I get to make use of my story for example and to assist others set their very own objectives and assist them obtain it.”
Recruitment for the navy had seen its fair proportion of struggles in recent times, however the pendulum has swung the opposite approach, and the Air Drive has seen nice success on this entrance. They met their 2025 recruitment objectives early and are effectively on their option to do the identical for fiscal yr 2026.
McPike provides a big portion of the credit score to efficient advertising and the recruiters for his or her efforts and being the place the long run members are. That is regardless of being outnumbered by the opposite branches. McPike additionally acknowledges that the success for all branches goes immediately to people who are becoming a member of.
“There’s a way of individuals desirous to serve and placing service earlier than self. I’m very grateful for that.”
The Air Drive Recruiting Service is liable for recruiting members for the Air Drive, Area Drive, Air Nationwide Guard, and Reserves. Their doorways stay open for extra members to be part of their power.
“There are nice advantages within the navy, nice pay, expertise, schooling, you may learn to be a pacesetter and work with folks,” he defined. “In the long run, you may have an incredible resume, attributes, and when you select to remain lengthy sufficient, a retirement examine.”
Get Prepared So You Can Keep Prepared
If becoming a member of the Air Drive is part of your future, or if you’re merely impressed by the navy and need to get in higher form, then the time to begin is now. McPike means that having the ability to run a mile and a half not less than in not more than quarter-hour and having the ability to carry out 50 pushups and sit-ups in a minute every is a strong start line. McPike instructed making it part of your common exercises will assist each with coaching effectivity and function checkpoints for progress.
“I attempt to do PT checks each time I’m going to the fitness center,” he said. “After I take the Air Drive PT take a look at, then it is rather like one other exercise.”
McPike is grateful for Jennifer and their 5 youngsters for supporting him all through his profession and is hopeful that people who do be a part of him within the Air Drive will be capable to expertise related success whereas carrying the mission of service ahead.
“It’s one thing you’ll be pleased with your self for. The accomplishments you’ll make will give your self nice management abilities,” McPike mentioned. ”You’ll give your self an enormous head begin in life.”
To be taught extra about becoming a member of the Air Drive or Area Drive, go to their respective web sites.
M&F Senior Army Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this text.
