Brigadier Basic Craig McPike is the Deputy Commander of the US 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 frontrunner whose affect has benefited many Individuals in addition to the nation itself.
Whereas many children had a number of goals 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 had been objectives I had from a really early age.”
Being His Finest for Others and Self
Being in any department of the United States Armed Forces required being fit, strong, and holding yourself to a high standard. Like many younger Individuals, McPike grew up taking part in soccer, basketball, and baseball. Soccer was the place he excelled, and he went on to play on the school stage as a Texas A&M Aggie.
“Being match and in form was at all times an enormous a part of my life.”
Throughout these early life in school, McPike cut up time between his roles as student-athlete and a member of the Corps of Cadets. He was additionally finding out to turn out to be a civil engineer. Apart from PT with the Corps of Cadets and follow with the soccer crew, 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 provides that recommendation to different school or highschool people that want 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 persist with that dedication for the crew and to your Corps outfit.”
Profession Highlights
Because of his commitments and requirements he positioned on himself, McPike realized his childhood dream after which some. Since coming into service in 1994, he has held assignments at 5 completely 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 Advantage 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 of keep throughout the Air Drive requirements. That has been a significant spotlight in my thoughts.”
The Dedication Stays the Identical
Now that he’s in his mid-50s, McPike acknowledges that he might not be capable of do what he might do again in his school 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 health club and on the monitor.”
That mentioned, whether or not he’s placing extra steps in on the treadmill or having smaller meals along with his spouse, Jennifer, McPike has discovered methods to honor his self-commitment to excellence. One such means is by biking, which he lately began doing and is actually having fun with.
“I discovered it to be much less put on and tear on the physique, however it requires somewhat extra time on the bike to get the identical outcomes.”
If biking is one thing you’d take into consideration doing, then McPike suggests discovering a rhythm and doing all your finest to keep up it.
“In case 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 method to thank those who helped him in addition to pay it ahead.
“I get to make use of my story for instance and to assist others set their very own objectives and assist them obtain it.”
Recruitment for the army had seen its justifiable share of struggles lately, however the pendulum has swung the opposite means, and the Air Drive has seen nice success on this entrance. They met their 2025 recruitment objectives early and are nicely on their method to do the identical for fiscal yr 2026.
McPike provides a big portion of the credit score to efficient advertising and marketing 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 chargeable for recruiting members for the Air Drive, House Drive, Air Nationwide Guard, and Reserves. Their doorways stay open for extra members to be part of their drive.
“There are nice advantages within the army, nice pay, expertise, training, you may learn to be a frontrunner and work with folks,” he defined. “Ultimately, you may have an awesome resume, attributes, and should you select to remain lengthy sufficient, a retirement test.”
Get Prepared So You Can Keep Prepared
If becoming a member of the Air Drive is part of your future, or in case you are merely impressed by the army and wish to get in higher form, then the time to start out is now. McPike means that with the ability to run a mile and a half at the least in not more than quarter-hour and with the ability to carry out 50 pushups and sit-ups in a minute every is a stable place to begin. McPike urged making it part of your common exercises will assist each with coaching effectivity and function checkpoints for progress.
“I attempt to do PT exams each time I’m going to the health club,” he said. “Once I take the Air Drive PT check, 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 those who do be a part of him within the Air Drive will be capable of expertise comparable success whereas carrying the mission of service ahead.
“It’s one thing you’ll be happy 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 study extra about becoming a member of the Air Force or Space Force, go to their respective web sites.
M&F Senior Navy Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this text.
