New York Air Guard Recruiter and Montgomery resident Tech Sgt. Franklin Angel is named best in total Air Force

For the second year in a row, the 105th Airlift Wing member has been awarded the Air Force Blue Suit recruiting award

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Newburgh, N.Y. (04/23/2025) — New York Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Franklin Angel, a Montgomery resident and a recruiter in the 105th Airlift Wing, was named top recruiter in the entire Air Force for his efforts in 2024.

Angel recruited 80.5 new Airmen in 2024, more than any other Air Force recruiter. This included new recruits, and prior service members of the Air Force and other branches.

He recruited half a new Airman by splitting the credit with another wing's recruiter.

This happens when a new recruit is interested in a career the 105th doesn't have an opening for or when they might be a better fit in another unit.

Angel received the Air Force Blue Suit Award which recognizes outstanding recruiters.

"Tech. Sgt. Angel is an exceptionally talented recruiter," said Master Sgt. Grant Drumgold, the 105th recruiting flight chief said. "He manages nearly 100 applicants at once and makes each recruit feel as if they're his only applicant. No recruiter has done more to bolster the Air National Guard's manning in the last two years than Tech. Sgt. Angel. It's an honor to serve alongside him."

Angel also received the Blue Suit Award for his efforts in 2023. Angel was named Rookie Recruiter of the Year and awarded his first Blue Suit Award for his high enlistment rates exceeding those of his peers with similar experience.

This achievement makes him the first Air National Guard recruiter to win the award twice and in back-to-back years.

Angel became a recruiter in 2021, following seven years as a member of the 105th Base Defense Squadron.

He explained that after two deployments and other trips, he was ready for a change of pace that would challenge him and help him learn new skills.

So, he traded the security forces beret for a recruiter tab on the right arm of his uniform and a new focus on bringing new talent into the New York Air Guard.

"We're not just supporting the Air Force as a whole, were supporting our communities and state," Angel said.

"Everyone sees our C-17s flying around, but they also see us serving during state emergencies, doing missions only the Air Guard can undertake," he said.

"It's amazing seeing people go from their civilian job to their guard job, go on deployments and missions, and then be able to go back their regular day-to-day when the mission is over," Angel added.

After receiving his first Blue Suit Award in March 2024, Angel said he had a choice to make: take a step back from the top spot or continue striving for excellence in his service to the guard.

"One of the reasons I aimed for Blue Suit again was due to my wife," Angel said.

"A big factor toward my accomplishments is due to her support and understanding. Blue Suit does a fantastic job of acknowledging not just our efforts, but the contributions our spouses make toward our job. I wanted her to experience the spotlight and praise," he said.

Angel credited his success to the help and support he gets from his team and family and his motivation to learn the best and most accurate ways to recruit incoming members.

He said he also has the ideal location of the 105th, about 90 minutes north of New York, to help bring in new Airmen.

Angel was formally recognized by Air Force Recruiting Service for his second Blue Suit Award in March 2025 alongside 13 other award recipients, including 10 active-duty, two reserve and one other guard recruiter.

There are over 1,000 Air Force recruiters worldwide.

Angel said he is focused on his 2025 recruiting goals, but he recognizes that it will be a challenge to beat his record 2024 year.

But it is a challenge he is willing to take on, he said.

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