The 2011 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition with over 30,000 attendees was arguably the best ever.But then I say that every year.The reason I say this is because it’s true. It just seems to get bigger and better every year.And, this year is shaping up to be another great event.We have again this year invited the U.S. Army Drill Sergeants, Army Recruiters of the Year and the AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year to be our special guests for the 2012 Annual Meeting.This elite group of noncommissioned officers is the common denominator in the lives of soldiers.Every soldier – past, present and future – has had or will have an up-close and personal relationship with one or more of this influential group of noncommissioned officers.This year’s U.S. Army Recruiter of the Year is Sgt. 1st Class Tilton L. Washington, who served for three years as a recruiter assigned to the 2d Brigade, Columbia Recruiting Battalion, Florence Recruiting Company, Myrtle Beach Recruiting Station."This was a tough challenge, because you really have to get into the regulations to understand recruiting," Washington said.Adding, "My time as a recruiter has been outstanding. What I take from this entire experience is the leadership attributes I have learned, public speaking skills required to be an outstanding leader, and the ongoing friendships that will never end."Washington has completed his recruiting assignment and currently serves as both a platoon sergeant and an ammunition logistics NCOIC assigned to 296th Brigade Support Battalion, deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Combined Task Force Arrowhead.Washington is a graduate of the Warrior Leader, Advanced Leader, Senior Leader, and the Master Fitness courses.He has been married since Sept. 3, 1999, to Saba and they have one daughter, Alicia.The Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention NCO of the Year is Sgt. 1st Class Craig Wester, who is stationed in Phoenix, Ariz. and assigned to the Arizona Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.He enjoys assisting the veterans that have done so much for our country and supporting local residents.He excels at supporting his community and consistently volunteers at the Arizona State Veteran’s Home and Habitat for Humanity.Wester is a graduate of Infantry Initial Entry Training, Basic Airborne, Army Instructor, Operating Room, and Station Commander’s courses.Wester is married to Chantal and they have one cat, Mimi.The United States Army Reserve Recruiting NCO of the Year is Staff Sgt. Stephen Sibley, who is stationed in West Palm Beach, Fla., and is assigned to the Miami Recruiting Battalion, Royal Palm Beach Recruiting Station."Recruiting gives you a sense of accomplishment because you know for 100 percent of the applicants you are enlisting you are changing their lives," Sibley said, who has been a recruiter for three years.He added, "It is easy being a recruiter when you believe in the Army and what the Army does for families and soldiers."Sibley’s current position is the assistant station commander.He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Primary Leadership Development, Advanced Leadership, and Center Commander’s courses.Sibley is married to Cori and they have two children, a daughter, Taelyn, and a son, Stephen.So, mark your calendars and start making plans to attend the AUSA Annual Meeting.The Army Ten-Miler is Sunday, Oct. 21, followed by three days of world-class professional development experiences.The meeting is at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Oct. 22 to 24.Still Serving!