Brigadier Basic Craig McPike is the Deputy Commander of the USA Air Drive Recruiting Service. The Air Drive Recruiting Service contains 3,700 whole folks, together with Airmen and civilians. All through his three a long time plus of service, McPike has established himself as a frontrunner whose affect has benefited many People in addition to the nation itself.
Whereas many children had a number of goals of what they needed to be once they grew up, McPike knew very early on what he needed to do.
“Rising up, I all the time needed 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 normal. 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 degree as a Texas A&M Aggie.
“Being match and in form was all the time an enormous a part of my life.”
Throughout these adolescence in faculty, McPike break up time between his roles as student-athlete and a member of the Corps of Cadets. He was additionally learning to turn into a civil engineer. Apart from PT with the Corps of Cadets and observe with the soccer staff, 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 stated. He affords that recommendation to different faculty or highschool people that need 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 could have a dedication, and it’s important to keep on with that dedication for the staff 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 completely different main instructions. He has over 3,700 flying hours that features
instructional, testing, tactical, and fight missions. A few of these hours embrace 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 of keep throughout the Air Drive requirements. That has been a serious spotlight in my thoughts.”
The Dedication Stays the Identical
Now that he’s in his mid-50s, McPike acknowledges that he could not be capable of do what he may 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 health club and on the observe.”
That stated, 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 manner is by biking, which he just lately began doing and is actually having fun with.
“I discovered it to be much less put on and tear on the physique, nevertheless it requires just a little 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 of your finest to take care of it.
“Should you shift down and pedal sooner, particularly whereas going up a hill, it provides you extra endurance, and you’ll keep on the bike longer.”
Focusing On The Subsequent Technology of Airmen
McPike is now targeted on his position 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 example 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 in recent times, however the pendulum has swung the opposite manner, 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 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 straight to those who are becoming a member of.
“There’s a way of individuals eager to serve and placing service earlier than self. I’m very grateful for that.”
The Air Drive Recruiting Service is answerable 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 power.
“There are nice advantages within the army, nice pay, expertise, training, you possibly can discover ways to be a frontrunner and work with folks,” he defined. “In the long run, you could have an amazing resume, attributes, and if you happen to 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 if you’re merely impressed by the army and wish to get in higher form, then the time to begin is now. McPike means that with the ability to run a mile and a half not less than 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 start line. McPike steered making it part of your common exercises will assist each with coaching effectivity and function checkpoints for progress.
“I attempt to do PT assessments each time I’m going to the health club,” 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 kids for supporting him all through his profession and is hopeful that those who do be 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 stated. ”You’ll give your self an enormous head begin in life.”
To study extra about becoming a member of the Air Drive or House Drivego to their respective web sites.
M&F Senior Army Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this text.
