Over the past decade, military enlistments have trended downward, but you can’t blame Ohio Air National Guard Master Sgt. Todd Parkison for that.
In January, Parkison, who serves as the Ohio production superintendent with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, became the first National Guard recruiter to reach 700 enlistments. And while that’s an impressive number, Parkison is more interested in bettering people’s lives than hitting any personal milestones.
“It was always something I wanted to give back to the community,” Parkison said. “Try to enlist as many people as I could to give them the same opportunities that the Air National Guard provided for me.”
He admitted that high school wasn’t easy for him, and he felt like his career prospects were limited.
“I wasn’t the best student, I didn’t have the best grades, and I didn’t have any confidence,” Parkison said. “Basic training, that kind of flipped the switch, and they allowed me to realize that if I could complete that, then I was good enough to complete anything.”
Parkison’s career in the Guard started in aircraft maintenance and technology. He spent eight years in the maintenance field, rising to the rank of master sergeant and serving as the shop chief. But his desire to give back to the community led him to recruiting.
“Basic training, that kind of flipped the switch, and they allowed me to realize that if I could complete that, then I was good enough to complete anything.” – Master Sgt. Todd Parkison
Thirteen years and hundreds of recruits later, Parkison attributes his success to his work ethic and a supporting, understanding family.
“I worked all the time,” he said, recalling that he once had to step away from a family dinner at Disney World to help a recruit find an important missing form. “Even if I was off, I was on. … My wife looked at me and I just told her, ‘They’re not the most important thing in my life right now – my family is. However, I’m the most important thing in their life. I need to be available.’
“And I think my wife understood that, and it allowed me to not ever worry about working when I was at home or off the clock because she knew that was my responsibility.”
While the basics of recruiting hasn’t changed much in Parkison’s time in service – attending events and scheduling school visits – he said that some recruiters over the past 10 years have used social media as a useful tool. However, it’s just that: a tool.
“Ultimately, I think the fundamentals of recruiting are still getting in front of that applicant, building trust and being there for them,” Parkison said.
Senior Airman Ivy Thomas, who met Parkison when he was her volleyball coach, can attest to that.
“So, funny story, I originally enlisted with the Army [National Guard],” Thomas said. “I wanted to be a combat medic.”
But then she saw Parkison in his uniform and started asking questions about his job. He told her that the Air Guard would be a better fit for her.
“[The Army recruiters] just weren’t as persistent and helpful as Todd was,” Thomas said. “So he signed me over.”
Thomas joined the guard in 2021 as a public affairs specialist, and she still considers Parkison a friend and mentor.
“I think what makes him such a good recruiter and a good volleyball coach is he puts his heart and soul into it,” Thomas said. “He takes care of his people. … He’s driven, he’s motivated, and he really does want to make a difference in people’s lives.”
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