[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 110 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING MILITARY SERVICE OF COLONEL JOE N. WILBURN 
                   ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AUSTIN SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 23, 2012

  Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of his 
retirement from the United States Air Force, I rise to recognize 
Colonel Joe N. Wilburn for his twenty-six years of commissioned service 
to our country. In his most recent assignment, he was the Commander, 
Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service, Robins AFB, Georgia. In this 
role, he served as advisor to the Air Force Reserve Command Commander, 
Vice Commander, senior staff and field numbered Air Force and wing 
commanders on all matters relating to recruiting for the Air Force 
Reserve. He commanded and exercised oversight for more than 450 
military and civilian personnel worldwide at forty-five main operating 
locations and numerous satellite offices.
  Colonel Wilburn joined the Air Force on June 27, 1982 when he 
reported in as a cadet at the Air Force Academy. He was commissioned as 
a Second Lieutenant on May 28, 1986, with an undergraduate degree in 
International Affairs. While stationed at MacDill AFB, he deployed to 
the Middle East in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert 
Storm. Upon returning from deployment, he was selected to be the Chief 
of Operations at the 369th Recruiting Squadron in Los Angeles, 
California. Colonel Wilburn later joined the Air National Guard where 
he performed duties with the 148th Combat Communications Squadron in 
Ontario, California. In April 2000, he was asked to lead a Recruiting 
Flight at March Air Reserve Base, California. Because of his success at 
March Air Reserve Base, Colonel Wilburn was chosen to be a Program 
Manager on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii.
  Due to his achievements and unwavering dedication to his country, it 
was no surprise he was chosen to be the Commander of Air Force Reserve 
Recruiting. During his almost four years as Commander, Colonel Wilburn 
was responsible for accessing 39,268 new citizen airmen. His innovative 
ideas and exemplary leadership skills allowed his team of recruiters to 
focus their accession practices on targeting prior service candidates, 
which saved the Air Force Reserve Command over $600 million dollars in 
training costs.
  Colonel Wilburn could not have been such a tremendous leader without 
the support of his wife of thirteen years, Monica, his daughter Maya, 
and his son Jason. Colonel Wilburn also owes much of his success to his 
parents Joe Wilburn, Senior, and his mother Merrie as well as his in-
laws, Dudley and JoAnne Latham. We thank them for helping to develop 
and mold such an outstanding leader for our military.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in expressing our sincere 
appreciation to Colonel Joe N. Wilburn for his outstanding service to 
both the United States Air Force and our great nation. We wish him and 
his family the best of luck as he transitions into retirement. Colonel 
Wilburn is a true professional and a credit to himself, his family, and 
the United States Air Force.

                          ____________________