SPOONER, Wis. -- Washburn County Sheriff's Deputy and Army National Guard Recruiter William (Bill) Shafer recently sat down with DrydenWire.com for our 3rd Dock Talk at the Dock Coffee in downtown Spooner. The Dock Talk is a twice-monthly segment where we chat with a member of our community in a Q-and-A format.
What kind of coffee are you drinking today?
I picked their house blend: Dock Blend [The Dock Blend is a medium roast, three-bean blend: Guatemalan, Sumatra, and Costa Rican]
Do you drink a lot a coffee?
I like coffee…Anyone who knows me can tell you the same. You’ve heard of social smokers? Well, I don’t smoke, but it’s fair to say that I am ‘social coffee drinker.’ I can never turn a cup of coffee down!
You are not from the area originally, correct?
Correct. I was born in Sauk County, Reedsburg Wisconsin, which is near Wisconsin Dells. I don’t remember too much because I only lived in that area for 2 years. Then my family relocated to Grant County, Fennimore Wisconsin, which is where I attended Fennimore School District and college.
Did you work when you were attending college?
While in my first year of college, I was hired by Grant County Sheriff’s Office as a part-time jailer and sheriff’s deputy. It was crazy because I was only 19 years old and my mother actually purchased my firearm for me. I strongly believe having the Wisconsin Army National Guard on my resume helped me through the hiring process.
After I graduated from college in December of 2002, I was activated to Iraq in February of 2003 and came home in May of 2004.
Were you nervous about going to IRAQ? What was your experience like?
Yes and no. I was nervous like anyone would be heading to a foreign country where rampant terrorism was flooding the lands. But, on the same note, I was extremely eager to get over there and try to make a difference. I turned 21 years of age overseas and was a gunner on top of HUMVEE. It was one of best experiences of my life! I had the magnificent opportunity to visit several biblical sites in Iraq like the City of Babylon, birth place of Father Abraham, Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to just name a few. I was deployed with the 229th Combat Support Engineer Company where I provided security for the heavy equipment operators who built several FOB’s (Forward Operating Bases) and MSR’s (main supply routes) all around Iraq.
What did you do after you came home?
On completion of my tour in Iraq, I came home and obtained full-time employment with the Siren Police Department. I left my hometown area to start a new chapter in my life with a new community.
Why Siren?
People, there are very welcoming and it has everything in a small village without the big city atmosphere. (Which I love!) I strongly believe God brought me to the Village of Siren, because that is where I met my lovely wife Amanda, and together have 3 wonderful boys.
I worked for Siren Police Department for almost 4 years before making an enormous career move. I took a position as a full-time recruiter for the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 2008. I was extremely nervous about recruiting because I didn’t know much about it and I didn’t want the title “Recruiter” because it can come several negative stereotypes. All I knew was my passion for the military.
Why did you decide to do recruiting instead of staying in Law Enforcement?
Once I became established within my communities, it was pretty easy to recruit. What I should say is the recruiting recruited for itself. I just put in 110% effort into each person who wanted to join the Wisconsin Army National Guard and they brought their friends and family member to me and they also joined. I didn’t act like a typical recruiter, I had the opportunity to coach, teach, and mentor each person who joined my team with the Guard. Anyone that knows me through the Guard can tell you the same.
While recruiting, I also worked as a part-time Sheriff’s Deputy with the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office. In June of 2013, I left my full-time recruiting position and obtained a full-time position as a Sheriff’s Deputy with the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office.
So back to Law Enforcement again? Why the change/move?
With the sheriff’s office, I was working nights and I loved it! I can’t lie… I am a kind of person who needs some adrenaline in my life. I was only on midnights for a short time, because I moved into a new position within the sheriff’s office as a juvenile officer. I had the opportunity to work with kids and teach programs within the schools. It felt like I was back working as recruiter a little bit. I was teaching a program called CounterAct with 5th and 6th grades students throughout Washburn County helping and assisting them with making decisions and understanding certain consequences that may come from the choices they make. It was a truly rewarding experience when you can assist people and make a difference.
In October of 2014, I deployed with the 950th Route Clearance Engineer Company to Afghanistan. The Washburn County Sheriff’s Office was very supportive and assisted me and my family when I was overseas.
After returning home from Afghanistan, I worked as the juvenile officer for a short time, only because it was removed as a daily duty within the department. I then became a patrol deputy again to serve the citizens of Washburn County. I wasn’t getting the same adrenaline feeling I did before, and I felt torn away from my schools and students I became so close with.
May 1st of this year, I was asked to come back and assist in the efforts of recruiting for the Wisconsin Army National Guard in Spooner WI. I couldn’t turn it down!
Ok, so are you still working for Washburn County?
I took a leave of absence from the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office to recruit. I am still currently employed with the sheriff’s office, but I am just not physically working there.
I'm seeing a pattern here. Is it that like them both so much you have a hard time picking just one?
I don’t have a hard time picking a career because I am doing them both. As of May 1, this year, I have been a certified law enforcement officer for the State of Wisconsin for 16 years. This coming October, I will hit my 19-year mark with the Wisconsin Army National Guard. I joined the Guard at the age of 17 and went to basic combat training the summer in-between my junior and senior year of high school.
Which do you like being more, a cop or a recruiter? Are there similarities?
This is a difficult question, but I respect it. I’ll try to speak from the heart and answer your questions the best I can. They have their respective similarities I feel, but some of the self-rewards come faster than the others.
As a police officer, I always try to find the good in people, because sometimes I have to deal with a person at their worst time of their life. If the situation allows, I will try to ask myself why they did this, or what make them act this way. Like I said, if the situation dictates I will then convey those questions to the subject(s), I am dealing with and try to go deeper into their life to see if I can make a change. A lot of times I have an opportunity to chat and try to make a difference, but there are a lot of other processes the person might have to go through and I never know if I made a transformation or not. I don’t get a return satisfaction I would like, but I also hope the best for them.
As a recruiter for the Wisconsin Army National Guard, I have the opportunity to coach, teach, and mentor the citizens I work with and the return of rewards arises much faster. Like I said earlier, I left recruiting for a short time, and I saw a lot of people I assisted into the Guard that has now completed college debt free, became leaders, such as sergeants and a couple have even become lieutenants. It’s crazy because the lieutenants are officers who out rank me, and I now salute them!
Bottom line is that I try to go above and beyond for each job. In the law enforcement world, just because a person messed up doesn’t make them a bad person in every situation.
In the military world, I am with the person almost every step of the process of becoming a soldier. I have achieved the Master Recruiting Badge and United States Army Drill Sergeant Badge. I can almost answer any question thrown at me, and if I can’t, I will find a person who can give me an honest answer to better serve the applicant trying to join. I can flawlessly assist anyone who wants to join and am qualified to assist anyone who has questions about basic training.
What or who influenced you in your life to became the person you are today?
I had several negative influences from my biological father while growing up, which became positive influences for me today. I elected to do everything opposite of what I knew of him and became the man I am today.
Going back to what you said earlier, I will admit I have heard a lot of stereotypes about recruiters – most of them are not great.
They may not have been great, or maybe they were. I wish I had every person that I have recruited with me right now to answer this question.
I’m different and here is why. I live in the community in which I serve in with the Wisconsin Army National Guard. I am assuming a stereotype you have heard is that recruiters are untruthful. I can tell you and everyone else that I will not lie to anyone because it jeopardizes my integrity and the Guard as a whole. I did not become the successful recruiter I am today because of being untruthful. I became successful because of my passion for helping and assisting each person with their personal goals and dreams.
Recruiters of other branches are normally in that position for approximately 2 years and then they reassign to a different duty location. I am here for the long haul and will always be part of the community in which I serve whether it’s in law enforcement or recruiting.
If my past soldiers I have enlisted could comment, I am sure they will tell you how I recruit, which is I only want what is best for the person who is speaking with me. I will do everything I can to assist them in their efforts.
If a teenager, or a parent of a teen, is reading this and are considering military service, what would you want them to know?
I will challenge them to speak with me first, whether they are interested in a different branch or not. I believe it’s important to explore one's options before making a decision. I can help develop questions that may arise and I am not afraid to dip into the grey areas. It’s important to get as much information as you can vs. meeting a recruiter who just tells you what you may want to hear. If the Wisconsin Army National Guard isn’t for you after we speak, I will assist you in any way I can, just try me!
What are 3 things that people that know you, might not know about you?
- I want to open a taxidermy shop someday.
- I love to fly, and I am currently over half way from getting my private pilot’s license
- Bow Hunting… I love to bow hunt! No hamburger in my house, just venison!
Last question, if someone was interested in learning more about the Army National Guard and would like to speak with you, how would they go about doing that?
They can call me anytime at 715-701-0942 or email me at william.j.shafer4.mil@mail.mil or simply walk into the Spooner National Guard Armory located at 624 East Maple Street. Big tank in the front yard, can't miss it.
Last Update: Jun 02, 2017 7:40 am CDT
