BANGOR – Senior Master Sgt. Michael P. Gleason retired Nov. 1 after 24 years as a recruiter for the Maine Air National Guard.

His career in the service began more than 33 years ago in the U.S. Army.

He has been a member of the Air Guard for 28 years, and during his time as a recruiter brought in 960 members to the Air Guard – the equivalent of an entire wing. The Maine Air National Guard named him recruiter of the year for 1988.

At the Bangor Air National Guard Base, Gleason also worked to encourage media coverage of Guard activities, from refueling missions to the annual POW-MIA observance.

He continues to participate in the Honor Guard for the 101st Air Refueling Wing of the Maine National Guard.