Reservists key to Get 1 Now recruiting program

  • Published
  • By Maj. Elizabeth Caraway
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  A defining characteristic--and key strength--of the Air Force Reserve is the unique and diverse skill sets in its members. Our Airmen serve in a vast array of civilian career fields. Some have served in the active duty Air Force or other services. The 445th Recruiting Office gets to see it all, speaking with people from all walks of life and guiding them through the process of joining military service.

Master Sgt. Vincent Majors, a line recruiter, came from another career field and has found the job to be "an exciting experience."

"I love this job. Every day offers something different. There is no 'typical' day as a recruiter," said Majors.

In addition to following up with leads, searching for placements, and coordinating substantial amounts of paperwork and appointments, recruiters often speak at schools, clubs, and special events about Air Force service.

Majors said the recruiters are in a type of ambassador role. "When potential recruits come in, we not only represent the unit, we are the face of the Air Force Reserve, the face of the military."

Now Airmen, too, have the opportunity to help guide family and friends to the Reserves through the online Get 1 Now site, https://get1now.us/.

The Get 1 Now program encourages Reservists to recommend qualified people with whom they wish to serve. If your referral joins the Air Force Reserve, you get credit for an accession and become eligible for awards like coolers, laptop sleeves, and clothing.

"Some of our best reservists come from reservists," said Senior Master Sgt. Yvette Larson, senior recruiter. "Reservists refer friends and civilian coworkers. If you work with them well in your civilian job, you could work with them well in the Reserves."

Recruiters from the 445th AW place recruits at multiple are locations, for example Grissom Air Reserve Base, Youngstown Air Reserve Station and Wright-Patterson AFB.

Although most career fields in the wing are open to hires, the recruiting office is actively seeking to fill positions in aerospace medicine, intelligence, aircrew, and aeromedical evacuation.

Considerations include age (17-39 for non-prior service), prior arrests, drug use, citizenship (at least two years required on a green card), overall health, and "conscientious objections"--religious, moral or personal reasons a person will not or cannot use weapons in a military capacity.

Unfortunately, sometimes despite a strong desire to serve, applicants do not qualify.

"The hardest part of the job is disappointing applicants who, for one reason or another, are not qualified to serve," said Majors.

The 445th Airlift Wing has a full complement of skilled recruiters who can answer questions or assist you with referrals: Senior Master Sgt. Robert Mielke, flight chief; Master Sgt. Yvette Larson, senior recruiter; Master Sgt. Joseph Hedges, in-service recruiter; Master Sgt. Milton Lezcano, Huber Heights South; Master Sgt. Vincent Majors, Huber Heights North; Master Sgt. James Bauer, officer accession; Master Sgt. Edward Norris; Florence, Kentucky; Tech. Sgt. Brittany Paus, Dublin, Ohio; and Staff Sgt. Thomas Bruner, on-base recruiter.

Phone numbers for all recruiters are available through a link on the 445th Airlift Wing page at http://www.445aw.afrc.af.mil/ or you can stop by the office in building 4014, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.