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Reserve recruit receives oath of enlistment during commander visit

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST --  Not many people are administered the Oath of Enlistment by their prospective wing commander and even fewer have that wing commander perform it at their local Air Force Reserve recruiting office.

New recruit, Airman 1st Class Keon Hannibal can boast that was the way he enlisted in the Reserve April 18 at the Brooklyn satellite office.

Col. Michael Underkofler, 514th Air Mobility Wing commander, performed the honors as part of his acclimation visit with three of the New York and New Jersey recruiter stations. The colonel was briefed about the vast zones or areas of responsibility that that each recruiter is assigned.

The 514th Air Mobility Wing Recruiting Squadron has eight recruiters who cover five sections in the tri-state area to include New York, Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The commander saw first-hand the joint Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and Long Island, N.Y. office in addition to the Hackensack, N.J. office. The other satellite offices are located in Philadelphia and Allentown Pa., and Bronx, N.Y.

"I had a great day learning about some of the challenges about recruiting in a few of our anchor areas, and it was readily apparent that our recruiters work incredibly hard and incredibly long hours to place talented and dedicated citizens into our wing," said Underkofler.

The recruiters briefed the commander on several topics to include: lead sources, economic climate, assessments of local high schools and community colleges and involvement in local community events.

"My staff talked about recruiting in their zones and the daily struggles they face in today's recruiting market," said Senior Master Sgt. Alexander Brown, 514 RS senior recruiter.

The recruiters place about 286 new Airmen in the 514th AMW annually with their focus on filling the career fields where the Air Force Reserve has vacancies. Currently they are looking for members to fill air transportation apprentice openings.

For more information about the Air Force Reserve visit www.afreserve.com .