March Reserve recruiters worked diligently to secure 25 men and women who entered the Delayed Enlistment Program and participated in an annual mass enlistment ceremony, Oct. 11.
Col. Samuel Mahaney, 452nd Air Mobility Wing commander, administered the Oath of Enlistment to the DEPers at the March Field Air Museum as their friends, families and recruiters watched.
“Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Squadron organizes this annual contest to see who can get the most publicity and stimulate community awareness of the Air Force Reserve,” said Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Peté, March senior recruiter. “The purpose of the mass enlistment is to provide an incentive for the recruiters to get a jumpstart on the (fiscal) year.”
“These recruits had the honor of being commissioned in front of the venerable SR-71 Blackbird — an aircraft that was ahead of its time and performed great service to the nation,” Mahaney said.
Of the 11 women and 14 men who took the oath, the common thread that brought them together can be linked to one of the U.S. Air Force’s Core Values of Service Before Self. They have positioned themselves to be of great service to this nation, much like the Blackbird that loomed behind them.
“Enlistment day is one that none of these recruits will ever forget and it fills me with a great sense of pride and confidence to know that our future will be in the hands of these young people,” Mahaney said. “They are smart, energetic, and motivated and have recognized their responsibility and duty to give back to this great nation.”
