Recruiters team with students for refurbishing project Published March 6, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. William Daniels 311th Recruiting Squadron CANONSBURG, Pa. (AFRS) -- Members of the 311th Recruiting Squadron here, recently partnered with Western Area Career and Technology Center to refurbish the squadron's mini-jets. "With the emphasis on the 'Recruiter after Next' and the need for our marketing shop to provide the field with quality marketing assets, it was natural to reach out to the staff and students of WACTC," said Tech. Sgt. David Spears, 311 Recruiting Squadron marketing representative. Air Force Recruiting Service's 'Recruiter after Next' strategy focuses on building a legacy of strong community ties in order to build lasting relationships and create a strong network for a recruiter's successor. The first mini-jet, named 'Aggressor One,' has not been used since 2009 due to the condition of the paint scheme. The motor was seized and the fiberglass body was a sight for sore eyes. Mrs. Mary Deprospero-Adams, WACTC supervisor, was instrumental in forging this relationship with the 311th RCS. "When Tech. Sgt. Spears first approached me with this opportunity, I was honored," she said. "The project was an eye-opener for our students. The positive attitude of Tech. Sgt. Spears and his team as they checked in with us weekly led several students to approach me about service in the Armed Forces. That is just priceless to me!" Lt. Col. Joseph Morgan, 311th RCS commander, had no idea how successful the collaboration would be when Master Sgt. Michael McMillen, 311th RCS senior trainer, recommended it. "WACTC faculty utilized our mini-jet during an open house as a reflection of the skills they teach which are utilized in the Air Force," he said. According to Sergeant McMillen, the local recruiter, Tech. Sgt. William Moser, garnered several leads of potential recruits through this partnership. "The professionalism, initiative and creativity of our recruiters is amazing. This is exactly what we need from our Recruiter after Next and STEM (Science, Technology, Engingering and Math) initiatives," he said. The students of WACTC have begun work on the 311th RCS's next mini-jet, appropriately named 'Aggressor Two.' They expect the project to be completed by April, just in time for this summer's marketing events. The 311th RCS is located in Canonsburg, Pa., and covers a 69,000 square-mile area that includes Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland. Its mission is to inspire, engage and recruit the brightest, most competitive and diverse men and women for service in America's Air Force.