The 314th Recruiting Squadron “Eagles” soar with the “Red Tails” Published Jan. 30, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. Derek Bishop 314th RCS training and marketing PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Members of the 314th Recruiting Squadron and two of the original Tuskegee Airmen viewed a private screening of "Red Tails" at the Pearl Theater here Jan. 20. The Tuskegee Airmen in attendance were Lt. Col. (Ret.) Thomas Mayfield and Tech. Sgt. (Ret.) George Watson. Lt. Col. Ric "Trimmy" Trimillos, 314th RCS commander, opened the event with a few remarks. "Our primary focus is to learn about our Airmen heritage," he said. "When we go out looking to recruit from the broadest landscape, we can point back to these men. Not as the first African-American pilots and support personnel, but as American's who persevered to pave the way so people of any race, color, or creed can serve." "We need to inspire today's youth to take full advantage of their sacrifice," he said. The dialogue was punctuated by Watson's stories of when he served as an Air Force recruiter and words of wisdom for recruiting today's youth. Watson also offered some historical recruiting trivia to the members of the 314th RCS. According to Watson, the reason recruiters wear the Air Force Recruiting Service "cookie" is because the arm band worn by recruiters during World War II with the words "Army and Air Force Recruiter" looked very similar to the "Next of Kin" detail arm bands. Parents and applicants would not answer their door for fear the recruiter was there to deliver news of a loved one's death.