Words of advice

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz gives words of advice to a member of the Delayed Entry Program July 2, 2011, at the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Before administering the oath of enlistment to the DEP members, Schwartz thanked all the parents for helping their sons and daughters on the first step of their Air Force careers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

Thanks for the support

A.J. Allmendinger, NASCAR driver for the Air Force-sponsored #43 car, listens to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz July 2, 2011, at the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Schwartz thanked him for taking time to support recruiting efforts and representing the Air Force while he drove. Allmendinger ended up placing 10th in the race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

#43

The Air Force-sponsored #43 car is displayed at a recruiting display July 2, 2011, prior to the start of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Beach, Fla. The Air Force recruits at NASCAR events because of the mechanically-inclined youth who are often fans of racing. The car’s driver, A.J. Allmendinger, placed 10th in the race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley /Released)

Recruiting with the flag

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Shawn Eikenberry, 336th Recruiting Squadron first sergeant, clutches the American flag after helping display it July 2, 2011, at the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona Beach, Fla. The 336th RCS enlisted the help of about 120 Airmen and cadets to hold the flag, which was the center of attention during the national anthem. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

Moody Airmen highlight recruiting efforts for 7 million NASCAR fans

Published July 6, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley
23rd Wing Public Affairs

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- -- In front of a crowd of 7.3 million live and broadcast viewers, nearly 100 Moody Airmen unfurled a football field-sized American flag as the national anthem played at a race nearly as old as NASCAR itself.

Held July 2 at Daytona Beach, Fla., the Coke Zero 400 was the perfect opportunity for Air Force recruiters to appeal to a crowd whose interests are similar to the military's.

"Anything we can do to get the Air Force in people's minds is a good thing," said Tech. Sgt. Brad Barth, 336th Recruiting Squadron marketing NCO. "The crowds at NASCAR tend to be mechanically inclined and that can translate directly into working with aircraft or vehicle engines."

"When we get someone who's interested and they take the ASVAB, their mechanical scores are through the roof and that's a great starting point," he added.

Because NASCAR is popular with military members, getting the 120 Airmen, Air Force JROTC cadets and Delayed Entry Program members down to Daytona was easy.

"Even for an event later in the day hours from Moody, we had an outstanding response," said Barth. "For all our recruiting efforts- everything from base tours to Battlefield Airman Camps- base units are willing to step up and help us out. Helping with this superflag is just the tip of it."

Prior to the Airmen holding the 300-feet by 150-feet flag, a few of the recruiters interacted with potential recruits and other members of the public at an Air Force display which included mock ID cards, a jet engine and the Air Force-sponsored #43 car.

"The NASCAR fan base as a whole loves the military, plain and simple," said Amy Stabler, a Winter Haven, Fla., citizen. "We always try to stop by the Air Force display at each race we go to.

"Even though I don't have any family members serving, it's still important for me to support our military and honor them the best I can," she added. "It's great to see them here."

Two notable people who visited the Air Force display before the race were Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and A.J. Allmendinger, the NASCAR driver for Air Force-sponsored #43 car.

General Schwartz thanked Mr. Allmendinger for being there and representing the Air Force before giving the oath of enlistment to a group of DEP members.

The Air Force recruits around 9,000 people each year for mechanical jobs including avionics specialist and crew chief, jobs NASCAR fans are predisposed to.