Deployed convoy Airman takes on recruiting in Florida Published Jan. 25, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Mark Getsy 333rd Recruiting Squadron MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Every workday, Staff Sgt. William McCoy straightens his tie, checks to see if his ribbons are straight and laces up his black, shiny shoes ready to hit the streets of Brandon, Fla., looking for new recruits to join the world's greatest Air Force. However, it wasn't very long ago he was donning his desert camouflage uniform and protective gear ready to hit the streets of Iraq in defense of our nation. Sergeant McCoy, now a recruiter for the 333rd Recruiting Squadron out of Melbourne, Fla., was tasked to perform one of the toughest jobs, as a member of a convoy team in Mosul, Iraq, maintaining and resupplying the entire area. While there, Sergeant McCoy was responsible for supervising more than 100 soldiers and airmen on all aspects of training and qualification on the proper use of weapon systems, in addition to his convoy duties. "I assisted the company in the execution of more than 350 tactical convoys during the more than 180 days I was deployed," he said. "We provided food water and personnel for many war-torn areas throughout Iraq." Participating in convoys was more than just driving a truck from point A to point B, said Sergeant McCoy. Vital permission tasks had to be completed prior to hitting the road. "We would first have a mission brief on when and where we were going, "he said. "Then we would check to ensure all the trucks were up and running. Next, we would go over the battle drills together to make sure everyone knew their responsibilities if something were to happen, and, finally, we would get the order to march and be on our way." Sergeant McCoy said the convoys were scary at first, but after a while his training kicked in and he became accustomed to the inherent dangers. He said the most difficult aspect of the job was the climate and the condition of the civilian trucks participating in the convoys. "There were a lot of long, hot days in the desert," he said. "At times, we would convoy over a hundred civilian trucks and some of them would break down along the way. We would have to make sure we spread out the military vehicles to provide protection and only move as fast as the slowest truck. This is what made for the long days." After more than 210,000 miles logged on the roads of Iraq, it was time for the sergeant to make another big decision in his career. "I spoke to my supervisor about doing a special-duty assignment and he suggested recruiting," Sergeant McCoy said. "He expressed the importance of doing a special duty for my long-term career goals ... I thought that recruiting would be a great way to help young people." Sergeant McCoy made the move, graduated recruiting school and arrived at his first recruiting assignment in Brandon in early November. He said he's excited about his new job. "It's a lot of work and I'm just getting started, but so far I love the many challenges," he said. "I try to answer all [the new applicant's] questions as open and honestly as possible and hope I'm helping them start a new life."