Special event builds recruiting relationships Published Feb. 14, 2014 By Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey B. Morris 349th Recruiting Squadron production superintendent TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Air Force Recruiting Service "Recruiter After Next" strategy is of significant importance to the 349th Recruiting Squadron. The strategy is centered on building relationships. The commander, Lt. Col. Brian Chellgren, and I forged a new relationship with members of the Moore-Norman Technical Center by hosting a "Taste of Air Force Recruiting" tour Jan. 17. The tour began at the squadron headquarters here with a mission and zone briefing. Afterwards, the guests were taken around the squadron headquarters and had the opportunity to meet and talk with members of operations, marketing, training, logistics and support. It was a cold and windy Oklahoma day, but it didn't stop them from heading outside to see the mobile assets used by the squadron to promote the Air Force. Tech. Sgt. Stephen Stallings and Tech. Sgt. Chad Prince, the training and marketing NCOs, provided an in-depth tour of the Battlefield Airman trailer. This trailer is equipped with multiple TVs, a Playstation3, and a full-size mannequin wearing Air Force special operations gear. Other items include a replica M-4 carbine rifle, an M-9 handgun and night vision goggles. Parked next to the trailer was the Raptor/Yukon showcasing the Air Force wrap, a 42-inch TV, Xbox 360, and a booming sound system geared to attract today's youth. The guests were impressed with the display and left with a better understanding of what our Battlefield Airmen do on a daily basis. Next on the tour was a stop at a local recruiting office in Midwest City, where guests were greeted by Tech. Sgt. Ed Jennings, enlisted accessions recruiter, and Tech. Sgt. Nick Tucker, E-Flight chief. Jennings dazzled the visitors with his zone briefing which described his day-to-day activities as a recruiter and included a thorough discussion of the process of enlisting an applicant into the Air Force. The next stop was the Oklahoma City Military Entrance Processing Station, where guests were greeted by Master Sgt. Brian Halley, MEPS liaison supervisor, and Staff Sgt. Joe Stingley, liaison NCO. Halley described what the applicants go through at the MEPS while processing and then provided a tour to see all the sections each applicant must clear in order to qualify for the military. The visitors were captivated with the facility and process, and asked a lot of questions. The tour wrapped up back at Tinker with lunch at the base club. Joining the group for lunch was Senior Master Sgt. Brian Brewer, first sergeant; Capt. Joe Oletti, Operations Flight commander; Staff Sgt. Lisa Labrada, personnelist, and Sandra Lopez, unit program coordinator. The tour was a great success and resulted in a strong relationship with local educators that will prove to be beneficial for the Air Force and the surrounding Oklahoma City community.