Enlistment highlights total force

  • Published
  • By By Tech. Sgt. Barbara S. Plante
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZ. --  The excitement was palatable as 14 of the 944th Fighter Wings newest recruits stood next to a brand new F-35, raised their hand taking a huge step into their future by enlisting into the Air Force Reserve during a "Total Force" mass enlistment held during the October UTA. 

At the beginning of each recruiting year all operating locations are expected to participate in a mass enlistment which highlights the collective efforts of all the OL recruiters and also expresses what the mission is at each location. 

Being selected as the new Recruiting Flight Chief and arriving at the 944th FW in September of this year Senior Master Sgt. Kevin T. Bevins was under the gun and had to think of a creative idea and fast.  "I was racking my brain trying to come up with something new and different.   During my travels to Luke the recruiting service computer program known as Air Force Recruiting Information Support System - Reserve   changed its name to become the Air Force Recruiting Information Support System - Total Force.  I had found my theme Total Force.  When I arrive at Luke I learned that the wing was starting up a new unit the 944th FW DET 1 Maintenance Squadron, a new Total Force F-35 maintenance unit," said Bevins.  With the help and cooperation of numerous Reserve and Active Duty work centers his plan came together.

"I think this is great, it shows what our military can do, it shows what a super power America is and I am very glad to be a part of this," said one enlistee Brandon R. Shelor, a former F-16 maintainer who spent seven years on active duty with three and a half being right here at Luke AFB before joining the reserve.  He will be one of the maintainers for the new Det., eventually working side-by-side with the Active Duty maintainers on the F-35.

Several senior leaders from the Luke AFB 56th Maintenance Group stool alongside the new recruits as Colonel Robert D. Whitehouse, 944th FW vice commander administered the enlistment oath from memory.

"You are standing next to a state of the art aircraft which is just a small indication of the Total Force," said Whitehouse as he talked to the recruits after giving them the oath.  "Luke AFB has been the model of Total Force since 2000 when the 944th pilots began training alongside the 56th pilots.  This is just a small indication of our capability; Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve working together can make anything happen.   There is no doubt in my mind with the training you will get and the mentorship you will receive from your Active Duty and Reserve counterparts you are going to lead our Air Force to greater heights and one day you will be in like the leadership here today leading our future Air Force."