USAF recruiter showcases 354 SFS

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The local AF recruiter spoke to more than 25 students at North Pole High School Oct. 18, 2011. The Air Force recruiter program reaches a wide audience and challenges its recruiters to effectively inform prospective applicants with information about how careers in the military should not go unexplored.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Conant, 361st Recruiting Squadron recruiter, has an area of responsibility that covers more than 342, 962 square-miles and is the largest, northern most station in Air Force Recruiting Service. It is his goal to educate eligible applicants on the benefits and opportunities available to them.

Conant encouraged students to seize job opportunities and keep their options open, namely occupations in the Air Force. He introduced the students to two Airmen who made the decision to join the Air Force years ago and could speak on the inner workings of criminal investigation within a military setting.

"I am not out here to recruit every single [student], but I want to give them other options," said Conant. "I am here to open up their minds to what they can do."

Staff Sgt. Leonard Anderson and Staff Sgt. Ryan Goodridge, 354th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handlers, assisted the recruiter by telling the students what being a military working dog handler is all about.

The Airmen explained the purpose behind the MWD and how they contribute to the Air Force mission, especially in deployed environments. Students listened to what each of the speakers had to say, waiting to ask questions at various points during the presentation.

The students in Mrs. Elizabeth Becks' North Pole High School forensics class followed up with several questions and the SFS members answered every one with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Becks currently instructs students in various subjects including forensic science, anatomy and biology. She encouraged students to ask questions and get informed about what they may want to do later in life.

According to Becks, the local military installations and surrounding community have very close relationships. Many of the students that attend NPHS come from military families.
"A lot of these students are here because of the military and as a result many may decide to go into the military," said Becks.

The presentation gave students an inside look at what a particular part of the Air Force does to support the mission. Although it was only a small facet of what the Iceman team helps facilitate, it helped students in Becks' class see the application of what they are learning in action.

"I think everyone really enjoyed themselves seeing the dog interact with the Airmen," said Conant. "It was a great presentation and the [Students] asked a lot of questions which is always a plus."

"Today was a great example of how an entire class of 30 seniors was able to interact and learn about a specific career within the Air Force while still visualizing the overall picture obtainable through enlistment," added Conant.

Becks and her students understand the military's role in the community, and as an educator she is aware of the growing need for real-world application of the skills she teaches her classes.

"I also think inviting Eielson's dog handlers, especially since this is a forensic science class, is really important," said Becks. "We've seen some of the search and rescue dogs, and it's time to see the serious side of things."

The students had a chance to hear and learn about what MWDs like 7-year-old Azza can do to enhance the mission. It is hard to say who will be visiting Conant in the near future, but students now have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.