Maj. David McGraw (left), a Combat Rescue Officer, and SMSgt Robert Bean (right), a Pararescueman, rappel down cement towers to a wrecked airplane. Photo credit: Mr. Rick Eldridge
Maj. David McGraw (left), a Combat Rescue Officer, and SMSgt Robert Bean (ri(ght), a Pararescueman, attend to the wrecked airplane at Calamityville. Photo credit: Mr. Rick Eldridge
by Michela Greco
711th Human Performance Wing Public Affairs
6/3/2013 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) -- The Air Force Recruiting Service is currently developing an ad campaign to teach young adults about cool career opportunities in the Air Force community, with the goal to inspire young people to join the Air Force. They also plan to demonstrate that the Air Force offers the same science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities as the private sector.
Much of the ad campaign will be housed on an interactive website where users can walk through a scenario about a current industry and Air Force-wide issue and attack the problem using creative thinking and problem solving skills. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) will moderate both the submissions and the participation on the site.
To prepare for the website's launch this summer, the Air Force Recruiting Service visited Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in May to take video footage of a few AFRL programs, including the 711th Human Performance Wing's Human Effectiveness Directorate's Calamityville program.
Located in Fairborn at an abandoned cement factory, Calamityville is operated in conjunction with Wright State Research Institute and serves as a venue for training, rehearsal, and exercise for a variety of military and civilian responders.
The team accompanied the Air Force Recruiting Service on a site visit. While on location, the videographers captured an Air Force Combat Rescue Officer and a Pararescueman rappelling to a crashed airplane, simulating a current industry and Air Force-wide issue that will be used on the website for users to problem solve.
The team also demonstrated its Battlefield Air Targeting Man-Aided kNowledge (BATMAN) capabilities, which outfit warfighters with everything from chest-mounted computers to helmet-mounted displays to heated boot insoles. All video footage and photos will be added to the Air Force Recruiting Service website for use with their collaborative scenarios.
The ad campaign is a great opportunity for AFRL to demonstrate its unique capabilities and, more importantly, to participate in an outlet that reaches young adults. When executed, the campaign will encourage teenagers and students to pursue Air Force STEM careers, an area in which AFRL could greatly benefit. More news will follow when the site launches this summer. Until then, AFRL and 711 HPW look forward to the new opportunities this venture will present.
Comments
6/5/2013 3:23:49 PM ET Previous generations signed up to serve to pay for school because they were forced to by the draft or to avoid lega entanglements or to please their parents or to slay the dehumanized enemy or to put food on the plate or to impress girls. I hardly find it controversial to try to attract new recruits by demonstrating how some career fields might be exciting and enjoyable.
GA, Utah
6/5/2013 8:48:36 AM ET I'm with Capt T I am in one of those career fields. I have been issued three different uniforms to deploy in yet I train in the Airman Battle Uniform - there is nothing battle related about ABU's. Of all of the choices to train and deploy in this is the worst of them all. Even the new light weight option BDU material is worthless based on design pocket location and durability. Recruiting is vital to replinishing the forces but let's spend some time and save some money by properly equipping the forces we have
Battlefield SNCO, Ft Bragg
6/5/2013 8:15:45 AM ET @Henry I totally agree where the young people's values now a days so do we really need people like that Do we really need to spend much effort in recruiting while we are not taking care of those who are in and their future I think that the leadership is still in denial that we need to be smaller. Should we be investing on those who are in Isn't it time to tell the truth about the military that is not all glamorous and cool before they become disenchanted Isn't time to tell the truth that no matter smart you are if you don't have the right attitude you will never secure a great future I believe though that we need to sell the Air Force on it's core values not the future because honestly you don't get rich in the military It will never prepare you to be like Zuckerbergs which who these kids now a days aspire to be We need to tell them the Air Force will not lead you to a good paying job in the future but the discipline that you carry will determine if you will.
Chief B, South
6/4/2013 1:01:07 PM ET Henry in Texas your comment is one of the best I have read on this site in a very long time. Great insight.
DC, Maxwell AFB
6/4/2013 10:21:07 AM ET I am still confused as to why we to include AFRL spent a vast amount of time and money in developing the Airman Battle Uniform and now those who are in battle no longer wear the uniform. Will the AF and DOD as a whole ever admit its mistake in moving toward separate and unequal combat uniforms and reverse course It may cost a little upfront but it will save money in the long run.
Capt T, Colorado
6/4/2013 8:45:41 AM ET Disgruntled - Of course the sense of serving ones country isn't enough anymore. These kids see homeless vets left and right they hear about it on the news they hear how veterans have a difficult time finding a job after they retireseperate. So you can't expect that to be enough anymore - especially with the job market being how it has been for a few years now. Those in prime recruiting age are trying to look beyond 4-6 years and the way to get them to see the USAF as a viable choice for the next 20 years is to show it as having career fields that are not exclusive to the military. Job security isn't about having a job today and tommorow - job security is about a job today tommorow - and beyond.
Henry, Texas
6/3/2013 5:09:09 PM ET One would hope that young people would be inspired to join the Air Force for the opportunity to serve the nation or something greater than self. But apparently we've accepted that our nation's young people can only be attracted to a career of it's cool or glamorous. I agree that the STEM career fields are an important focus area. I also believe we need to continue growing future teachers doctors pastors psychologists and public servants of all types. If young people begin their interest in the Air Force with the improbable expectation or hope of becoming a CRO you've misled them.
Disgruntled with , Outrageous spending on ad campaigns
