New recruits enlist during Chicago Air and Water Show

  • Published
  • By Maj. Karen Roganov
  • National Civic Outreach Office, Chicago
CHICAGO (AFPN) --  Following fast passes and vertical climbs by an F-22 demonstration, 60 young men and women were sworn in to the United States Air Force Aug. 16 during the 50th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show held Aug. 15 -17.

Maj. Gen. Anthony F. Przybyslawski, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command vice commander, at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, and also a Chicago native, administered the oath of enlistment.

Prior to swearing in, the general gathered the recruits in a private huddle for some encouraging words. 

When the public thinks about the Air Force the pilot comes to mind, but the Air Force "would be nothing without the enlisted career field, which keeps the Air Force running," he said. Relating his prior enlisted service, the general told the recruits they can go as far as the Air Force will take them.

Craig A. Maertenf, an 18-year-old avid outdoorsman from West Chicago, was one of the recruits there and plans to serve in special forces as a survival, evasion, resistance and escape, or SERE, specialist.

Stepping out to raise his right hand in front of some of the estimated 3.1 million people who attended the weekend show was memorable for Mr. Maertenf. "It was hot--a bigger deal than I thought it would be," he said.

After basic military training, Mr. Maertenf hopes to join his 21-year-old brother, Eric Maertenf, where they will be in the same class for technical training in January. Eric already completed the demanding SERE indoctrination training and is awaiting the next training class, he said. The brothers are following in the footsteps of their father and grandfather who were in the Air Force, Mr. Maertenf said.

Later, General Przybyslawski encouraged the public observing to shake the recruits hands "because they were doing a selfless act" in deciding to serve.

The Chicagoland-based recruits represented a diverse group of people in life experiences and ethnicity which will further strengthen the Air Force and improve its capability as America's Air Force, said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy T. Lemaire, 347th Recruiting Squadron recruiter, in Milwaukee, Wis. Sergeant Lemaire was the flight commander for organizing the swear-in ceremony.

Some new recruits will be leaving for military training as soon as next week, he said. Sergeant Lemaire noted this year's ceremony as especially symbolic because the F-22 "newest fighter jet was inspiring our newest Airmen."

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