Virtual tour guides newest addition to airforce.com

  • Published
  • By Maj. Sean McKenna
  • Air Force Recruiting Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) --  The Air Force's official recruiting Web site, airforce.com, unveiled its latest innovation March 22 with the introduction of virtual tour guides on the site's home page.

The tour guides are realistic video clips of active-duty Airmen who introduce the site's main features to web users. One of six guides is randomly activated whenever a user enters the Web site. The tour guides, ranging in rank from airman first class to master sergeant, are designed to lend a personal touch to a Web site loaded with information for prospective recruits, parents, influencers and those wanting to learn more about the Air Force.

The tour guide technology is a favorite feature on many corporate Web sites, but the Air Force is the first military site to incorporate it.

"We usually only get one shot to make an impression," said Master Sgt. Deshan Woods, Air Force Recruiting Service's interactive account executive. "This innovation will hopefully get visitors to dig deeper, find the information, and then go see a recruiter.

"We are always looking for ways to improve the site, keep it fresh, and make it easier for users to navigate and stay interested in what we have to offer," Sergeant Woods added.

The airforce.com site welcomes approximately half a million visitors per month. The site gives information on Air Force career opportunities and history and offers users a chance to chat live with an online advisor and locate the nearest recruiting office.

In addition to airforce.com, AFRS also oversees the dosomethingamazing.com Web site that promotes the Air Force's newest commercial advertisements and offers downloads of videos and photographs of the Airmen appearing in the commercials.

To make the virtual tour guides appear real, the six Airmen were filmed in front of a green screen background at a studio in Austin, Texas, on Jan. 22. That footage was then added to the Web site's home page to make it appear as if each of them is live to users of the site.

"Being able to represent all of the members of the Air Force on this Web site is quite thrilling," said Master Sgt. Shiela Flinders, AFRS broadcaster. "We hope visitors find the tour-guide feature to be an entertaining and useful addition to the site." 

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