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944th reservist bring fresh insight to England recruiting

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Nason
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Serving as the lone Air Force Reserve recruiter for all of England, Master Sgt. Michael Melendez,regularly covers eight different bases spread throughout the country.

As the Air Force In-Service Recruiter at the 100th Air Mobility Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, he contacts each Air Force member who is due for separation from active duty and explains the benefits of continuing their service as an Air Force Reservist.  This can be a daunting task for just one individual as each member has a different set of circumstances for leaving the service. Some much-appreciated assistance from reservists assigned to the 944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. came in mid July.

When four Airmen from the 944th FW reached out to Melendez during their annual tour to see if he could use additional assistance, they were welcomed with open arms. "I can't be two places at once, so having assistance from the 944th Airmen really helped to lighten the workload," said Melendez.

"There can be some unique challenges to this position," Melendez continued. "For instance, if I have an F-15 maintenance Airmen who wants to continue his service in the Reserve; it can be difficult because there just aren't too many Reserve F-15 units. This is an instance when cross training can definitely benefit the member, while still being able to bring their experience and knowledge into the Air Force Reserve."

The four 944th members consisted of two Airmen from the 944th Security Forces Squadron, one career advisor from the 944th Mission Support Group and one alternate career advisor from the 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Security Forces members were able to ensure those separating from the active duty career field had a realistic understanding of what the job similarities would be in the Reserve and also the differences they could expect. Regardless of the career field, it was evident to the 944th members how little is known about how the Reserve component operates by active duty Airmen.

"I was shocked with the lack of knowledge of the Air Force Reserve from the individuals who we spoke to but it was good to be able to talk to them about the many benefits of continuing their service," stated Tech. Sgt. Donald Blood, 944th Security Forces. "When I left active duty, it took just two months before I really missed being a part of the Air Force family, so the Air Force Reserve was the right choice for me."

The benefit of having the career advisors working with Melendez was very clear, "If you can see how an Airman is brought into the Reserve it is easier for me to retain them once they have arrived. A career advisor has to work with the Airmen that are being brought in by a recruiter and by being here I can understand what their Reserve career expectations are before arriving to us from active duty," said Master Sgt. Jason Cvancara, 944th Mission Support Group, career advisor.

The experience of working with the Reservists from the 944th gave Melendez fresh insight, "They give me a new perspective of what a Reservist does but most importantly they are giving that perspective to our new Air Force Reserve applicants. They have been excellent," Melendez stated