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Charleston Reservist gets four with "Get 1 program"

  • Published
  • By Capt. Bryan Lewis
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. --  Many service members often hear of the additional benefits they receive, such as health insurance, job security, educational benefits, and travel around the world. But what about the free camcorders, satellite radios, Ipod Nanos and 5.1 surround sound computer speakers? 

For one Airman here, these items were not issued at boot camp, but followed not long after beginning her Air Force career here.

As a part of the Get 1 Now Program, Senior Airman Allancia Sorhaindo, 315th Airlift Wing military pay technician, received the previously mentioned electronic swag for helping recruiters find four new members for the Air Force Reserve. The program, of which every Reservist is an automatic member, rewards Reservists who provide referrals that become accessions.
 
Though she leads the way here with four recruits, Airman Sorhaindo does not plan to stop now.
 
"I am working on the FedEx guy," she said. The motivated Airman says she talks about the Reserve "to anyone who will listen."
 
The Get 1 Now Program is based around the philosophy that Reservists themselves are the best recruiters.

"Troops like Airman Sorhaindo know what we need," said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Gray, a recruiter with the 315 AW, who helped recruit Airman Sorhaindo as well as one of her four leads. "It helps us bring on good people ... meet the mission." 

Good people like Airman Sorhaindo are the result. While pointing to her ankle, she said, "I actually have an Air Force tattoo right here. The Air Force is the best branch; I've loved it since I was a kid." 

In addition to the four accessions, Airman Sorhaindo has provided a total of 11 referrals. With less than three months left in this fiscal year, Reservists here have accounted for 117 leads and 12 accessions.

"We get more by word of mouth than any advertisement," said Sergeant Gray.

Five minutes with Airman Sorhaindo, and anyone knows she is the exact person the Get 1 Now Program was designed for. Not only did she recruit four people but she motivated and trained those who joined by providing pep talks and running with them before they left for boot camp. One recruit, though, stands out most.

"I am most proud of my sister," she said, who happens to work in the command post here. "She tried to talk me out of going in ... four months later, she enlisted."

There is no doubt that Airman Sorhaindo has significant persuasive abilities, which she plans to continue mastering as she serves the Nation. 

"In my [college] speech class we have to give a persuasive speech," she said. "I am going to try and convince them to join the Reserve."
 
For more information on Get 1 Now Program, or to submit a referral, visit http://www.get1now.us