Photo By Lance Cpl. Jareka Curtis | U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Dale Buchanan, Recruiting Substation Ponte Vedra...... read more read more
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—No one would argue that military recruiting is a tough job. With an ever decreasing pool of qualified candidates, recruiters must get creative in encouraging young men and women to consider an enlistment in the military. One way to encourage recruiting is to show the American public what assets, employment opportunities, and intangibles military service provides. This is not a new philosophy, and it is one of the most consistently successful in American military recruiting.
After the close of World War 2, Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Chief of Naval Operations, envisioned a team of pilots to demonstrate aerial capabilities to maintain public interest in naval aviation. That team became the Blue Angels, and since 1946, they have performed for public audiences across the U.S.
On October 22 and 23, the Blue Angels performed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Offset since 2018 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NAS Jacksonville saw over 400,000 people attend the 2022 air show. Local U.S. armed service recruiters from the Jacksonville area were in attendance to support the air station during the air show and connect with the locals. 6th Marine Corps District’s Enhanced Marketing Vehicle Team, Staff Sgt. Justin Lundy and Staff Sgt. Daniel Shifflett, and select Reserve Marines with 4th Marine Division, 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion joined recruiters from Recruiting Station Jacksonville, to showcase Marine Corps recruiting assets such as the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer and Battle Position, technology that allows anyone with or without Marine combat training to experience shooting a rifle on a range, or battling an opponent in a virtual reality simulation. The 4th AAVBN came to the air station with an M-1152 High Mobility Multipurpose Vehicle, colloquially known as a Humvee, and Logistic Vehicle System Replacement. These vehicles, along with several small arms rifles, gave the public a unique look into the equipment Marines use in training and deployment, and provided people an opportunity to learn more about the equipment from the Marines in attendance.
Gunnery Sgt. Robert Uanino, the Recruiting Substation Ponte Vedra Staff Non-commissioned Officer in Charge, explained that while seeking qualified men and women interested in the Marine Corps is priority to the recruiters, allowing civilians to interact with military personnel creates trust and security between the community and armed forces.
“I’ve noticed that a lot of the younger generation is more toward the social media aspect verses going out and about, I think the overall patriotism of the Nation is still there,” said Uanino. Without the ability to reach out to people face to face, understanding if young men and women are interested in being a part of the military is challenging.
He explained that since Covid-19, he’s seen a rise in people using social media platforms to get their information. While recruiters adapted and began using social media more to engage with potential applicants, recruiters had fewer opportunities to interact with the public in person to provide insight into the Marine Corps, and show what the organization can provide. Now, as the economy opens up and the Blue Angels air shows become a more consistent event again, Uanino is grateful for the support from 4th AAVBN. “A real life unit to be able to come out here and to be able to show some of the things the Marine Corps can provide and really get involved with the community and allow them to see some of the equipment that we use has really been great this weekend.”
The Blue Angels Air Show means more than just demonstrating maneuvers and skills, but also represents bringing America together through mutual patriotism among service members and civilians with common interest in naval aviation.
“Being here gives the public time to come and meet their local recruiters and try and get any information that they want themselves,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Lundy. “With it being a low stress environment, these events allow individuals to relax a little bit and not think that we are just here to only recruit someone; it really helps with community engagement and teaching the public about what we do.”
“This allows us to bring more depth to the civilians so they can see what it’s like,” said Lance Cpl. Yadier Torres, a reserve supply admin clerk with 4th AABN. Torres spent the weekend demonstrating and explaining the different assets to interested guests, teaching them the different parts of the vehicles and showing them the mechanics of the weapons. A native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Torres shared the importance of being able to share experiences between service members and the community creates unity within the nation. Providing insight to the lives of our Marines can encourage others to serve as well.
Marine recruiters, with support from fleet units, were able to connect with the community, bridging the civilian-military divide. Events like this one allows different units to connect with the public and gives civilians a better familiarity among the men and women sworn to protect and serve the United States. After four dormant years, bringing the Blue Angels Air Show back to Jacksonville is a display of patriotism. And Marine recruiters around the nation will continue to use every resource available to reconnect to the public.
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2022 10:24 |
| Story ID: | 432881 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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