New Recruits

An ABC News photographer interviews Joshua Dodson and his wife after Dodson completed the Oath of Enlistment at a mass enlistment ceremony Oct. 6, 2009, at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. After completing basic training, Dodson will become an air transportation apprentice. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tanya Koch)

New Recruits

Colonel Steven Chapman, 315th Airlift Wing commander, administers the Oath of Enlistment to fifteen of the Air Force Reserve’s newest enlistees during a mass enlistment ceremony held aboard a C-17 on October 6, 2009 at Charleston AFB, S.C. Some members of the group enlisted for the first time, while others re-enlisted. This is the first time the 315 AW completed an enlistment aboard a C-17. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tanya Koch

New Recruits

Master Sgt. Joel Murray, 315th Airlift Wing lead recruiter, reviews paperwork with Joshua Dodson before a mass enlistment ceremony Oct. 6, 2009, at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Some members of the group enlisted for the first time, while others re-enlisted. 315 AW recruiters consistently find the highest quality recruits to fill positions within the wing, though this was the first mass enlistment the wing held aboard a C-17. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tanya Koch)

Reserves newest recruits swear in aboard C-17

Published Oct. 6, 2009
By Tanya Trejo
315 Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. -- More than a dozen of the Air Force Reserve's newest enlistees boarded a C-17 here as part of a mass enlistment October 6, 2009.

Colonel Steven Chapman, 315th Airlift Wing commander, administered the Oath of Enlistment during the ceremony, while many family and friends of the recruits observed.

"Today we had 15 eager and ambitious recruits ready to start their Air Force careers," said Senior Master Sgt. William Jones, 315AW senior recruiter. "Some come for patriotism with a duty to serve, some come for the educational benefits, and some for job training or to learn a new skill."

And some came for more than one reason.

"I joined for several reasons -- to help with school, to become a nurse, to start a new career, and because I believe in what our country stands for," said Joshua Dodson, a recruit who was joined by his wife and their baby boy and is currently slotted as an air transportation apprentice. "I wanted to give back by serving."

Some members of the group enlisted for the first time, while others re-enlisted. Recruiters consistently find the highest quality recruits to fill positions within the wing, but this is the first time the wing has done an enlistment aboard a C-17.

"I decided to re-enlist in the Air Force because I miss everything about serving," said Jack Peters, who served for 16 years on active duty and will join the 560th Red Horse Squadron here. "I can't wait to put my uniform back on."