HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – More than 20 Committed Augmentee Recruiting Effort volunteers partnered with the 319th Recruiting Squadron here to contact more than 1,700 recruiting leads by telephone Feb. 10.
The initiative aimed to supplement the work of recruiters and directly connect them with potential candidates.
"We developed this volunteer force to help us get over the line and make mission, and it was really successful," said Capt. Tyler Sullivan, 319 RCS Operations Flight commander. "Our focus was to support recruiters by tackling administrative tasks and reaching out to individuals."
The CARE volunteers, comprised of military and civilian personnel, in four hours collected the names of 34 individuals interested in serving. While not all leads may result in candidates, according to Sullivan, the impact of the initiative is important.
"To hand over potentially 34 qualified applicants is a huge deal for the recruiters," he said. "It can make the difference between meeting mission quotas and facing additional challenges."
The success of the program has prompted plans for future events. Sullivan hopes to expand outreach efforts in other ways.
Volunteers were from Hanscom AFB and geographically separated units.
“I spoke to someone who was interested in commissioning and entering the cyber security field,” said Senior Airman Brandon Russell, a member of the 64th Air Refueling Squadron at Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage with young people and encourage a career in the Air Force or Space Force.”
CARE volunteers will conduct a similar effort Feb. 25 at the 319 RCS facility.
Local recruiters have sought out new ways to reach potential leads in the past year.
The CARE team has partnered with the 319 recruiters during other events recently. Members of the 66th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog team met with students from South High Community School in Worcester, Massachusetts, in November 2023.
“As recruiter augmentees, we look to identify talented individuals [who can] share their own Air Force experience, as well as provide valuable insights to help potential Airmen make informed decisions about their careers,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Ramon, MWD trainer and NCO in charge for the CARE augmentee program at Hanscom AFB.
Other events last year include recruiters partnering with Airman Leadership School staff for visits to local high schools, and partnering with CARE volunteers to attend events throughout New England.
For further information about the CARE program or volunteering Feb. 25, contact Sullivan at 781-225-6575 or by email at tyler.sullivan@us.af.mil.