New Airmen take oath platinum-style Published Oct. 14, 2008 By Bryan Magaña 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- In a routine Air Force Reserve enlistment ceremony, new enlistees are met by members of the recruiting office, walked to the nearest U.S. flag, and are sworn in by an officer. But on Friday, 14 recruits to the 419th Fighter Wing raised their right hand beneath bright arena lights ― before nearly 15,000 onlookers. And they had a couple of big names to back them up. The mass enlistment ceremony took place at the EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City just before multiplatinum recording artists Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson took the stage. The concert was part of the second leg of the duo's "2 Worlds 2 Voices" national tour, which earlier this year sold out in 15 markets. Senior Master Sgt. Mark Cooling, 419th Fighter Wing senior recruiter, said the wing holds a mass enlistment ceremony annually to kick off the fiscal year. "The mass enlistment ceremony gives us an opportunity to start the new fiscal year off with a bang," Sergeant Cooling said. "Getting the awareness out in the Salt Lake area is vital to our recruiting efforts for the Air Force Reserve because it is such a large population." Recruiter Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Grunewald took the lead in planning the ceremony while the wing's other four recruiters rounded up men and women interested in enlisting. "We wanted something big," Sergeant Jeffrey Grunewald said. "I saw that Ms. McEntire and Ms. Clarkson were performing together at the EnergySolutions Arena and I thought it would be a good venue." Col. Walter Sams, 419th Fighter Wing commander, led the recruits in the oath of enlistment, which resonated from a sound system fit for a superstar. The crowd of pop and country music fans gave the recruits an emphatic standing ovation as Colonel Sams congratulated them on their commitment. "God bless all the men and women who enlisted in the Air Force tonight," said opening act comedian Melissa Peterman, who co-starred with Ms. McEntire in the popular sitcom Reba. "I'm thankful for you." New enlistee Camaree Sargent said she signed up to serve her country and is following in her family's footsteps. "It seemed like a good fit," Sargent said of joining the Reserve. "I want to have the pride and distinction of serving my country, and help protect my family." As a thank-you, the new Airmen were treated to a backstage meet-and-greet with Ms. McEntire and Ms. Clarkson, where they took photos with the celebrities and got autographs. Colonel Sams and Chief Master Sgt. Liz Atisme, 419th Fighter Wing command chief, presented the stars with special engraved plaques in a show of appreciation for their support of the wing and the Air Force Reserve. "Thank ya'll so much," Ms. Clarkson said with Texas flare. "I have two buddies in the Air Force, so right on!" Big-voiced Ms. Clarkson won the first installment of "American Idol" in 2002. She has sold nearly 20 million albums worldwide and racked up two Grammies, among other accolades. The enlistees got a taste of that talent up close with free tickets to the concert, which featured some of Ms. McEntire and Ms. Clarkson's biggest hits, as well as covers of popular tunes. "I think it's awesome that they were able to set this up," said Angela Sauro, who joined the Reserve after 10 years of serving in the regular Air Force. "It's not a typical enlistment." The 419th Fighter Wing, the only Air Force Reserve unit in Utah, gained about 160 new personnel this year. The Air Force Reserve as a whole recruits about 8,000 people annually.