HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Reserve recruiters for the 419th Fighter Wing are projected to surpass their fiscal 2021 goal, adding approximately 182 new reservists to the wing.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, recruitment goals were adjusted and a new system allowed recruiters more flexibility to do their jobs through working remotely and enlisting applicants virtually.
Even so, recruiters were willing to go the extra mile – literally – to meet future Airmen if necessary.
“I drove to Wyoming to meet an applicant, conduct an interview, and fill out paperwork,” said Master Sgt. Joey Mannozzi, 419th recruiter. “He’s enlisting next week, so I’ll drive back out to prevent him from driving all the way here for only 30 minutes.”
Even with smaller goals and flexibility, recruiters are sometimes working 12 to 14 hours a day to make sure the applicant is the right fit for the job.
“It can be tough,” said Tech. Sgt. Sherry Peoples, 419th recruiter. “But this is all about finding the best fit for the recruit, because ultimately we want them to be happy.”
The 419th FW has a 90 percent retention rate and is home to nearly 1,300 reservists who work a minimum of one weekend a month and two weeks a year to stay deployment-ready.