LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
After spending a week shadowing military training instructors, two Air Force recruiters have a renewed perspective for potential recruits.
Staff Sgts. Cheryl Vercellona and Eduardo Velarde of the 341st Recruiting Squadron shadowed MTIs and their flights from the 323rd Training Squadron Oct. 19-23. The sergeants will share their experiences with the recruiting service.
Before the end of the year, two MTIs will spend a week observing recruiters as part of a program to share information between the two units.
Both sergeants came away feeling the time spent will benefit themselves and their recruits.
"A lot of trainees don't take the PT (physical training evaluation) seriously while they are waiting to leave," said Sergeant Velarde, who recruits in the San Antonio area. "When they get to Lackland, they are behind and not passing the initial PT test."
Sergeant Vercellona, a Houston area recruiter, concurred.
"The majority of recruiters do emphasize its (physical training) importance," she said. "However, the recruits need to know that if they fail the first PT evaluation, things are not going to be good. We really need to emphasize PT over and over.
"A lot of these recruits have no self motivation," she added. "It's up to us to get them more motivated."
The sergeants agree that recruits will have a good experience if they come into basic military training in shape.
"If you are in good physical condition, then the mental things aren't as difficult," said Sergeant Vercellona. "When you're struggling physically, it is harder to accomplish the other things that are more mentally challenging."
Sergeant Velarde added it's one less worry if recruits come to be BMT in physical shape.
In addition to a renewed importance on physical training, the two recruiters also will re-emphasize reporting statements, basic drill movement and standing at attention. Both said all of those skills combined make it easier on trainees.
And when trainees have a good experience, it helps the recruiting process.
"If they have a positive experience then they are going to refer their friends and encourage them to be in shape before BMT," said Sergeant Vercellona.
Spending the week with the MTIs and trainees was like a trip down memory lane for the sergeants that will also help in talking to recruits.
"I think it's been good to go back and relive a little bit of basic military training," said Sergeant Vercellona. "It's easy to forget when you started out as a trainee.
"It's like, 'wow, I remember going through this.' There are parts that are different now and some parts that haven't change at all. It comes back to you very quickly."
Which both recruiters plan to use as they bring in the next generation of warrior Airmen.