JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A new app puts information about Battlefield Airmen careers at the fingertips of recruiters and applicants and is available now on iTunes, Android and AIRFORCE. com. The app was created by GSD&M, the Air Force's advertising agency, headquartered in Austin.
"Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Force Recruiting Service worked together to create an information based mobile application whose purpose is to educate candidates on AFSOC's unique career field opportunities and what it takes to succeed," said Elissa Pate, GSD&M account supervisor.
The free app features videos, photos and stories of Battlefield Airmen such as pararescue jumpers, combat controllers, tactical air control party and special operations weather. It also allows the user to connect with a local recruiter, interact with online advisors, apply to join the Air Force and access the http://www.AIRFORCE.com mobile site.
"The videos, photos and information are shareable and useable," said Lt. Col. Kristi Beckman, AFSOC Public Affairs director. "Potential recruits not only learn about our warriors, but also about just what it takes to become one, physically and mentally.
"AFSOC is a little-known secret within the big Air Force enterprise," she said. "Our men and women are the quiet professionals; much of the world doesn't hear about them. From our special tactics warriors to our Special Operations Air Advisors, there are incredible jobs that many young people might be interested in. A phone app is an extremely popular source of information for potential recruits and it just takes one share to get someone interested."
Beckman said that AFSOC special tactics Airmen are "absolute heroes" and are among the most decorated in the Air Force since Vietnam.
From special operations weathermen who jump out of planes to combat controllers who are Federal Aviation Administration-certified air traffic controllers, Beckman added that "it takes a special kind of person to make it into these career fields and we're hoping this app will be just one more way we can find that individual.
"That snowboarder who knows no fear, the scuba diver who swims with great white sharks, the skydiver with countless jumps - those young people looking for more. Those young people might be looking for a way to continue their fearlessness, but also fulfill their sense of duty and service to our great country," Beckman said.
Although it's too early to tell if the app has helped recruit Battlefield Airmen, Beckman said recruiters can help by commenting on the app as a way to provide feedback and sharing the app with those they think have what it takes to be a special operations Airman.
To download the AFSOC app, visit http://www.airforce.com/afsoc/support/.