March Air & Space Expo: Mass Enlistement Ceremony

  • Published
  • By SSgt. Kevin Mitterholzer
  • 452nd AMW Public Affairs

Many recruits have their initial enlistment at the Military Entrance Processing Station. However, that wasn’t the case for a group of approximately 100 individuals on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the March Field Air & Space Expo. About 50 airmen and soldiers took the first steps in their Air Force and Army careers by enlisting at March Air Reserve Base’s 100 year anniversary air show titled “Thunder Over The Empire.”

Maj. Gen. Randall A. Ogden, commander 4th Air Force, presided over the ceremony that kicked off the air show by giving the oath of enlistment to the newest members of the United States military. The ceremony was conducted on the March runway in front of all their families and friends.

“They became part of something bigger than themselves today,” said Ogden. “They joined the world’s greatest military and are the future leaders behind the strength of this great country. It’s an honor to be a part of the first official ceremony that they participated in. Hopefully, there will be many more to come for them.”

The next step for the enlistees will be going to Joint Base San Antonio, Texas for the airmen and one of four different locations for the soldiers, such as Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

“Some of them will be leaving very soon, and some of them will leave after their high school graduation,” said Chief Master Sgt. Alexander Brown, Flight Chief, 452nd Air Mobility Wing Recruiting Squadron. “There are a few others that are hoping a certain job will become available to them soon.”

I think we can all agree that they had a pretty unique experience for their initial enlistment, and we wish them the best of luck in their military careers.