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Recruiters promote Air Force mission at NASCAR event

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicole A. Sikorski
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 337th Recruiting Squadron here spent Memorial Day weekend promoting the Air Force mission at NASCAR's longest race of the season at Charlotte Motor Speedway, N.C., May 26.

Not only did the 10-person team experience the fast world of NASCAR, they also hosted Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, who was on hand to swear in new recruits before the Coca-Cola 600.

The 337th RCS was present throughout the weekend to promote and explain the Air Force mission and recruit the brightest men and women for service in the Air Force.

During Welsh's visit to Charlotte Motor Speedway with his wife Betty, they toured the Hot Pit -- the center of the track where crew chiefs prepare their vehicles for the race. Welsh also stopped at the 337th RCS's recruiting display to give the oath of enlistment and swear in more than 30 new recruits.

According to Welsh, NASCAR not only draws national support, it also attracts a sense of patriotic unity.

"It's always fantastic to be around this many great Americans," the chief of staff said. "The people who support NASCAR, the people who watch NASCAR and the people who participate in NASCAR are all great American patriots and really share a lot of values that we believe in, in the U.S. military. We also have a lot of great Airmen who come out of the NASCAR fan base, and this is a great chance to get to meet them."

The NASCAR fan base is an ideal audience to promote the Air Force mission because of its strong patriotic fan base, according to Master Sgt. Russell Ellerbe, 337th RCS senior trainer and operations supervisor.

"It also attracts a lot of people who are interested in mechanical jobs," Ellerbe said.

Air Force's partnership with Richard Petty Motorsport's No. 43 car is also an effective tool in sharing the Air Force mission due to its extensive audience.

"NASCAR is an attractive venue because of the number of people it reaches to," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Chesnut, a 337th RCS recruiter. "As far as visibility and awareness, it's a great way to get the Air Force name out there."