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New wheels for new recruits

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Laura L. Valentine
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  By retrofitting an existing fleet truck, the 337th Recruiting Squadron here has given the image of U.S. Air Force recruiting a facelift.

A new matte black full-body wrap, silver Air Force decals, and a custom entertainment console for the truck bed, transformed the previously green 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 into a vehicle that reflects the evolving warrior ethos.

"We wanted to focus on the Battlefield Airmen," said Staff Sgt. Cederick Moody, 337th RCS marketing NCO.

The marketing team of Master Sgt. Russell Ellerbe, 337th RCS senior trainer, Staff Sgt. Derek Guerin, 337th RCS training NCO, Sean Loughrey, 337th RCS logistics, and Moody worked together to come up with creative ideas.

"The Air Force is big on innovation," said Moody, "and this is our concept of being innovative, and giving the audience what they're looking for."

After developing the new concept, the marketing team shopped for businesses that could bring their vision to life.

Features in the entertainment unit include three TVs, a public address system, gaming consoles and a small marquee.

The entertainment console is what makes this recruiting vehicle different from any other across the country.

As a separate unit in the truck bed, the entertainment console can potentially outlast fleet vehicles because it can be removed by forklift and fitted to a new truck bed.

"For the current set-up," said Moody, "you are looking at nearly $45,000. By reusing the entertainment console, the squadron will save nearly $24,000 each time they receive a new vehicle."

Squadrons currently use Chevrolet Suburban "Raptors," and many are wrapped in a mainly blue background with images of Airmen and Air Force assets.

Recruiters can take vehicles to any type of location, from NASCAR events, mud-run and challenge run events, and high school football games.

"Anything we do we can take this truck out and quickly set up," said Moody. "The Raptor and this new truck are considered 'quick set-up vehicles,' which is something that recruiters look for."

"We can park, play, and within five minutes we are live," said Moody.

While Air Force Recruiting Services issues new fleet vehicles each year, the newly customized truck has been used for nearly two years throughout the 337th's recruiting zone. Upgrades were finished and the truck returned to the squadron for use Dec. 11.

"The hope is that this will replace the old Raptor," said Ellerbe, "and [act as] a prototype for AFRS."

The 337th RCS covers a recruiting territory as far as the northern North Carolina border, and the entire state of South Carolina, except for the Charleston and Orangeburg areas.

As a headquarters unit at Shaw AFB, the responsibility of the 337th RCS is to supply the right tools for recruiters to use every day.

"We are the support staff to recruiters," said Moody. "As the marketer, it's my job to advertise the Air Force and come up with the right supplies to help the recruiters."

With every new Suburban, the squadron has to spend money to have equipment installed and when the lease is up, spend money having it removed. The Raptors also had to recharge entertainment consoles through the vehicle's battery, causing periods when the vehicle had to be running - creating exhaust and heat in the area which the audience is encouraged to watch videos.

The new set-up has a generator, allowing recruiters to not worry about exhaust issues and makes the entire package more user-friendly, said Moody.

A typical recruiting vehicle is used two to four times a week for five years, or close to 40,000 miles.

"I think with these upgrades," said Moody, "this truck will be one of the most used assets we have, especially for the target audience and the needs of the Air Force."

Even just driving the truck on the highway, before the container was put in the back, it turned heads. The overall concept of the truck captures what a battlefield Airman is all about; a tough, aggressive type of person, said Moody.