15 enlist before military appreciation hockey game Published Jan. 28, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Fifteen young men and women became the newest recruits of the U.S. Air Force Jan. 26 during an enlistment ceremony at the Wichita Falls Wildcats Military Appreciation game. Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux, 82nd Training Wing commander, led the future Airmen in taking the oath of enlistment at the annual event, attended by not only members of the local community, but more than 400 Airmen in Training as well. "You made the decision to come to a hockey game tonight," General Devereaux said to the assembled crowd. "The young men and women before me have made a much more tremendous decision, a decision to join the United States Air Force." Amanda Smith, a 2007 City View High School graduate, and Chase Scott, a 2005 Wichita Falls High School graduate, were two of the participants in the ceremony. Both chose to join the Air Force to pursue a career, Ms. Smith in security forces and Mr. Scott in an electronics-based career field. They said they feel they have a part in not only telling the Air Force story, but telling their friends and peers the benefits the Air Force could offer them if they chose to join. "I think events like this are great," Ms. Smith said. "Maybe it will motivate others and show them what the Air Force is all about." Master Sgt. Frankie Mach, a flight superintendent with the 364th Recruiting Squadron, said events like these help get the word out about these soon-to-be Airmen's part of the Air Force story. "Their story is their family and friends," he said. "They might have friends who don't know about the Air Force. Not a lot of people have the opportunity to join the military. Some of the people here tonight may look at this and see how well we treat our people and say 'maybe we want to be a part of this too.'" Sergeant Mach said the military isn't for everyone and learning more about the Air Force is the only way to find out. "(People thinking about joining) need to look at it," he said. "If you don't talk to an Air Force person or visit an Air Force base, then you can't know what it's all about." Sergeant Mach said most people's idea of what the Air Force and the military are like is based on misconceptions from outside influences like movies. He said of the 15 new recruits, about half were joining for the Air Force's educational benefits and the other half because of family and tradition. No matter what, he said, each will have a career with numerous benefits. Sergeant Mach said few to no companies will give new members the benefits the Air Force does. Benefits like 100 percent tuition assistance, complete medical care, housing and other benefits, not to mention the heritage and tradition the Air Force brings with those. "That's what we are, a lifestyle," he said.