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One Air Force: AF Youth Engagement Synchronization Workshop

  • Published
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

Louisville, KY. — For the first time, members from the Aircrew Crisis Task Force and Air Force Recruiting Service hosted the Air Force Youth Engagement Synchronization Workshop with key representatives from the Air Force commissioning sources and pre-accessioning youth programs, Nov. 7-8. 

"Working together to engage, recruit, and inspire as 'One Air Force' is critically important to our nation,” said Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, AFRS commander. “We want young Americans to know there are numerous rewarding and exciting opportunities for them to join our Air Force, whether on active duty, in the Air Force Reserves, or Air National Guard. The workshop also looked at better ways to reach youth not normally exposed to aviation careers in order to create a more balanced and diverse aviation eco-system.”

The workshop was designed to initiate the cross flow of ideas and develop recommendations in engaging kindergarten through high school students. Discussions focused on educating and influencing youth toward aviation, integrating learning innovation to provide youth aviation and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) experience, and refining the process for influencing youth to pursue rated positions in the Air Force. 

“This was another effort by the Air Force to better inspire and renew interest in aviation to youth, high school, and college students,” said Lt. Col. Kenyatta Ruffin, AFRS Detachment 1 commander. "Synchronization and integration of these activities not only improve the experiences youth receive, but also help ensure the future vitality of the Air Force by motivating them to pursue aviation careers in or outside of the military." 

The workshop developed recommendations to enhance collaboration among programs such as Civil Air Patrol, Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC), Air Force STEM, and the commissioning programs to include the U.S. Air Force Academy and ROTC. Based on participant feedback, proposed regular meetings of this group were encouraged to enable synergy and enhance the effectiveness of individual programs.

"It is very important that this key organization within the Air Force continue to work together as one team to provide opportunities to our youth." said Scott E. Lewis, AFJROTC deputy director.

The workshop supports Air Education and Training Command’s mission to recruit, train and educate Airmen to deliver 21st century Airpower, as well as exemplifies Air Force priorities to drive innovation, develop exceptional leaders, and strengthen our alliances to build the Air Force we need.