Open doors showcase opportunities at base

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  A dozen people seemed to arrive at the same conclusion after spending a day here recently during an event called Share the Passion - the Air Force Reserve and the 482nd Fighter Wing have a lot to offer.

"Share the Passion" is an initiative developed by the 482nd FW Human Resources Development Council and is designed to promote recruiting and base awareness. Visitors included recent high school and college graduates, high school students, and Job Corps students.

Several guests were joined by family members. One visitor recently enlisted in the Air Force and wanted to get an up-close view of the job he hopes to do after graduation from technical school.

Base planners lined up high-energy tour guides in work areas throughout the wing. These Airmen talked to the group about their jobs, a passion for teamwork and their experiences.

Monica Knowles, 17, a junior at Homestead High School, had no idea what to expect but seemed in awe of the amount of people and specialties it takes to run a flying mission. She's currently enrolled in a licensed practical nurse training program in school but thinks the day on base might have raised a few "good" doubts.

"There are just so many parts [of the operation] out here, so many opportunities," she said.

Monica was joined by her mother, Patricia, who grew up on and around Navy bases. Patricia thought her daughter would be impressed with the Homestead operation and seems happy that Monica is giving serious consideration to military service as an important step toward future success.

"I'm not pushing her into the military but I knew that she'd be impressed once she saw it up close," Patricia said.

Impressing visitors seemed to be important to each of the Airmen who told tales of success, camaraderie and doors swinging open as a result of Air Force Reserve participation. As the group of visitors moved from one work area to another they absorbed the spirit that HRDC looked to harness.

"I was glad to be a part of the program. I really like what I do here and think this was a great opportunity to share it with others," said Senior Airman Michelle Santos, 482nd Maintenance Squadron.

Lt. Col. Robert Delgado, HRDC member, did much of the planning for the event and rates the day all positive.

"If the people we hosted had any notion of joining the Air Force Reserve, this day did it for them. The [482nd FW Airman] presenters had so much warmth and energy; they shared their passion for the mission and the wing," he said.

Patricia Knowles voiced the same sentiment and had some advice for the base's HRDC.

"You have to do this again. You have to do this more often. You have so much to show people," she said.