Special operations joins recruiting

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clay Murray
  • 75th Air Base Wing public affairs
Many Airmen would argue that the best recruiter is the one who can provide applicants with the most accurate information about the job they're pursuing.

For many interested in the Air Force, however, it can be difficult to find a recruiter with experience in that one specific career field. The Air Force has taken note of this and set in motion methods to provide accurate job information to recruits in some of the most intense Air Force jobs.

Tech. Sgt. Anthony Terrando, 368th Recruiting Squadron special tactics recruiting liaison, is the second of 12 recruiters selected for special operations recruiting. He joined the squadron in April and has been aiding in recruiting for special operations west of the Mississippi River ever since.

Sergeant Terrando was a combat controller before he transferred to the recruiting service. With hands-on experience in one of the special operations career fields, potential Airman as well as cross-trainees can count on the most reliable information.

"The great part is that we bring experience to the squadron," Sergeant Terrando said. "It can be hard to explain certain jobs to potential recruits. Furthermore, it can be great information for Airmen who are interested in cross training into the pararescue and combat controller career fields."

Typical combat controller technical education involves a selection course, air traffic control school, Army airborne school, survival school and combat controller school to name a few. The education and training can last anywhere from 18 months to two years.

As a combat controller, Sergeant Terrando has been subjected to several training courses and combat scenarios to shape him into the special forces troop that aids the Air Force in raising the successful recruit rate for Air Force special operations career fields.

Organizations are always using the term 'tip of the spear', but not very many are at the forefront like special operations. Special operations units definitely influence the war, and Sergeant Terrando feels like he's still right there making an impact.

"Our role in the recruiting squadrons now is as influential as our job on the front lines," Sergeant Terrando said. "The problem with this career is that we are quiet professionals, and that tends to keep the numbers down. My teammates would be very happy to see positions filled so that can help ease the deployment strain.

"Last fiscal year about 250 Airman signed up for the combat controller and pararescue career fields," Sergeant Terrando said. "There were 38 individuals who completed the training requirements. A major reason why is all the Airmen who joined the career field unaware of how it really works, and they end up quitting. This program was put in place to prevent that from happening."

Sergeant Terrando isn't the only one who believes that an integrated special operations liaison makes a difference in the squadron. Capt. Donna Miller, 368th Training Support Squadron operations flight commander, firmly supports the Air Force initiative.

"Having him in our squadron now presents loads of benefits," said Captain Miller. "He's a subject matter expert. We can provide a lot of details on our own, but he is the one giving it firsthand. We strive to make sure the job that applicants select is the one they really want. Having Tech. Sgt. Terrando in the recruiting squadron affords us the added opportunity to make a difference."