331st RS showcases new flight-centric office

Master Sgt. Jeffrey Storman, A-Flight chief, middle right, and Rick Plaskett, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Defense Technology Development director, middle left, cut the ribbon during the grand opening ceremony of the new flight-centric recruiting office May 13, 2015, Prattville, Alabama. Also attending the ceremony were Col. Robert Borja, 369th Recruiting Group commander, left, and Lt. Col. Johnathan Austin, 331st Recruiting Squadron commander. In an effort to share manpower and resources, the new facility will combine three offices into one. (U.S Air Force photo by Bud Hancock/Cleared)

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331st RS showcases new flight-centric office

Published May 20, 2015
By Lisa Warr
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The 331st Recruiting Squadron showcased its new flight-centric recruiting office during a grand opening ceremony in Prattville, Alabama, May 13, 2015.

In an effort to share manpower and resources, the new facility, located at 694 North McQueen Smith Road, will combine the Air Force recruiting offices from Montgomery and Prattville and one recruiting supervisor office into one.

The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Lt. Col. Johnathan Austin, 331st Recruiting Squadron commander and host, followed by an oath of enlistment ceremony for 13 recruits and a tour of the new flight-centric office, also known as a hub.

"The 331st Recruiting Squadron's consolidation of three of our offices into one will give our recruiters and their leadership the opportunity to lead for the first time in a team environment," said Austin. "This consolidation also allows us the leverage to assign and balance our recruiting responsibilities with the needs of being a great Airman. This action ensures we will more effectively inspire, engage and recruit future Airmen to deliver airpower for America from Prattville, Montgomery, and the surrounding area."

Currently, each recruiting office is manned by two recruiters who must perform the same duties at each location. Consolidating will reduce duplication of tasks and resources and increase the ability to train and carry out mission requirements.

Even with the consolidation at the new hub, the Montgomery recruiting office, located at 2941 East Blvd., will remain open as a satellite office. Eventually, the satellite office will move to the hub, but is staying to allow time for the local community to become aware of the new location.

According to the Air Force Recruiting Service, the effort to move toward flight-centric offices began in April 2012. There are eight flight-centric transformation offices opened as of May 2015. Current studies of these offices show improved professional development, shortened training times, higher morale, and, in most cases, exceeded recruiting production goals through the end of February 2015 - all factors that result in enhanced customer service for potential applicants.