YAB recruiter enlists American Airmen in Japan

Photo By Staff Sgt. David Owsianka | Tech. Sgt. Angelo Barcelona, 369th Recruiting Squadron pacific operations program manager and recruiter, talks to a high school student and her father about joining the U.S. Air Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan Sept. 12, 2017. Barcelona is also the AF recruiter for all of the U.S. military installations across mainland Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Owsianka)  

YOKOTA AIR BASE, TOKYO, JAPAN

09.18.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. David Owsianka 

374th Airlift Wing

Only one percent of the U.S. qualifies for the Air Force. For Air Force recruiters, finding that one percent can be a grueling task; epically when you are searching in Japan.

Located in Bldg. 316 room 118 on Yokota Air Base, Japan is an Air Force recruiting office where Tech. Sgt. Angelo Barcelona, 369th Recruiting Squadron pacific operations program manager and recruiter, helps civilians become Airmen.

“There is a great need for an Air Force recruiter here in Japan and I am able to help enlist some great individuals,” Barcelona said. “We offer people the opportunity to become an Airman as enlisted or officer.”

The mission of the Air Force Recruiting Service is to inspire, engage, and recruit future Airman to deliver airpower for America. The emphasis is on recruiting intelligent young men and women who can be trained to handle the sophisticated systems and equipment of today's highly technical Air Force.

There are approximately 990 recruiting offices in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam Germany, Japan and England. Recruiting abroad ensures a diverse force and inclusive culture.

Barcelona is not just the Air Force recruiter for Yokota, he helps recruits enlist from Misawa AB, Marine Core Air Station Iwakuni, Camp Zama and other military installations throughout mainland Japan.

As the recruiter in Japan, Barcelona performs two additional tasks to help civilians become Airmen. He is in charge of the delayed entry program (DEP) and the military entrance processing station (MEPS).

For the DEP, he either meets with the individuals once a month in person or talks with them on the phone; and for MEPS, Barcelona schedules applicants to meet with local doctors and complete medical checks to make sure they are medically qualified to join.

“Being the recruiter for the entire island of Japan; communication by email and phone is essential because of the amount of money and time it saves. Applicants are only required to meet when we absolutely have to, whether it’s signing documents or leaving for basic military training (BMT),” Barcelona said. “The conversations are used to touch base with the individuals joining and ease their transition into the Air Force.”

Joining the military may be challenging, but Barcelona is here to help set up future Airmen for success.

“I want people to know that it is a great opportunity, and everyone’s experience is going to be different no matter what job they get or where they are stationed,” Barcelona said. “I think that the breakdown of BMT will instill that independence and confidence in you, it really helps an individual grow. And it’s amazing for a young person to get their footing and go out into the world to start their life.”

For those interested in joining the U.S. Air Force contact Barcelona at 315-225-7328, email him at [e-mail] or stop by his office on Yokota.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2017
• Date Posted: 09.19.2017 03:02
• Story ID: 248795
• Location: YOKOTA AIR BASE, TOKYO, JP