Get One Now program offers reservists 'Idol' experience Published July 28, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Chelsea Smith 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Lines extending from the box office included fans and familiar faces from Dobbins, as reservists gathered July 26 to attend the American Idols Live concert at the Gwinnet Arena in Duluth, Ga. Twelve reservists, who brought friends and family members, won a pair of tickets through the Get One Now program which serves as a tool for reservists to refer candidates who may be interested in joining the Air Force Reserve. Amongst the crowd, Staff Sgt. Alexis Sellers , 94th Airlift Wing Finance, said she heard about the tickets offered through the Get One Now program and concurrently knew of a person interested in joining, whom she referred using the program. "I find it beneficial to get someone to join because with the state of the economy, the current war, and the benefits offered to reservists," said Sellers. "It's a win-win situation." Sellers, along with other reservists, met the top 11 finalists during a meet and greet which included receiving an autographed poster and photograph with the finalists. "It was great meeting them and seeing them in person," said Amya Hudson, daughter of Capt. Hudson, protocol officer, 94th Airlift Wing. "I went to the American Idol tour in 2007, but this was my first time meeting the idols backstage." Wing members are encouraged to use the Get One Now program as a recruiting tool not only for the incentives, but for the mutual benefit of the Air Force Reserve and candidates. "Who would best serve with you than someone you know," said Master Sgt. Robert Dunn, Air Force Reserve recruiter. "The program is designed so that reservists don't have to talk to recruiters directly. It's simple in that they can go refer people through the system, which filters their information and sends it directly to us." It is with this ease that Senior Airman Keith Hood, 94th Civil Engineering Squadron, has submitted over ten people using the website. "It's a great opportunity to assist others that want to join, but it's more helpful to the Air Force Reserve," said Hood. "I received positive feedback from my unit and it motivates me to keep referring people." The program offers incentives as a form of motivation to procure more referrals. Depending on the amount of accessions, incentives include free concert tickets, laptops, portable DVD players, amongst other electronics. But many reservists in attendance were not concerned with the tangible rewards, but rather the impact they have on the recruitment process. "Material things don't matter," said Hood. "It's nice to be of assistance and I enjoy the recognition I receive from my fellow airmen." To support its recruiting efforts, the Blaine Warren Advertising manages the Get One Now program, primarily focusing on events and marketing to provide highly qualified candidates, often with job specific backgrounds, said Gina Ioffee, account director, Blaine Warren Advertising. "We did our first Get One Now event in 2010," said Ioffee. "This year we chose the American Idol tour based on its popularity with the target demographic and strong interest from reservists." The Get One Now program was first implemented in 2005 to support recruiting efforts through one of the Air Force's greatest assets, its people. Six years later, it's still going strong.
