Getting 1 and then some: NYPD cop shows how it's done

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jason Tudor
  • Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  As he patrols Gotham's streets as one of New York's Finest, Air Force Reserve Tech. Sgt. Andy Jean-Pierre is focused on more than just protecting and serving. He's also looking out for national defense.

In doing so, the traditional reservist helped 18 people join the Air Force Reserve between Oct. 1, 2007, and Sept. 30, 2008, and earned honors as the top "Get 1 Now" agent. Sergeant Jean-Pierre, a KC-10 crew chief assigned to the 514th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire AFB, N.J., also led 30 others to the recruiting office.

The Get 1 Now program is open to all Air Force reservists. Citizen Airmen who spot potential recruits can refer them to a recruiter and receive credit for that referral. If the referral completes the recruiting process and joins the Air Force Reserve - then called an accession -- the referring reservist gets a separate credit for that.

For Sergeant Jean-Pierre, the urge to help people help themselves was a driving factor in bringing people into the Air Force Reserve recruiting office. On his beat, he said that he constantly bumps into worthy people who could use a push. He pushes them to an Air Force Reserve recruiting office.

"I meet so many people who give up on life. I tell them I am a Reservist and how it's helped me," he said. "I just tell them about the opportunity."

He also clears up misconceptions. "So many people have this picture of the military in their minds - that military people bark at you for your whole career. What they don't know about is the opportunity to get an education and the other aspects."

Once convinced, potential recruits are shepherded to the office of Air Force Reserve recruiter Tech. Sgt. Eric Ramos-Rodriguez. Sergeant Ramos said getting an assist from Sergeant Jean-Pierre has been crucial to the Brooklyn-based recruiter.

"Everybody he's referred, they're always qualified. He's a cop so he's pretty well qualified to make assessment of folks," Sergeant Ramos said. "He's spreading the word. He lives in my recruiting zone. He makes my life a lot easier."

Sergeant Jean-Pierre similarly helped himself eight years earlier. As an airline baggage handler, Sergeant Jean-Pierre said he was "getting nowhere fast." Sergeant Jean-Pierre decided to join the Regular Air Force. Sergeant Ramos, then on active-duty, also recruited him to active-duty service.

Col. Francis M. Mungavin, commander of Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service and fellow New York City native, said efforts like those given by Sergeant Jean-Pierre ensure the Reserve component stays strong.

"These kind of people - the kind that help us find and recruit quality individuals - only come along every once in a while," the colonel said. "We need to nurture and grow these kind of folks. They help us build a strong future for the Air Force Reserve."

Sergeant Jean-Pierre will keep walking his beat and continue to refer people to Sergeant Ramos.

"I just want to tell them about the opportunities in the Air Force Reserve," he said. "A lot of people don't know what we do or they think it's all flying. So, I want to help them make that first step and consider the Air Force Reserve."