U.S. AIR FORCE - Delayed Entry Program - Recruiter Assistance Program




	RAP Offers Chance to Bring 'Home' to Office RAP Duties Prove Valuable to Recruiter \| Behind the Desk In the Zone \| In the Community \| When to Get Started Improving Chances for RAP Airman Returns Home to Participate in RAP

	RAP Offers Chance to Bring 'Home' to Office	Back to Top
	Most agree bringing work home from the office is avoided if at all possible. Instead, the Recruiter Assistance Program finds success in bringing the home to the office in the form of local Airmen telling the Air Force story. While the recruiter’s role is to ensure people qualify for service, many young men and women ultimately based their decisions to join on careful consideration and likely discussions with several people. For a lot of them, speaking with Airmen participating in the Recruiter Assistance Program (RAP) probably helped ease doubts about joining and erased the skepticism some may have had. The RAP brings Air Force technical training graduates back to their hometowns to work alongside recruiters for up to 12 days before their first duty assignments. Although RAPpers must provide their own transportation to their hometowns and their own living arrangements during the program, the days spent working in the recruiter’s office are nonchargeable leave. Duty days are spent assisting the recruiter, and evenings are free to spend with family and friends. To learn more about the Recruiter Assistance Program, download the RAP Handbook (PDF).
	RAP Duties Prove Valuable to Recruiter	Back to Top
	So you want to take advantage of the Recruiter Assistance Program and its benefit of returning home, but you’re not quite sure what you’ll be doing? The most valuable contributions of RAP duty are your personal testimonials, assistance in school visits and performance of other recruiting related tasks. As some of the Air Force’s newest Airmen, you can make unique contributions to the recruiting mission. The following are some duties in which your recruiter may ask for your assistance.
	Behind the Desk	Back to Top
	• Develop prospecting lists using a high school yearbook. Prospecting lists include those individuals who meet general Air Force qualifications. • Conduct “light” phone contact. Begin with people you’re comfortable with such as your friends and former classmates. • Develop a brief summary of your basic training and technical training experiences. Include what a typical day was like, what to expect, what you liked best, and what you wish you would have known beforehand. You can use this information at gatherings such as Delayed Entry Program commander’s calls. • Participate in DEP commander’s calls by meeting with upcoming shippers and answering questions about basic training and technical training.
	In the Zone	Back to Top
	• Conduct visits to area high schools and colleges with your recruiter. • Obtain school lists for high school seniors and juniors. • Make limited classroom presentations, primarily answering questions other students may have about the Air Force. • Share your experiences with your former counselors and teachers; this builds support for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB testing. • Attend center of influence events for educators and students to answer their questions. • Help man lunchroom displays and attend career day activities. • Speak to students who operate school radio or television talk shows, or tell the school newspaper staff about your job.
	In the Community	Back to Top
	• Assist with special events involving the setup of the mini-jet or Raptor SUV. • Participate in parades. • Conduct local news interviews, such as a hometown news release or military column. • Participate in base tours with prospective applicants.
	When to Get Started:	Back to Top
	To participate, submit AETC Form 1327, Application for Participation in the Recruiter Assistance Program, to the recruiting squadron program monitor at least four weeks before graduation from technical training. It’s important that you notify the recruiting squadron RAP monitor if your graduation date changes as it affects your RAP dates.
	Improving Chances for RAP Involvement in DEP, Success at Training Vital for Approval	Back to Top
	Most Airmen applying for Recruiter Assistance Program duty are excited to return to their hometowns for a chance to share new experiences with others. However, they must keep in mind that applying for RAP doesn’t necessarily guarantee approval. Home applicants are approved for less than the full 12 days; and sometimes for dates different from what they requested. Becoming a candidate for RAP duty takes more than completing the proper paperwork. Many Airmen returning to their hometowns for RAP duty are often those who have made the most contributions while in the Delayed Entry Program. Applicants must also have done well in tech school and not have any disciplinary action. After reviewing an application for RAP, the recruiter is contacted for a recommendation of approval or disapproval. Recruiters generally recommend approval unless they’ll be unavailable during the time the Airman will be in the area or if they exceed the target of two participants per month or one participant at a time. Based on the recommendation of the recruiter, the recruiting squadron RAP monitor coordinates the request with the recruiting squadron commander, who approves or disapproves the application. Once the approval process is completed, the applicant is notified. Airmen approved for RAP duty should also receive a commander’s verification letter from the recruiting squadron. A signed, fax copy will be sent to the applicant’s unit representative at their technical training school. If approved for RAP, Airmen should contact the recruiter they'll work with immediately when they arrive home on leave. The recruiter will verify dates of participation, make sure Airmen can meet their reporting or port call dates, and specify when and where to report for duty.
	Airman Returns Home to Participate in RAP	Back to Top
	An airman first class selected for special duty as a ceremonial guardsman in the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard is among the many who returned home as part of the Recruiter Assistance Program to share their experiences with others in the community. Airman 1st Class Casey McCurdy used the RAP to assist Master Sgt. Joe Pearcey with recruiting efforts in Casper, Wyoming, and the surrounding areas. “The RAP is a wonderful chance for Airmen to return home to visit with family and friends and talk about their experiences with the Air Force,” said Sergeant Pearcey. McCurdy completed Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Sergeant Pearcey said Airman McCurdy graduated BMT with honors and was selected for special duty with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. Before joining the Air Force, the Airman studied at Casper College, where he received an associate’s degree in fire science and was named to the college’s presidential honor roll. His intentions are to continue his training and career as a firefighter for the Air Force, but has now added an additional element to his plans with his selection to the prestigious Air Force Honor Guard. Sergeant Pearcey said the new Airman plans to take advantage of tuition assistance benefits available through the Air Force to pursue his bachelor’s degree in fire science at the University of Maryland while stationed at Bolling AFB, D.C. As a member of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, Airman McCurdy serves as a ceremonial representative of the service at public and official ceremonies. Those include presidential inaugurals, funerals for heads of state, and arrival and departure ceremonies for visiting dignitaries. Airman McCurdy said he’s proud to serve as a ceremonial guardsman where the motto is, “To Honor with Dignity.”