Air Force on ice: Reserve enlists six during hockey game

by Master Sgt. Brannen Parrish
931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs

12/7/2013 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Six men and women took the first steps toward future careers in the Air Force Reserve during the first period intermission of the Wichita Thunder hockey game against the Tulsa Oilers, at Intrust Bank Arena, Dec. 7.

Colonel Mark S. Larson, commander, 931st Air Refueling Group presided over the ceremony, delivering the oath of enlistment to the organization's future members.

"This moment represents a significant step in the lives of these future Airmen," said Larson. "We are honored to have the opportunity to share this experience with the Wichita community, and Thunder fans."

The oath of enlistment is the final step in the recruitment process for Air Force Reserve applicants and signifies their word of commitment to follow through with their promise, attend basic military training and become Airmen.

Ryan Colston, a 2013 graduate of Chanute High School in Chanute, Kan. made the two-hour trek to Wichita in order to attend the ceremony. Colston is slated to become an aircraft maintainer at the 931st ARG. His sister, Jennifer, is currently in basic military training.

"My sister told me the Air Force would give me an opportunity to go to school," said Colston. "I want to open an automotive repair shop one day and working on airplanes will help me with that. An airplane is definitely more complicated than a car."

Curniqwa Williams, of Wichita, is a recent Wichita Heights High School graduate. Her family attended the hockey game to see their daughter enlist in front of about 2,000 spectators. Her father, John Bell, served at McConnell from 1987-1990.

"I talked to her about it and told her that it might be an option for her," said Bell. "It will help her pay for college."