Virtual re-enlistment ceremonies new norm for 445th Airmen

Lt. Col. Sherri Ellis, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, administers the oath of enlistment virtually to Staff Sgt. Logan Wild, 445th AES aeromedical evacuation technician, as he re-enlists May 4. Master Sgt. Eric Riehle, 445th AES career advisor, witnesses via video conferencing. Ellis is Wild’s supervisor and resides in Utah, while Wild lives in Columbus, Ohio. (Courtesy photo)

Lt. Col. Sherri Ellis, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, administers the oath of enlistment virtually to Staff Sgt. Logan Wild, 445th AES aeromedical evacuation technician, as he re-enlists May 4. Master Sgt. Eric Riehle, 445th AES career advisor, witnesses via video conferencing. Ellis is Wild’s supervisor and resides in Utah, while Wild lives in Columbus, Ohio. (Courtesy photo)

As the men and women of the 445th Airlift Wing adjust to a new normal, social distancing has affected the way every day events are implemented. Such is the case of re-enlistment ceremonies.

Senior Master Sgt. Sena Walker, wing career assistance advisor for the 445th AW and 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, said several Airmen have taken part in a virtual re-enlistment and have given family members the opportunity to observe the re-enlistment from a distance. The Airman can share their continuation of their military career with friends and family who are also at home.

“Covid-19 may have altered the way re-enlistments are conducted; however, our Airmen are resilient and adapt to their environment. Tradition and pride in serving our country have overcome this unprecedented time as our Airmen continue to serve virtually,” Walker said.

Walker said as long as the Airman has been approved for re-enlistment and has a video platform installed on their device, re-enlistments can and will continue.

“The re-enlistment ceremony can be conducted via Skype, Teams, FaceTime, Zoom, etc. As long as an authorized re-enlisting official is performing the oath before the re-enlistee, this meets the spirit and intent of Air Force instructions.”

Walker added that all other requirements outlined in Air Force Instruction 36-2606 Re-enlistment and Extension of Enlistment in the United States Air Force, still apply; such as wearing the official uniform and the ceremony being conducted in a dignified manner in reverence to the oath that is being taken. Additionally, the DD Form 4 AF are common access card enabled, but the forms may be digitally or wet signed during this time. The military witness, re-enlistee and re-enlisting official may digitally sign, wet sign, or use a combination of digital and wet signatures on the documents and immediately forward them back to their unit, group or wing career assistance advisor.

Airmen who wish to postpone his/her re-enlistment to perform a traditional ceremony, is currently authorized an extension of up to three months.

About the Author