TUCSON, Ariz. --
The Air National Guard Recruiting Creative Marketing team visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base here July 14-18 to film an ANG chaplain recruiting video.
Assisted by 162nd Wing personnel and assets here, the cast and crew spent the week filming at various locations on Davis-Monthan in addition to other locations throughout the country.
The video is part of an effort to build awareness for the ANG's need of chaplains, and to encourage service by chaplains of sparsely represented faith groups. Chaplain Col. William T. Yates, deputy director ANG Chaplain Corps, was selected as the spokesperson for the production.
"I am praying that the production will reach out into our communities and a minister somewhere will feel the pull to put on the uniform and serve the men and women of the Air National Guard," said Yates.
Yates described his service as the greatest journey of his life feeling proud, humble, excited, and joyous about the people and experiences he's encountered during his career.
Chaplains provide support at the most important and critical times in member's lives, said Yates. They serve their country by ministering and caring for the hurts and sorrows of people going through some of the most difficult struggles and crises of life.
"Getting an opportunity to serve and minister to people in times of need has been so rewarding," said Yates. "You come home feeling like you really made a difference."
Chaplains are unique in that they forge meaningful relationships with members at all levels, whether supporting the emotional and spiritual needs of brand new Airmen or assisting leaders during sensitive and significant moments in the history of their wings.
"When you know that you're equipping and serving Airmen, you feel like it has a ripple effect that is serving a larger force," said Yates.
Yates has served as an ANG chaplain for nearly 30 years. Although his father was a fighter pilot in World War II, he never imagined himself in the Air National Guard.
"Becoming a chaplain was a deep sense of call," said Yates. "You have a sense that God is working through you and other chaplains."
Yates was thrilled to be selected as the spokesperson for the project, and said that growing the ANG chaplain community would be an answer to his prayers.
Also selected to be part of the production were 162nd Wing members Tech. Sgt. Priscilla M. Torres, command support staff member with the Mission Support Group, and Senior Airman Curtus J. Cowles, equipment ordnance mechanic with the Munitions Flight.
Cowles and Torres spent two days with the ANG Recruiting Creative Marketing team working as extras in the production. They participated in several scenes including one that portrayed them engaged in a prayer circle. Cowles participated in another ANG Recruiting Creative Marketing production last fall, however for Torres, this was her first experience with the team and with a filming production of this magnitude.
"I thought it was a great experience," said Torres who found her glimpse into the marketing and advertising side of the ANG fascinating.
Cowles was captivated by the scope of impact the production would have on the ANG and its recruiting efforts.
It opens your eyes to the variety of career fields in need of personnel, said Cowles.
Cowles and Torres feel honored to have been chosen to represent the 162nd Wing and the ANG for this recruiting production, and look forward to seeing the finished product.
The finished product will be a 4-minute infomercial showcased throughout the ANG chaplain community, said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher P. Gillis, superintendent of the ANG Recruiting Creative Marketing branch.
The ANG Recruiting Creative Marketing branch is the official visual information activity for the ANG Recruiting and Retention Division responsible for planning, organizing and producing high-quality, commercial-grade media for ANG recruiting and retention efforts.