RAP: Really Awesome Program Published April 26, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Let's face it, military life can be repetitive. A servicemember goes into work at the same time, in the same uniform, to the same place, to do the same job, everyday. Sometimes the repetition becomes too much and we need a break; it happens to the best of us. However, instead of burning up precious leave-days, there is another way to take a much-needed vacation you may have forgotten about. The Recruiter Assistance Program allows servicemembers to work at the recruiting office of their choosing for up to two work-weeks without using any of their leave. An individual can participate in RAP once per year every year until separation from the military. Participation in the program is subject to recruiter, supervisor and commander discretion, and may be unavailable due to mission requirements. However, if everything is approved and coordinated correctly, I found it an excellent way to visit my family while still holding onto my leave. However, I almost missed out on RAP because I, like many other new Airmen, mistakenly thought RAP was only available upon immediate graduation from technical training. Fortunately, my recruiter, Staff Sgt. Daniel Merrill, 362nd Recruiting Squadron, sent me a text message letting me know I was still able to participate. Within three days, with the help of my chain of command, I had a plane ticket and was packed and ready to head out. Don't worry, the paperwork involved in participating is manageable. Basically, Sergeant Merrill sent me a RAP request form, I had my supervisor and commander sign it, and faxed it back. Then, I had my leave forms printed and signed. Not too difficult right? I chose to return to my hometown of San Diego, whose beautiful beaches, blue skies and palm trees looked all the more wonderful following a cold winter at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Since a RAP tour can only span one weekend, I began on Monday so I could stay as long as possible. Probably the coolest thing about RAP was being able to return to the recruiting office in uniform and remember the time when I sat there, unkempt and clueless about the Air Force. It was especially enjoyable to give the Delayed Entry Program participants the "low-down" on basic training and the operational Air Force, which is essentially the whole purpose of RAP, according to Sergeant Merrill. "A potential applicant would rather hear from an Airman right out of basic training and technical training to find out what they think of their decision to join," said Sergeant Merrill. "They would rather hear from a 'RAPper' than a recruiter any day." Interestingly, I gained a better appreciation for the career choice I had chosen by talking with the DEPers. They asked me things like, "is it worth it to join?", and I was able to say, "yeah, we get tuition assistance, travel opportunities, financial stability and the chance to tell our kids some cool stories down the road." In convincing these applicants of the benefits of military life, I reminded myself how rewarding the path I chose truly is. RAP convinces civilans to join the Air Force, and Airmen to stay in. While working in the office, I took phone calls, filled out questionnaires, graded tests and answered questions. I just missed a chance to go paintballing with the DEPpers; too bad, I could've shown them what basic training taught me on the firing range. There was even a chance for me to drill the incoming Airmen on a make-shift drill-pad (some antiquated drycleaner's parking lot). The weeks flew by quickly and before I knew it, I was back on the job. But the chance to see friends and family for free, minus the plane ticket, was a welcome respite to the daily grind. All in all, RAP was just what I needed for a vacation, and I didn't have to spend any leave to do it.