News

New Reserve recruiter moves into Tukwila, Washington office

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  After about six years in one location, it can be nice, even rejuvenating, to switch it up. That's what led the 446th Airlift Wing's newest addition to its recruiting staff to Washington state.

Master Sgt. James Joyal moved from Beale Air Force Base, California to McChord Field here to serve as the Air Force Reserve recruiter based in Tukwila, Washington.

A Reservist since 2006, Joyal first joined the active-duty Air Force in 2002 serving as a utilities journeyman in the civil engineer career field.

Joyal became a recruiter for the Air Force Reserve in 2009, and as most recruiters do, became very familiar with the people and places around him at Beale AFB.

"Down at Beale, I knew everyone and knew all the aspects the unit and how it worked because I had been there so long," said Joyal, a dirt bike enthusiast. "I just felt it was time for me to try something different and figured this would be a good place to try it; a different recruiting atmosphere and different wing. "

Originally from Decatur Illinois, Joyal moved to Sacramento, California when he was 13. This is why he considered it home and started his Reserve career at Beale AFB.

"I didn't even know where Beale was; I didn't even know there was an Air Force base up there. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere," said Joyal, who has served both in Iraq and provided civil engineer support in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"I went to Biloxi Mississippi with my civil engineer unit. We were cutting trees off of people's houses, ripping dry wall out of people's houses, helping clear the streets, putting fire hydrants back together, moving cars from houses and buildings," said Joyal.  "At Keesler (Air Force Base, Mississippi) we cleared out the commissary with front loaders; just pushed it all out the back. But most of our work was done out in the community."

Being out in the community is the lifeblood of a recruiter and Joyal's community now is from Tukwila north to the Canadian border.

"I've only been here one week, so my first priority is getting familiar with the geography," he said. "I just need to get established and get out there and meet people naturally. That's how I like to get my name out there."

With most schools ending the year soon, Joyal will explore the area and get the word out about the Air Force Reserve through advertising, word of mouth, career fairs, and local colleges. If you know someone interested in joining the Air Force Reserve, contact Joyal at 206-901-0615. His office is at 16600 Southcenter Parkway, suite 100.