Navy recruiters say the Blue Angels are helping them bring in new service members. They say the jet team's show this weekend in Lynchburg has definitely provided a boost in curiosity from dozens of potential recruits.
They claim this almost always happens after the Angels come to town. It is, after all, the stated mission of the Blue Angels, to serve as the Navy's primary recruiting team, showing young men and women what they can do in the military.
It's obvious, the message was received loud and clear.
18-year-old Jonathan Vanderpol had an idea he wanted to go into the Navy. After watching the Blue Angels, he was convinced.
"It was the first time I ever saw them, I actually didn't even know they were a part of the Navy. Good advertising I guess, you could say, especially you know with like U.S. Navy right under the wings and everything," said Vanderpol.
Vanderpol is set to take his Naval oath this week, a day or two before he graduates from Heritage High School.
"The first instinct is they want to be those guys that are flying you know 450 miles an hour, 18 inches apart," said AD2 Joshua Ray, Navy Recruiter.
Petty Officer 2 Joshua Ray knows the appeal of the Angels. They helped lure him to the Navy.
"The first time I saw them fly was actually as a kid. Grew up kind of loving Naval aviation and kind of grew into the, that's what I want to do for a living," said AD2 Ray.
Ray started as a jet mechanic before becoming a recruiter. He's not the only one benefiting from this weekend's visit.
"Blue Angels definitely opens a lot of people's eyes to new things and helps us recruit on a higher expectation," said Staff Sgt. Eliezer Muniz, Marine Corps Recruiter.
Marines are quick to point out there are Marine pilots now flying with the Angels.
As for Vanderpol, he's ready to start his own adventure.
"It looks cool, they you know bring a lot of excitement and everything so, I am excited, I'm really excited," said Vanderpol.
They claim this almost always happens after the Angels come to town. It is, after all, the stated mission of the Blue Angels, to serve as the Navy's primary recruiting team, showing young men and women what they can do in the military.
It's obvious, the message was received loud and clear.
18-year-old Jonathan Vanderpol had an idea he wanted to go into the Navy. After watching the Blue Angels, he was convinced.
"It was the first time I ever saw them, I actually didn't even know they were a part of the Navy. Good advertising I guess, you could say, especially you know with like U.S. Navy right under the wings and everything," said Vanderpol.
Vanderpol is set to take his Naval oath this week, a day or two before he graduates from Heritage High School.
"The first instinct is they want to be those guys that are flying you know 450 miles an hour, 18 inches apart," said AD2 Joshua Ray, Navy Recruiter.
Petty Officer 2 Joshua Ray knows the appeal of the Angels. They helped lure him to the Navy.
"The first time I saw them fly was actually as a kid. Grew up kind of loving Naval aviation and kind of grew into the, that's what I want to do for a living," said AD2 Ray.
Ray started as a jet mechanic before becoming a recruiter. He's not the only one benefiting from this weekend's visit.
"Blue Angels definitely opens a lot of people's eyes to new things and helps us recruit on a higher expectation," said Staff Sgt. Eliezer Muniz, Marine Corps Recruiter.
Marines are quick to point out there are Marine pilots now flying with the Angels.
As for Vanderpol, he's ready to start his own adventure.
"It looks cool, they you know bring a lot of excitement and everything so, I am excited, I'm really excited," said Vanderpol.
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