Retiree uses kite as recruiting tool - Round The Reserve

Citizen Airman, Oct, 2003 by Steve Staedler

Air Force Reserve Command is reaching new heights these days and, perhaps more importantly, reaching new audiences.

One person with a unique way of drawing attention and spreading the word about career opportunities available in the Reserve is recently retired Master Sgt. Karl Steidl of the 440th Maintenance Squadron, Gen. Mitchell International Airport Air Reserve Station, Wis. His "hook" for meeting people on Milwaukee's lakefront and starting up a conversation is an eyecatching new AFRC kite.

"It's an attention getter," said Steidl, who retired from the Reserve in July. When people come over to talk to him about the kite, he said he does his best to recruit them.

Steidl, of Beloit, Wis., said he designed his AFRC kite because he wanted to build something different and something that would get noticed. He said the kite, which stands about 10 feet tall and about 6 feet wide, is clearly visible at an altitude of 300 feet or less.

Steidl built his first kite with his grandfather more than 50 years ago. When people ask him for advice on getting a kite to fly, Steidl gives them his standard two-word answer--don't' run.

"I've never run in my life with a kite," he said with a laugh. "I help out kids down at the lake all the time. They go to the kite shop and buy a kite and here they are running like mad dragging it in the grass.

"If a kite is built right, you don't have to run with it."

Although his military career is over, Steidl said he plans to continue telling the Air Force Reserve story to anyone who will listen.

"I want to continue spreading the word with this kite," he said. (Staff Sgt. Steve Staedler, 440th AW Office of Public Affairs, Gen. Mitchell IAP ARS)