Eight Air Force recruits take an oath of enlistment during a swear-in ceremony at the MEPS in Shreveport, Louisiana, Feb. 27, 2018. U.S. Brig. Gen. Jonathan Ellis, mobilization assistant to the 8th Air Force commander from Barksdale Air Force Base, led the ceremony. Approximately 6,000 “shipper”, delayed enlistment and accessioned applicants pass through the Shreveport MEPS gateway annually on their way to their Service’s basic training.