Georgia Soldier one of two
to graduate from new
recruiting program

Georgia National Guard
Public Affairs Office

A Georgia Army National Guardsman is one of two Soldiers to graduate as a cannon crewmember and become the first Active First Program participants to successfully complete artillery training at Fort Sill, Okla.

“It’s an honor and a privilege for me. I’m very proud of who I am and what I have accomplished,” said Pvt. Jhakeem A. Chambers of Springfield. “Once my active tour is done, and I return to the Guard, I’ll start going to college.”

He looks forward to the experience he’ll gain as an active duty Soldier, which will help him in his career as a Guardsman.

Chambers, 18, is home for two weeks of hometown recruiting. He later reports to Fort Hood, Texas, for assignment as an artilleryman with the active Army’s 4th Infantry Division.  Most of the 4th Infantry is deployed to Iraq.

Chambers, who initially enlisted with Springfield-based Battery A, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery, signed up for Active First to serve with the regular Army for four years. He then spends another four years with the 118th.

During his graduation from Battery D, 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery, Chambers received the oath of enlistment from Capt. Jonathan W. Craig 

– Battery D commander – and received applause from 62 of his fellow Soldiers and attending family members.

Chambers said his Army Guard and active duty experiences are working out for the best, and he looks forward to a successful military career.

 “This is a historic moment for Fort Sill to graduate its very first Active First Soldiers,” said Sgt. Maj. Gregory M. Galloway, reserve component liaison sergeant major. “Private Chambers and his classmate should feel proud of what they’re doing because the Active First program is only open to the very best candidates, and very few people qualify for entry.”

During Fiscal Year 2008, the Army National Guard nationwide has been tasked with enlisting 1,600 recruits in a joint effort with the active Army.  The Guard receives credit for the accession while the active component, which names specific Military Occupational Specialties it needs to fill, adds to its overall end strength.

As of late February, only about 300 slots remained unfilled, according to National Guard Bureau information. The most popular specialties the regular Army seeks to fill include infantry, artillery, military police, aviation, transportation and heavy-vehicle mechanic.

Georgia, especially, has embraced the program, is third in the nation, overall, in Active First enlistments, said Lt. Col. Thomas Carden, commander Georgia Army Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.

 “The program offers our recruiters an opportunity to make every Soldier’s first military experience a great one,” Carden explained, “by providing those recruiters with the same options as the ones their active duty counterparts offer to prospective Soldiers.”

Editor’s Note: Story and photo were provided by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Wedeking Reserve component liaison NCO, Fort Sill, Okla.

 

| News Home | GADOD Home |