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Major General Larry Ross swears-in a group of Army Guard recruits during a cermeony at the state Capitol.
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By SPC Amanda Luksic
"We are at 147 percent of our goal," said Lt. Col. Thomas Carden, commander of the Army Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
In the past the Army Guard recruiters have continuously recruited above and beyond the number of Soldiers set by the National Guard Bureau. In November 2005, the Army Guard recruited 136 new Soldiers while in 2006, recruiters exceeded NGB’s goal by more than 30 enlistments, gathering 174 new Soldiers. This year Army Guard recruiters enlisted 180 new Soldiers, 46 more than needed to reach 100 percent for the month.
Nationwide the Army National Guard brought in 5,135 Soldiers, which was 1,000 more than the 4,423 goal set for the month. National Guard officials said that in November the Army Guard enlisted 264 soldiers under the Active First program. That program awards recruits an enlistment bonus upon joining the active-duty force and another bonus when they transfer to the Guard.
The Air Guard also exceeded NGB’s expectations for recruiters. Last year recruiters reached 125 percent of their goal enlisting 318 new Airmen, nearly 100 more than the Bureau’s goal. This year was no different. Forty-four new Airmen already were recruited and the Air Guard has already pushed past the 42 accession goal set for the year. Some 17 of those new recruits joined in November alone, reports Senior Master Sgt. Rick Hamilton, recruiting and retention superintendent for the Air Guard.
The Air National Guard and Army National Guard easily made their November goals at 133 percent and 116 percent, respectively. The Air National Guard had an accessions goal of 551 and signed up 735 airmen.
"This is a result of hard work by more than 8,000 recruiters nationwide," Army Recruiting Command spokesman Douglas Smith said. "It is a difficult recruiting environment, but we have a great benefits package for young men and women, and we are making the best use we can of the service bonus programs."
The American Forces Press Service contributed to this report.