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G-RAP Profitable For Guard NCO, Army Bringing new people into the armed services is no longer the sole dominion of the military recruiter. In 2005, the National Guard unveiled the Guard Recruiting Assistants Program, or G-RAP, an aggressive new recruiting program bringing ordinary Guardsmen into the recruiting effort. One Georgia Army Guardsman is showing the nation how G-RAP can be both successful and profitable! Georgia Army Guard Sgt. Dana Kline, an infantryman and assistant training noncommissioned officer for Headquarters Company, 48th Infantry Combat Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, has enthusiastically endorsed the program and, as a result, has pocketed more than $62,000 through the G-RAP program. Kline ranks number one in the nation for the most successful non-recruiting Guardsman in the nation. Sgt Kline, a resident of Macon, GA, has been in the Guard for only 16 months, but has been recruiting new Soldiers since March 2006. He has tallied up a total of 47 new prospects, 38 contracts and 26 recruits who have gone on to basic training. According the G-RAP officials, “The Guard launched the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP) to establish a position of strength from which the Guard can achieve its accession mission and increase the number of Military Occupational Specialty qualified Soldiers.” The program allows traditional Army and Air Guardsmen to earn $2,000 for each soldier who signs a contract and heads off to basic training. Kline, like many other participating Guardsmen, became involved in the G-RAP program because he saw it as a “golden opportunity to talk about the Guard to interested young people, and for the money.” “I like to recruit,” says the former Marine recruiter, "and to help guide young people’s careers. I love to tell them about my experiences and the opportunities available in the Guard and let them decide for themselves.” Kline routinely sets a monthly goal for himself and does what's needed to reach it. In January, his goal was to talk to 3 people. He easily met his goal. February was a similar story. Kline is now considering becoming a full time recruiter for the Georgia National Guard. For his efforts, Kline was awarded the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal, together with a plaque from the G-RAP program for his significant personal achievement. All active National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and retirees with 20-plus years of service are eligible to participate in the G-RAP program. |
