Photo By Maj. Jessica Donnelly | Soldiers graduating the Recruit Sustainment Program were presented a coin from Command...... read more read more
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COLUMBIA, S.C.— Soldiers graduated from the South Carolina National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program in a patching ceremony at the Bluff Road Armory in Columbia, South Carolina Oct. 24, 2015.
The RSP helps prepare recruits both physically and mentally for the training that they will undergo during Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. The patching ceremony releases the Soldiers from RSP and officially welcomes them to their new units.
Representatives attend the monthly ceremony and present Soldiers joining their brigade with the unit patch. Each representative then has the opportunity to speak with their new Soldiers and give them information about the new unit.
“The ceremony serves as a good transition from trainee to South Carolina National Guard Soldier,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Evans, RSP drill sergeant and speaker at this month’s patching ceremony. “It lets the Soldiers know that they are a part of the team.”
During this month’s ceremony, there were Soldiers who went to the 251st Area Support Medical Company, 59th Troop Command, 228th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, 263rd Army Air Missile Defense Company, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and 59th Aviation Troop Command, with a total of 43 Soldiers leaving RSP and joining their units.
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert H. Brickley, state command sergeant major, South Carolina National Guard, presented each Soldier graduating RSP a SCNG Recruiting Command coin in honor of their achievement. Brickley also awarded graduates who excelled in physical fitness or were distinguished graduates during BCT or AIT with a Command Sergeant Major Excellence Coin.
“It’s important for the Soldiers to be recognized in front of their peers and to know that they are a part of a great organization,” said Brickley.
During the ceremony, Brickley encouraged the graduating Soldiers, who learned their Military Occupational Specialty during AIT, to continue to learn when they get to their respective units.
“Our motto is ‘We Don’t Quit’ and these Soldiers have to be prepared to complete any mission,” said Brickley. “We never know when we might be needed; whether it’s to help a distant country or a neighbor down the street that has been affected by a devastating weather phenomena.”
Before the ceremony started in October 2014, each of the six RSP locations throughout the state conducted their own small ceremony. The current combined ceremony gives South Carolina National Guard leadership an opportunity to personally welcome the Soldiers.
“These Soldiers are our future and it’s important for them to see the bigger picture,” said Brickley.
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.24.2015 15:55 |
| Story ID: | 179833 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 391 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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