Photo By Staff Sgt. Avery Cunningham | First Lt. Nathan C. Dubie, a UH-72 Lakota helicopter pilot with Detachment 1, Delta...... read more read more
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"The Recruiting and Retention Battalion Leads to Accession Program rewards the efforts of our Soldiers with the intent to support the Adjutant General's focus on drawing more recruits into the Vermont Army National Guard," said 1st Sgt. Jerry Wolfenbarger, the Recruiting and Retention Battalion Senior Operations non-commissioned officer
Soldiers are given a certificate thanking them and a coffee cup with their unit logo for their first lead. The second lead gets Soldiers an Under Armour hooded sweatshirt and a helicopter ride. If the Soldiers manage a third lead they are presented with a Vermont Army National Guard engraved knife. After the fourth lead Soldiers are given a recruiting ribbon, which is worth five points for promotion.
Sgt. Hillary Ward, assigned to Detachment 1, Military Police Company, 86th Special Troops Battalion, and Spc. Josh Kuit, with Detachment 1, 131st Engineer Company, had the chance to ride on a UH-72 Lakota helicopter over Vermont, June 16, for getting two leads as part of the Leads to Accession program.
"Soldiers who have had two leads to accession are eligible for and will receive a helicopter ride," said Wolfenbarger. "The program has been around for years, but we added in the aviation piece because we have a top-notch unit like aviation that has these assets. We thought about how many young Soldiers have never been in a helicopter before, so why not make that attainable."
The experience is a rare and special one for the Soldiers, who praised it.
"The overall experience of flying was amazing, the view was breathtaking, you can see for miles and miles around, get to see mountains, houses, and we flew over my house," said Kuit.
"It was way more than I expected, definitely something I will remember forever," said Ward. "It was definitely more than I thought the ride would be, and on the way back we had the door open; it was a once in a lifetime experience."
The Soldiers shared their views and their experiences with getting the leads to accession that earned them the privilege of a helicopter flight.
"It's all of our jobs to share our knowledge about the military," said Ward. "As I get older, I look at the younger Soldiers in my unit and I encourage them to talk with their friends and talk with people they know and network because it's all of our jobs to be a recruiter."
The people who make up its ranks define the Guard, and Soldiers have a say in that through recruiting others.
When Kuit first joined the unit he didn't know anyone, and wanted to have someone there he knew, so he asked one of his buddies and then another, said Kuit. "After that it became more interesting to me because I found something I can do, and I'm good at it."
However, getting people to join is more involved than just asking. Ward demonstrated how the Guard can have a positive impact outside in their communities, this coupled with her friendly personality has helped her lead people to making an informed choice.
"I'm a positive role model for my community and people I know have come to me asking questions," said Ward. "Being approachable has made people comfortable talking to me about joining the Guard and any questions they've had."
Kuit also educates his community by showing them what the Guard can do for them and that there is a place for them there no matter what piques their interest.
By working with them and finding out who they are, finding those common interests, what struggles they face, and what jobs appeal to them Kuit shows how the Guard can benefit them and a way for them to join doing what they love, said Kuit. If someone runs tractors at home and is interested in operating heavy machinery, the Guard has heavy equipment operators that do that.
Soldiers showcase the Guard and present what it offers, but it's also their priority to recruit to maintain a strong and exceptional force.
"It's important to keep our strength, that’s our number one priority, and what better influence can you have than knowing the people you're bringing up with you," said Ward. "You want a good person at your side and if you can influence that, that's huge."
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.12.2016 08:06 |
| Story ID: | 203683 |
| Location: | VERMONT, US |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A Helicopter Ride for Leads that Become Accessions, by SSG Avery Cunningham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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