Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan | North Carolina National Guard recruiting leaders, Army Lt. Col. B. "Clay" Jackson (far...... read more read more
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For the first time in North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) history its Recruiting and Retention Battalion (RRB) Soldiers swept first place honors at National Guard Strength Maintenance Advisory Group (SMAG) - Region 3 competition held in Savannah, Georgia, Nov. 16 – 17, 2016.
Army Staff Sgt. Johnathon Bates earned the “Directors 54” title as the best recruiter and Army Master Sgt. James Williams earned the “Expert 7” title as the best noncommissioned officer beating professionals representing 10 states and territories in the southeast.
“It is the highest I have ever achieved,” said Bates.
Bates is the on campus recruiter at East Carolina University in Greenville and signed 23 new Soldiers, 29% above his RRB mission goal, into the NCNG in fiscal year 2016 (FY16). Williams leads a team of Soldiers stationed in High Point and serving from Chapel Hill to Concord that was responsible for 129 new recruits in FY16. Their state mission success gave them the chance to compete at the regional competition.
“They had the best production in the state by far,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Pisano, NCNG RRB Command Sergeant Major.
The team at SMAG - Region 3 after a 2-day competition evaluating leadership, recruiting knowledge, education, uniform appearance and physical fitness and an appearance before a board of sergeants major were judged best among their peers.
The recruiters shared more than first place they adapted to the changing nature of recruiting tech savvy millennials into the NCNG. The personal touch still important but the ability to reach out to recruits in ways that best match their needs and skills was the key to success.
“I am not much older than my recruits and the approach is more indirect with electronic communication, texts and emails,” said Bates.
Bates used social media to form a community with the recruits that makes finding the next NCNG Soldier easier.
“Most of my recruits are referrals from someone I already put into the Guard,” said Bates.
Williams, a senior leader in the NCNG’s recruiting, made sure he and his team kept up with the challenging nature of a new generation.
“I grew up before computers and I had to learn how the recruits think and communicate today,” said Williams.
The technology changes but the desire to serve remained the same since the founding of the country.
“They (millennials) may be socially different from your grandfather who served but grew up post 9-11 with a patriotic spirit,” said Bates.
William’s team built on this spirit when trying to convince a civilian to join an operational force in time of war.
“We try to explain the tradition, selfless service and duty when in the uniform,” said Williams.
Bates will represent the region at the national competition scheduled for early 2017.
“It is a great honor for the battalion and state and sends a message to the rest of the nation of how much of a solid and professional well-rounded force we are,” said Pisano.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.23.2016 17:09 |
| Story ID: | 215771 |
| Location: | SAVANNA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 426 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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