Courtesy Photo | Capt. Tonya McCurdy (left), 637th Chemical Company commander and Sgt. Justin Ward...... read more read more
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By Spc. Timothy Littleton
Ohio National Guard
WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio - The Ohio Army National Guard reached another Guard Recruiting Assistance Program milestone July 11 thanks to Pfc. Jason Jones, a recruiter assistant and member of the 637th Chemical Company.
Jones helped enlist Pvt. Micah Worrell, Ohio's 2,500th enlistment credited to the G-RAP program. Jones' most recent enlistee pushed total earnings from Ohio's RAs to more than $5 million. To date, Jones has helped enlist three recruits and earned $6,000 for his efforts.
Brig. Gen. Matthew L. Kambic, Ohio's assistant adjutant general for Army, credited the G-RAP program as a critical element in the organization's strength maintenance success in fiscal year 2008.
"Strength maintenance is our number one priority. With our current strength at 10,910, we have had unprecedented success this year and I want to continue he momentum," he said. "Clearly, one of he keys to our success has been the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program. This program capitalizes on the fact that unit leads tend to convert into enlistments at a much quicker rate than
traditional leads, and in Ohio, it works."
Jones attributes his success to his enthusiasm for the Guard.
"I like to talk with potential recruits about the great benefits the Guard has to offer compared to civilian jobs," he said. "I talk to everyone about the Guard and how the military experience can really help on their resumes."
Launched in 2005, the G-RAP offers RAs the opportunity to earn income by identifying well-qualified men and women for service in the Army National Guard. RAs receive up to $2,000 for each new recruit who enlists and reports to basic training, or each prior service member enlisting.
Ohio's RAs are responsible for helping 2,500 recruits join the Ohio National Guard since the program's inception. Currently, Ohio ranks second nationally with nearly 5,000 active RAs enrolled in the G-RAP program.
Jones jumped on board as an RA after enlisting in March 2007, and said the concept of the G-RAP program itself helps make it easy to help build the Guard's strength numbers.
The G-RAP program is great, it helps out recruiters who in turn help out the Ohio Army National Guard-it's the best of both worlds," he said.
Worrell's recruiter, Sgt. Justin Ward, agreed with Jones' opinion of the G-RAP.
"It gives Soldiers a great opportunity to talk to people about the Ohio Army National Guard. Some of my recruits enlist as a result of the G-RAP program, or referrals from privates I previously enlisted," Ward said.
Worrell said having a conversation with Jones was a great way to explore the enlistment options available in the Guard and what life is like as a Soldier before spending time with a recruiter.
"He really did a great job answering a lot of my questions about the Guard and the benefits that the Guard offers too," Worrell added.
Worrell enlisted into the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 371st Sustainment Brigade in July 2008. He will depart in November for basic and advanced individual training as a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic. He said he is excited to be in the Guard and can't wait to take advantage of the
benefits.
As for Jones' future G-RAP efforts, he's already working to get two more people he knows signed up as Guardmembers. He suggested all Soldiers get involved and offered a tip to other RAs.
"My advice is simple," he said. "Be aggressive and be confident; the Guard's benefits will sell themselves."
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.08.2008 16:27 |
| Story ID: | 22285 |
| Location: | WEST CARROLLTON, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 199 |
| Downloads: | 107 |
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