INDIANAPOLIS -- The Army Indiana National Guard recruiting and retention battalion changed leaders during a ceremony Saturday in Lawrence.
Lt. Col. John Pitt took the reins of the battalion, headquartered in Indianapolis, from Lt. Col. J. Todd Norris, who had led Indiana Army National Guard recruiters since 2015.
“As the adjutant general has continually emphasized that recruiting and retention is our number one priority, I will do my absolute best to ensure we maximize strength improvement, which will positively affect the organizational readiness of our formations,” said Pitt.
The recruiting and retention battalion stands ready with more than 200 soldiers in nearly 60 locations throughout the state from Evansville to Angola and from Gary to Madison.
Norris will move on to become the personnel officer for the 38th Infantry Division.
“We look forward to Lt. Col. Pitt taking the helm of the recruiting battalion and expanding on the foundation of success established by Lt. Col. Norris. The guidance and leadership of these two experienced officers has enabled us to remain at the tip of the spear among other states in the nation, ensuring we are strong and ready to assist wherever and whenever needed – whether it’s assisting fellow Hoosiers here at home or deploying overseas,” said Brig. Gen. Ronald A. Westfall, the director of the joint staff for the Indiana National Guard and the reviewing officer at the ceremony.
The Indiana National Guard comprises more than 11,000 citizen-soldiers making it the fourth largest Army National Guard in the nation, and the battalion's recruiters increased the force by 245 soldiers in fiscal year 2017.
“The true strength of our organization comes from the soldiers and airmen that make up the Indiana National Guard, and it’s this battalion that provides the lifeblood of that strength,” said Westfall.
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Date Taken: | 02.10.2018 |
Date Posted: | 02.16.2018 16:55 |
Story ID: | 266380 |
Location: | INDIANAPOLIS , INDIANA, US |
Web Views: | 366 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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