Photo By Angela Fry | Louisiana Army National Guardsman 2nd Lt. Jason Rhynard, shift supervisor with the...... read more read more
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MINDEN, La. - The Louisiana National Guard served as host for the eighth annual Camp Minden Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Field Day in Minden, La., April 8-9.
More than 1,000 high school students from Caddo, Desoto, Bossier, Webster and Red River Parishes along with cadets from LANG's Youth Challenge Program attended the two-day event that featured various educational and career benefits provided by the Guard.
"Kids walked away with the knowledge of what the National Guard has to offer," said Sgt 1st Class Matthew T. Little, career counselor for the 1083rd Transportation Company in Minden, La. "They learned about the College First Program, the Tuition Assistance Program and the Guard's insurance and retirement benefits, just to name a few. They were also informed about the tuition exemption, and since the Guard is state operated, other components do not have that," he added.
"The Guard has the Close Combat Tactical Training simulator which allowed the students to see a simulated close combat scenario, which provides realistic combat training for Soldiers," the Pineville, La., resident explained. "Most students and cadets are not familiar with what the Guard has to offer at Camp Minden."
Guard units who participated in the event included: the 527th Engineer Battalion in Ruston, La.; the 122nd Air Support Operations Squadron and the 244th Aviation Battalion in Pineville, La.; the 165th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Bossier City, La.; the 199th Leadership Regiment in Ball, La.; and the 62nd Civil Support Team in Carville, La.
Static displays by the units included: heavy equipment transport trucks, humvees, the family of medium tactical vehicles, dump trucks, the D-7 bulldozer, a grader, a front-loader, and communications, survey and computer equipment.
Webster Parish, which does not currently have an active JROTC program, brought students from Minden and Sarepta to participate in the two-day festivities.
"In addition to this Field Day, Minden High School sends its football team to use our Ropes Course," Little added. "This course assists in building teamwork and confidence in Soldiers and students who use it."
The main attraction was the National Guard Indy Car with product giveaways and demonstrations by the Indy Car team. In addition, rock wall and paintball simulation ranges were provided to give the cadets more options for enjoyment.
"This event is about community awareness," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael "Scott" Davis, a recruiting and retention non-commissioned officer from Bossier City, La. "It's about what the LANG has to offer and how the Guard supports and assists communities during emergencies, construction of ballparks and similar construction projects."
"These are tomorrow's citizens who will vote and make critical decisions," Davis added. "We want them to have a positive outlook on the Louisiana Army National Guard and what it can do for both the Soldiers and the communities."
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.16.2009 11:20 |
| Story ID: | 32462 |
| Location: | MINDEN, US |
| Web Views: | 556 |
| Downloads: | 312 |
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