Photo By Master Sgt. Adam Raynor | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Arnold, South Carolina National Guard Recruiting and...... read more read more
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COLUMBIA, S.C. - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Arnold, South Carolina National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, was recognized as the Chief 54 for South Carolina, the highest honor in Recruiting and Retention, during a ceremony held in Columbia, South Carolina, April 28, 2021.
Arnold recruits within Summerville, South Carolina, which has an estimated population of 51,000 residents as of 2018.
He brings a unique set of skills to the recruiting battalion in South Carolina. He has an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and a Bachelor of Arts in Emergency Management. He is responsible for the South Carolina Army National Guard accessions from Summerville High School and is focused on recruiting from his target market. Due to his knowledge and experience within recruiting he often times conducts training during his team's meetings on waivers and suitability, and processing.
Arnold is deeply embedded within Summerville High School and assists in all areas of military influence. He has established relationships with numerous staff to include; guidance counselors, athletic coaches and teachers who allow him to speak with their classes and provide him with leads when students ask about military service. He has volunteered to grade multiple Junior ROTC events for the Navy Junior ROTC department at Summerville High School. He has enlisted a total of 25 Soldiers from Summerville High School over the last three recruiting years. He builds trust and shows compassion with all those he comes into contact with and develops a professional relationship. He supports the athletic teams, Navy Junior ROTC, the band program and Honors Society at his high school, as well.
While exceeding his mission, Arnold also focuses on retention for Company A, 1-118th Infantry Battalion. Each month he conducts briefs, counsels Soldiers on the benefits of staying in the National Guard, and develops relationships with Soldiers at the unit to help instill trust.
Arnold also establishes and continues to assist and guide his Soldiers he has enlisted throughout the last four years. His primary goal is to take care of the Soldier, regardless if they are already handed off to their unit. His Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) Soldiers have an extremely high ship rate and are confident in their abilities and knowledge when they ship to training thanks to his guidance and leadership. He also maintains an open line of communication between himself and his RSP Soldiers.
Always being open to the daily changes that recruiting and retention present, Arnold is eager to face the challenge of new mission requirements. One challenge he faced this year was the effects of COVID-19 starting in March and continuing through the end of the fiscal year. His production displayed during that time frame showed that he was able to overcome the challenges presented before him in a professional manner in order to accomplish and exceed his mission. He enlisted 14 Soldiers between March 2020 and the end of September 2020.
Arnold has been recruiting for four years. He has completed Advanced Leaders Course and is awaiting the ability to enroll in SLC. He holds four Military Occupational Specialties that include; combat engineer, interior electrician, senior construction supervisor, and recruiting and retention non-commissioned officer.
Arnold's hard work, determination and unwillingness to fail, contributed to him achieving 169 percent of his assigned mission for his recruiting year within Summerville, South Carolina.
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2021 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 395146 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 675 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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