USAREC CG visits Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow (left), Commanding General, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, talks with leaders and NCOs at the Raleigh Recruiting Command Headquarters, Feb. 3.

Story and photo by

Ronald. H. Toland Jr.

     Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Snow, Commanding General, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, visited the Raleigh Recruiting Battalion Headquarters and surrounding footprint, February 2nd and 3rd.

     During his visit, he met with the command team, and Soldiers and staff heads, discussing recruiting operations and gauging the battalion's overall Army strategic recruiting mission, recruiters as role models, the battalion's "Operation Enduring Hope," and his expectations for recruiting goals and recruiters.

     Snow's ideal concept is for recruiters to not be salespersons, rather community investors.

"'Today's recruiters face a seemingly daunting task,'" Snow said in an interview Tuesday with the Fayetteville Observer. "'Only about three in 10 American youth are eligible to join the Army. The rest are disqualified by academics, physical abilities or moral reasons, such as criminal records.'"

     And the Raleigh Battalion Commander underlined that sentiment saying,  "We offer the Army trans-formative experience," said Lt. Col. Ted Hudson.

     During his brief visit, Maj. Gen. Snow also visited recruiting centers in Hope Mills and Lumberton, N.C.

Amy reservist plans to be an officer

Story and photo
by Ron Toland
Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

     Austin Kasper, 17, from Leland (Wilmington), N.C. enlisted in the Army Reserves, Jan 27th, as a Combat Engineer, but plans to be a career officer.
     "I plan to be a full-time student, majoring in business, using my G.I. Bill," he said.
     "Once I get my bachelors, I will apply for OCS and then be a career officer," he said.
     Kasper will serve on a six-year contract.
     "I'm excited; it is the right thing to do--serving my country, protecting the things and people I love," he said.
     Kasper ships to Basic Training, in Aug., after graduating from high school.

Female Chaplian's Assistant joins regular Army ranks

Story and photo
by Ron Toland
Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

     Kristen Long, 20, from Timber Lake, N.C., near Durham, joined the Army today as a Chaplain's Assistant on a 4-year contract.
     "I have family in the service and it is a personal choice to improve myself and my quality of life," she said.
     She plans to be a career Soldier and use her G.I. Bill to go into medicine as a Nursing Assistant.
     "I want to serve my country and serve others in need. I'm really excited and motivated since I've been waiting for so long," she said. "I'm a bit nervous to leave my family, but it is OK," she said.

     Long ships out March 1.

Brother and Sister Join the Army ranks

Story and photo
by Ron Toland

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

     Siblings Sarah and Donovan McKenzie joined the Army ranks today, Jan. 20, 2016, together.

     Sarah, a 25U--Signal Support Systems Specialist and her brother, Donovan, an 11X--Infantry, feel good about their decisions.
     "We want to make our family proud since we have family, our father, in the service," they said.

     Although they feel they are upholding family traditions, they know this is a "life changing experience" and are ready for the challenge.
     They both have the GI Bill and plan to use it.
     "I want to be a teacher," said Sarah.
     "I want to do something in law enforcement," said Donovan.
     Both will graduate high school this summer and will ship off to basic training in August.



    

Army asset visits Sanford

Story and photo
by Ron Toland

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

     Last Thursday, Jan 14, the Interactive Semi visited Central Carolina Community College.
     A hand full of college students came out to explore the asset and hear about career options in the Army.

Sgt. 1st Class Ray Schilz (l) discusses Army Career options with students from CCC as
Sgt. 1st Class Karen Hudson, ASB presenter, looks on.

CCC students try out the target game inside the IS1.

CCC students try out the target game inside the IS1.

Staff Sgt. Ross Downey discusses Army career options with a student from CCC.

Army Reserves gets another enlisted

Simmons

Story and photo
by Ron Toland

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

     Jalia Simmons swore in today to the Army Reserves as a 92-Alpha, an Automated Logistical Specailist.
     "I want to live on the legend of my family," she said.
     Her grandfather, aunt and uncle all served and she wants to follow in their footsteps.
     "Giving back to the community and state, challenging myself and the benefits are important," she said.
     "I'm always happy and want to make the best of what is given to me," she said.
     Simmons will ship to basic training June 7th.

Female twins join the Army

Twins Erica (r) and Cierra (l) Bifffle, 17, joined the Army Wednesday, Jan. 6.

Story and photo
by Ron Toland

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

     Twins Erica and Cierra Bifffle, 17, joined the Army Wednesday, Jan. 6, as IT specialists.
     They both are a bit nervous about basic training, they said, but also both feel good about joining the Army.
     Their dad, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Biffle, swore them in on Wednesday at the Raleigh MEPS.