Recruiting in Fayetteville, NC requires a plan

Story by Shahron L. James
Raleigh Recruiting Battalion
Public Affairs Specialist

Recruiting in Fayetteville, N.C. may not be as easy as you think. 

      Fayetteville, NC houses one of the Army’s largest military post and has approximately 52,000 Soldiers stationed there.  It is a major hub of Army operation and deployment. However, there is an additional operation that happens in Fayetteville, N.C.…recruiting.  

      I had a chance to speak with the command team, Cpt. Markinna Baskin and 1st Sgt. Ben Dojaquez, about the opportunity to recruit in Fayetteville.  
  

      “It is definitely unique”, said Cpt. Baskin 

      Despite being in a high potential area, the Fayetteville Recruiting Company (3J1) does not attribute all of their success to being close to Ft. Bragg. 

      “We definitely commend our NCOs for being dedicated to the mission”, said the command team. "We have a solid plan that we don’t deviate from, the NCOs take that plan and run with it.” 

      When asked how easy it was to get qualified applicants the leaders stated that it is not as easy as some people think. They insist that the NCOs are more resourceful and are the foundation of their success, not Ft. Bragg.    

      “It is not like it used to be in the old days.  People are not lined up outside the stations beating on the door to get in the Army”, said 1^st Sgt. Dojaquez. 

     
      “It boils down to work ethic”, said Cpt. Baskin. “The recruiters are out till 1900 every week day, and our doors are open most Saturdays to the public; our team does a great job at holding one another accountable. This team has a winning spirit and have truly been the difference makers.”

       The command team appears confident in their plan stating that their mission as leaders is to assist their recruiters to be better NCOs and to execute at a high level of performance. They attribute a lot of their success to the NCOs under their command. 

      “We let them know they are NCOs first and recruiters second - good NCOs make good recruiters”, said 1^st Sgt. Dojaquez 

     

      “We make sure to take care of them. We help our recruiters with career progression. Outside of production, we are working with our chain of command to provide other opportunities for career progression such as specialized schools.  We ensure they are getting adequate time to take care of their personnel affairs and providing the right type of support to make them successful at their duty”, he said.

 
      “We ensure that the recruiters remember to make themselves better and to ensure they have a career after recruiting.”

      The command team said the NCOs make recruiting happen in Fayetteville.  
    
      “We don’t disagree that being near Ft. Bragg has its advantages, but without our team work and hard charging efforts to build relationships,to be in the schools, and to supporting each other we would not have been able to continue our success. It is truly a team effort.”

"We find ways to overcome.  We are a proactive team. This is why we win."

Eagle 6 Sends Farewell

Farewell from Colonel Stewart

Team Eagle,

     Serving with you all has been my extreme honor.

I value our mission and each member of our Team. I am proud of your accomplishments and look forward to

watching your continued success. I will forever be in awe of your dedicated

efforts in support of our Army and Nation. Moreover, your professionalism,

remarkable leadership, genuine acts of kindness and care for each other are

the best I've ever witnessed.

     Just yesterday our Soldiers in Chattanooga, TN endured a dangerous attack.

They responded remarkably to protect themselves and each other. Then SFC

Robert Dodge, the Center Leader, superlatively represented our Army during

several media engagements. Another example, of the extraordinarily dedicated

men and women in 2nd Brigade. 

     Whether in joyous times or in the face of numerous tragedies and crises,

over the last two years the members of this brigade and supporting

communities responded brilliantly and swiftly, and with remarkable

compassion and professionalism. Like a family. And so now, for better or

worse, Annie and I regard you all as part of our Army family - a strong bond

rarely broken by time or distance. Many thanks to you all. Farewell. Army

Strong!

Courtesy Photo: Department of the Army

Eagle 6 - Out. 

Colonel David F. Stewart

Commander, 2nd Recruiting Brigade

Huntsville, AL

Challenges only fueled Harlee Sanders' drive to reach goals (DENVER BN)

Pvt. Harlee Sanders at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station
(Courtesy Photo: Carie Canterbury of the  / Daily Record) 

See this Soldier's drive to enlist in the Army.

http://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/ci_28479210/challenges-only-fueled-harlee-sanders-drive-reach-goals

All about that bass--Army Soldier plays bass for outreach initiative

Sgt. Corrin Campbell

Story and Photo by
Shahron James
Raleigh Recruiting Battalion
Public Affairs Specialist

             Meet Sgt. Corrin Campbell.

            Sgt. Campbell is a 10-year, combat veteran, beginning her military career as an active duty bass player in 2005.   As a professional bass player with the Army, she is now part of an even larger creativity, the Army's Music Outreach initiative--a team of Soldiers that travel throughout the United States performing at high schools, music festivals, and professional sporting events in an effort to showcase the diversity of the U. S. Army. 

"I believe music is very potent.  It allows me to touch people I wouldn't ordinarily meet and to do something I love," she said.   The team's most recent performance was in Charlotte, N.C. at the Van's Warped Tour.

Thousands of high-school and college students, young adults and parents poured into Charlotte's PNC Music Pavilion to hear the rocking sounds of their favorite groups, Sgt. Campbell being one of the primary attractions.

     And students love her music.

     Campbell describes her music as 'organic rock' and uses it to attract the 16-24 demographic on the Van's Warped Tour. One major aspect of the music is that it is all original and written by her, which she licenses to the Army for free.

     Campbell says she paid for the studio time out of her own pocket, but that does not seem to phase the bass player.

     "It just made sense to give back to the Army," she said. 

     And the tour manager agrees. 

     "There is no greater opportunity for recruiting than the Van's Warped Tour," said program manager Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Staudacher. 

     "Right now we are at show 14 of 41 for the year and this is best tool to reach the 16-24 demographic," he said.

     "Normally we get about 250-300 interested and qualified people visiting the Army booth, with roughly 50 to 60 requesting to be contacted about joining the Army," he said, Campbell being a big help in obtaining those leads.

     Her band, The Election, includes Staff Sgt. Steve Ebert on guitar and Staff Sgt. Pete Greenberg on drums, displayed their musical and performance abilities, musicianship and commitment to their craft, and performed two songs from her current album, 'What You Wanted' and 'Not for Sale.'

     "My message is a collaboration of finding your way, crushing the naysayers and that if you keep your passion and pursue your dream, the world will make room for you," said Campbell.

     Not only is she a professional bass player for the Army, she is also a student at Full Sail University, majoring in digital marketing.   She plans to continue spreading her message of hope and inspiration once she leaves the military, but, for now, she is using her talents to support the Army's recruiting efforts.   

Female Enlists as 12-B

Haley Mallard, is sworn in as a 12-Bravo (Combat Engineer),

June 29th, by Capt. Samineo Meyers at Raleigh MEPS.

Story and photo by

Ron Toland

U.S. Army
Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

 

     Twelve Bravos are not just for male enlistees anymore.

     The Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 12-Bravo (Combat Engineer) is now open to female enlistees as of June 18.

     Haley Mallard, 17, from Vanceboro, N.C. (near New Bern) enlisted in the U.S. Army this week as a 12-B.

     "It's pretty cool," said Mallard. "It feels good to do something great for myself, for others and to serve my country."
    
     In recent news however, many women are not expected to apply for combat related MOS' now that the gender restrictions on such assignments is lifted.

     "Overall, we find that generally the propensity is low," said Gen. David Perkins, head of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command.

     But, Mallard has countered that disposition.

     Although she is a bit nervous—being a female in a traditionally primarily male dominated field—she believes the opportunity should be open to all genders, and it now is.

     "Women should be able to do the same jobs and have the same opportunities as males," she said.

     Mallard's grandparents also served and because of that, she was always interested in joining the military too.

     However, because of her age, she had to get parental consent, but her parents say this will be good for her and they are proud.

     "It'll broaden her horizons and she'll be more applicable," her father Willard, said. "She's a trailblazer in her field."

     Mother, Belinda, who was also a bit nervous about it all said her daughter will "make the best of it."

     "It's a good step for my future," said Mallard.

     She will ship to Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri,  Sept. 28^.

A Tale of Two Brothers

By Shahron James
Public Affairs Intern
Special to The U.S. Army Raleigh Recruiting Battalion


Brothers David and Nicholas Merle enlist in Raleigh, N.C., June 18.

U.S. Army photo by Ron Toland

 

Two brothers simultaneously joined the U.S. Army, June 18.

The brothers, David, 25 and Nicholas, 22, Merle enlisted at their local MEPS in Raleigh, N.C. Both young, energetic and determined recruits seek new adventures and challenges. They expressed enlisting has long been a desire, and now that desire has been fulfilled. 

“It gives me goose-bumps to think of what I will be doing and to have the opportunity to serve my country,” David elaborated saying that he has a strong sense of pride when he thinks of serving as an 18 X-Ray, Special Forces recruit.

A North Carolina State University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Forensic Science, David decided to enlist into a 5-year contract rather than entering as an officer candidate.

However, his brother has other plans.

Nicholas, who holds an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science and Medicine from Johnson Community College and is a licensed North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician, is entering basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. as a 68 Whiskey, Health Care Specialist and is equally eager as his brother.

 “I just couldn’t go through life wondering and then not knowing what it would have been like to be in the Army,” he said, using the rocking chair test as a reference.

“If I don’t do this, I will regret not doing it,” he said.

When asked what prompted them to make the decision to enter the military, both brothers replied, “We needed a challenge.  We needed to be around people who were like-minded as us,” they said. “We want to do more than what is expected.  Everybody around us just seemed to be letting life pass by and we didn’t want that to happen to us.”

They attribute their encouragement to join the military to their grandfather, Joseph Merle Sr., who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

“Our grandfather had six brothers who served in the military,” David stated.

They attribute their patriotism to wholesome upbringing and great morals which was taught to them by their parents, Arlene and Joseph Merle, Jr.

Both will enter with the rank of specialist. Upon completion of Basic and Special Forces training, David will automatically advance to the rank of Sergeant.

After Basic Training, Nicholas said he will be stationed in Alaska for AIT and David at Ft. Benning, but both brothers are committing to Airborne Training.

U.S. Army Raleigh Recruiting Battalion Attends 2014 NHRA, Sept. 13, in Concord, N.C.

The U.S. Army Raleigh Recruiting Battalion Attended the 2014 NHRA, at the 7th Annual Pep Boys Carolina Nationals, held at the zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.

For more on the event go to:

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/142259/soldier-hero-speaks-future-soldiers-north-carolina-nhra-event

 

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/360858/soldier-hero-speaks-future-soldiers-during-nhra-event