Capt. Tonya McCurdy
(left), 637th Chemical Company commander and Sgt. Justin Ward
(right), a recruiter with the Ohio Army National Guard’s Company
G, Recruiting and Retention Battalion (right), present Pfc.
Jason Jones (second from left), also with the 637th, a $2,000
check, earned through the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program
(G-RAP). Also pictured is Jones’ recruit, Pvt. Micah Worrell, a
new enlistment into the 371st Sustainment Brigade’s Headquarters
and Headquarters Company. Jones’ referral and subsequent
enlistment of Worrell pushed Ohio’s G-RAP earnings to $5 million
since the program’s inception in 2005. |
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By Spc. Timothy Littleton
Unit Public Affairs Representative
Company G, Recruit Sustainment Program, Recruiting and Retention
Battalion
WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio—The Ohio Army National Guard reached
another Guard Recruiting Assistance Program milestone July 11
thanks to Pfc. Jason Jones, a recruiter assistant and member of
the 637th Chemical Company.
Jones helped enlist Pvt. Micah Worrell, Ohio’s 2,500th
enlistment credited to the G-RAP program. Jones’ most recent
enlistee pushed total earnings from Ohio’s RAs to more than $5
million. To date, Jones has helped enlist three recruits and
earned $6,000 for his efforts.
Brig. Gen. Matthew L. Kambic, Ohio’s assistant adjutant general
for Army, credited the G-RAP program as a critical element in
the organization’s strength maintenance success in fiscal year
2008.
“Strength maintenance is our number one priority. With our
current strength at 10,910, we have had unprecedented success
this year and I want to continue the momentum,” he said.
“Clearly, one of the keys to our success has been the Guard
Recruiting Assistance Program. This program capitalizes on the
fact that unit leads tend to convert into enlistments at a much
quicker rate than traditional leads, and in Ohio, it works.”
Jones attributes his success to his enthusiasm for the Guard.
“I like to talk with potential recruits about the great benefits
the Guard has to offer compared to civilian jobs,” he said. “I
talk to everyone about the Guard and how the military experience
can really help on their resumes.”
Launched in 2005, the G-RAP offers RAs the opportunity to earn
income by identifying well-qualified men and women for service
in the Army National Guard. RAs receive up to $2,000 for each
new recruit who enlists and reports to basic training, or each
prior service member enlisting.
Ohio’s RAs are responsible for helping 2,500 recruits join the
Ohio National Guard since the program’s inception. Currently,
Ohio ranks second nationally with nearly 5,000 active RAs
enrolled in the G-RAP program.
Jones jumped on board as an RA after enlisting in March 2007,
and said the concept of the G-RAP program itself helps make it
easy to help build the Guard’s strength numbers.
The G-RAP program is great, it helps out recruiters who in turn
help out the Ohio Army National Guard—it’s the best of both
worlds,” he said.
Worrell’s recruiter, Sgt. Justin Ward, agreed with Jones’
opinion of the G-RAP.
“It gives Soldiers a great opportunity to talk to people about
the Ohio Army National Guard. Some of my recruits enlist as a
result of the G-RAP program, or referrals from privates I
previously enlisted,” Ward said.
Worrell said having a conversation with Jones was a great way to
explore the enlistment options available in the Guard and what
life is like as a Soldier before spending time with a recruiter.
“He really did a great job answering a lot of my questions about
the Guard and the benefits that the Guard offers too,” Worrell
added.
Worrell enlisted into the Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
371st Sustainment Brigade in July 2008. He will depart in
November for basic and advanced individual training as a
light-wheeled vehicle mechanic. He said he is excited to be in
the Guard and can’t wait to take advantage of the benefits.
As for Jones’ future G-RAP efforts, he’s already working to get
two more people he knows signed up as Guardmembers. He suggested
all Soldiers get involved and offered a tip to other RAs.
“My advice is simple,” he said. “Be aggressive and be confident;
the Guard’s benefits will sell themselves.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: The Ohio National Guard Public
Affairs Office at 614-336-7000 or Diane Farrow at 614-376-5005.
Please visit our public website for more information about the
Ohio National Guard at www.ohionationalguard.com
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