By Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs, with contributions by Kentucky State Police Public Affairs
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The Kentucky State Police Academy presented diplomas to 45 new troopers at ceremonies held in Frankfort on Oct. 29. Among the new Troopers were three Kentucky Guardsmen. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky State Police)
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky State Police Academy presented diplomas to 45 new troopers at ceremonies held in Frankfort, Oct.29. Their addition to the force brings the agency's strength to a total of 880 troopers serving the citizens of the Commonwealth.
Of those 45 new troopers three are all too familiar with wearing a common uniform and standing for something bigger than themselves. They are also Kentucky National Guardsmen.
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Staff Sgt. Jordan Carter with the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy Oct. 29, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky State Police)
Staff Sgt. Jordan Carter with the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, 1st Lt. Jacobe Farmer with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry and Sgt. Michael Jacobs from the 2123rd Transportation Company each accepted a new role and responsibility to the commonwealth.
"The National Guard had taught me numerous skills and values that helped me as a soldier," said Jacobs. "However, I wanted a new challenge with similar interests that would help me adapt to a civilian career that I would enjoy."
"I always wanted to be a Trooper. I figured that joining the Guard would help me obtain that goal," said Carter. "Plus I like helping people so it provided a great opportunity."
The new troopers are part of the agency's 93rd cadet class. They reported for duty on May 24, 2015 in a class that consisted of 70 cadets.
The training included more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field study in subjects such as constitutional law, juvenile and traffic law, use of force, weapons training, defensive tactics, first aid, high speed vehicle pursuit, criminal investigation, computer literacy, hostage negotiations, evidence collection, radio procedures, search and seizure, crash investigation, drug identification, traffic control, crowd control, armed robbery response, land navigation, electronic crimes, sex crimes, hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats and hazardous materials.
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1st Lt. Jacobe Farmer with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy Oct. 29, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky State Police)
Each Guardsman expressed a true desire to help others, the same thought that inspired them to join the military.
All three also are grateful for the training they have received in the Guard, which helped them through the Kentucky State Police Academy.
"Joining the guard prepared me in numerous ways and instilled in me the seven Army values which should be something that everyone lives by," said Carter. "Being a Trooper involves so much and the seven Army values aren't just "valued" by the Army. They are incorporated in the daily life of a Trooper as well."
"Multi-tasking and attention to detail go hand and hand with what I have picked up from being in the Guard and my military training towards my career field in law enforcement," said Farmer. "As a Trooper I will deal with a variety of events and at times they will be one after another and/or all together and for me to be able to handle many tasks at once while not leaving out important details is essential in my field."
Lt. Col. L. Allen Joiner, commander of the 1/623rd said the unit is proud of Carter and their decisions of selfless service in multiple uniforms, a benefit he has seen first hand.
"Serving both on the State Police force and in the Kentucky National Guard, these individuals are able to acquire knowledge and experience that saves lives during Kentucky natural disasters and emergencies when these organizations are working side by side," said Joiner. "An example is during the 2009 ice storm, one of our Soldiers, who was also a State Police officer was able to use his civilian position resources to provide current road conditions to our military units across Western Kentucky."
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Sgt. Michael Jacobs from the 2123rd Transportation Company graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy Oct. 29, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky State Police)
Carter will be assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green and Jacobs Post 16 in Henderson. Farmer joins Post 4 in Elizabethtown alongside Indiana National Guardsman Brad Holloman.
"Joining the KSP is not for the weak-hearted or weak-minded and it takes a special person to be a Kentucky State Trooper," said Farmer "The training academy to many people would be the most physically enduring thing they have done, but in the end you are a part of the KSP family and the honor, respect, and tradition that it has and upholds."
"Being a Trooper will benefit my military career in regards to maintaining discipline, staying vigilant, and performing at a higher standard," said Jacobs. "I look forward to learning in both roles as a Soldier and Trooper to be the best I can be for the Commonwealth of Kentucky."