LOUISVILLE, Ky. –
Kentucky National Guard state leadership joined senior leaders from the Recruiting and Retention Battalion for the signing of their mission commitments yesterday at the Bowman Field Readiness Center, Sept 29.
Since 2020, every branch of the military has seen a decline in recruits, so having these commitments for Kentucky's recruiters is a big deal.
Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton, Kentucky’s adjutant general, praised the recruiters of the Kentucky National Guard.
“We don’t exist without your efforts,” Lamberton said. “I salute each one of you because I realize how pertinent being a recruiter is to our formations, to our functions and for moving ahead.”
Each company in the battalion set their needed numbers to fulfill necessary requirements for 2024 and are now committed to meeting those goals.
“This accountability extends from our TAG to our newest recruiters,” said Lt. Col. Jason Mendez, commander of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. “We acknowledge our mission and on behalf of every recruiter, contractor, staff member and leader within the recruiting and retention battalion, consider it done. We make mission!”
In an attempt to help build recruiting numbers, the Kentucky Enlistment Enhancement Program allows every Kentucky Guard Soldier or Airmen to be mini recruiter. Soldiers and Airmen can get paid $500 if they find people who are interested, have them talk to a recruiter and if they enlist, they get cut the $500 check.