ND National Guard Recruiting

Even after six years of deployments, North Dakotan's are still wanting to serve our county and st...  More »

Even after six years of deployments, North Dakotan's are still wanting to serve our county and state. The North Dakota National Guard says they've had a very successful year in recruiting. Donnell Preskey has more on why residents are signing up to be soldiers... Becoming a soldier is a calling... In the last year 450 North Dakotan's have joined the National Guard. There's a commitment and there's a reality you could be deployed. Still recruitment in the state is strong... (Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk/ ND National Guard) That is a credit to the people of ND, the strong sense or patriotic duty nd's have, credit to yong men and women in uniform in ND what do day in and day out to ensure we have a strong quality force. Sprynczynatyk says in the last year North Dakota soldiers have received eleven million dollars in benefits. That's through enlisting, extending their service and tuition assistance. One million dollars has gone to soldiers who've recruited someone they know to join the guard. It's a new program. North Dakota was one of the first states to try it out now all states are using the reward system. A guard member is paid two thousand dollars for recruiting and enlisting a soldier. (Sprynczynatyk) If you're in uniform and you have a friend that would be a good soldier and that would enhance the strength of the unit, you want that to happen. Because if you mobilized and deployed you want to make sure the soldiers around you can be trusted and relied upon. (Donnell) This van is like a billboard on wheels for the Guard. They can take it to events and schools all around the state to reach even more possible recruits. North Dakota is also number one in the nation for retaining soldiers. Nationwide about 18 percent of guardsmen and women drop out. In North Dakota, there's about a 15 percent turnover. (Sprynczynatyk) Prior to war on terrorism we were around 12% mark, even with requirement of ND National guard today, the increase in loss isn't significant to what our men and women are required of today. Even three fourths of the soldiers who can leave the guard because their contract is up decide to stay. Spryncynatyk says it's because of their patriotism and the incentives the guard offers. In Bismarck, Donnell Preskey, KX News. One Grand Forks soldier has earned ten thousand dollars for enlisting six soldiers. The National Guard has many positions they are recruiting for. For more information on the North Dakota National Guard & it's incentive programs go to www.ndguard.com  « Less