Photo By Sgt. Tekoa Burns | Staff Sgt. David Papava with the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion spoke about the...... read more read more
Subscribe
JONESBORO, Ga. - Members from Forest Park’s 221st Military Intelligence Battalion from the Georgia Army National Guard visited Mt. Zion High School as part of Podium Week which is held the first two weeks in December leading up to the celebration of the National Guard Birthday on Dec. 13.
Soldiers spoke with students from the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps about the membership of being in the National Guard, as well as the scope of the job as a military intelligence Soldier.
“We gather intelligence for the battlefield,” said Sgt. 1st Class Henry Patterson, a human intelligence collector. “However, while that is our main job, we are also Guardsmen first. So that means we do our Army things, but then we still serve our community, are a part of our community and are activated when need be to help, rebuild and restore our community.”
Staff Sgt. Oneka Lyles, a chemical specialist, also spoke to the students about an opportunity to debunk some popular myths that someone may have about the Armed Forces.
“There is no such thing as a branch that goes in first, we all work together to get the job done. No branch is more important than the other, and no branch could accomplish the mission without cooperation from the others. The Army National Guard is the community branch of the Army. We are the ones that are from your community and respond to humanitarian needs in your community.”
Speakers also included Staff Sgt. David Papava, a human intelligence collector. Papava spoke about the Overseas Deployment Training missions available in the National Guard, as well as how those skills can be applicable in other aspects of life.
“A unique opportunity about the National Guard is that it gives you skills that you need to succeed not only in the National Guard, but in your civilian career as well. Everything the National Guard teaches you is valued and respected in the civilian world. The National Guard helps to make you an all around, successful citizen.”
Podium Week is an initiative that takes place the first two weeks of December, created to inform members of the community about the support and presence of their local National Guard units. Units continue to gather speakers at other local events in their community all over Georgia.
Story by Sgt. Jasmine Jacobs
124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Photos by Sgt. Tekoa Burns
124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2014 15:51 |
| Story ID: | 133271 |
| Location: | JONESBORO, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Georgia Guard visits local high school during Podium Week, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT