Recruiting and Retention Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Named

Photo By Sgt. Jill Fischer | Sgt. Derek Brandenburg of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, North Dakota Army National Guard is pictured in the photo.  

BISMARCK, ND, UNITED STATES

10.15.2010

Story by Sgt. Jill Fischer 

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

BISMARCK, N.D. - Sgt. Derek Brandenburg has been named the North Dakota National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year based on his outstanding achievements over the past year.

The prestigious RRNCO of the Year award, formerly known as "Chief's 54" award, is presented every year to each state National Guard's top recruiter.
The award is based on the three tenants of strength maintenance: recruiting, retention and attrition management.

Brandenburg's accomplished his yearly mission goal (18 enlistments between Oct. 2009 - Sept. 2010) by early June. He was credited with 26 enlistments and two inter-state transfers (transfers from other states' National Guard units), totaling 28 enlistments - 10 over his mission.

He works at the Fargo, N.D., storefront recruiting office with duties in the Fargo and Moorhead, Minn., area; West Fargo High School and North Dakota State University, which is shared with his teammates. He also supports three National Guard units in Fargo with recruiting and retention needs.

Throughout the year, he never fell behind in production and encouraged his teammates to exceed their missions. This is the first year, in over 20, that the RRNCO of the Year comes from Fargo.

"I had such a successful year because I work with some of the best recruiters in the nation," stated Brandenburg. "They mentored and assisted me in everyday activities. Without their support, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"I enjoy doing what I do, because I know these new recruits are going to make outstanding soldiers for the North Dakota Army National Guard," he added. "They are mentored by some great leaders."

As part of being selected as the state's top recruiter, Brandenburg represented North Dakota in Las Vegas, Nev., at the regional RRNCO of the Year competition, Oct. 4-10, 2010. He competed against other states in the Recruiting and Retention Area Command region. The region includes seven other states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.

"We are very proud of Sergeant Brandenburg's effort to become the best of the best in 2010," said Command Sgt. Maj. Bradley Heim, North Dakota's Recruiting and Retention Battalion's command sergeant major. "His professionalism and dedication to duty are traits that enabled him to earn the title of RRNCO of the Year for North Dakota. He also represented our state with distinction at the regional competition."

An official award ceremony will be held in early December in Orlando, Fla. Brandenburg will be accompanied by Heim, along with Lt. Col. Daryl Roerick, Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander.

Brandenburg resides in Fargo with his wife Nicole Ann. They have a 6-month-old daughter and he has a 6-year-old son.

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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 3,500 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, about 75 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas while more than 4,000 remain in the state for emergency response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that's more than four times the national average.

• Date Taken: 10.15.2010
• Date Posted: 10.15.2010 15:35
• Story ID: 58209
• Location: BISMARCK, ND, US