North Dakota recruiters finish strong in regional competition

Courtesy Photo | Recruiting and retention specialists from the North Dakota Army National Guard and nearby states take part in team-building activities during the annual Lewis & Clark Challenge Aug. 24, in Montana. Each year, states from the region compete to see who has the most success during the typically slower summer months. North Dakota placed second this year, coming in a half point behind winner South Dakota.  

FARGO, ND, UNITED STATES

08.24.2011

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

FARGO, N.D. - The success of North Dakota Army National Guard recruiters and the commitment to service by young people in the state was again highlighted during the annual Lewis & Clark Challenge. The competition matches North Dakota’s Recruiting and Retention team with their peers from Montana, Alaska, Idaho, South Dakota, Washington, Oregon and Wyoming to see who fares best during the typically slower summer recruiting months.

After having won the competition six times in the past decade and 10 times since 1980, North Dakota finished in second place this year, coming in a mere half point behind South Dakota.

“The dedication to duty shown by these North Dakota Guardsmen is exemplary,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “To maintain such a high level of success in the midst of one of the biggest natural disaster responses in the state shows the commitment and professionalism that’s become characteristic of the Recruiting and Retention Command.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Brad Heim, North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention’s senior enlisted leader, was in Montana along with members of his team last week to participate in the Lewis & Clark Challenge event, which included team building activities, training and motivational speakers.

“Once again, North Dakota came through with a very strong finish,” Heim said. “These men and women put in long hours to ensure North Dakota continues to have a quality selection of recruits willing to serve their communities, state and nation in uniform.”

States earn points in the Lewis & Clark Challenge based on how many recruits join the National Guard between May 1 and July 31, as well as for how many ship to training during that time. North Dakota had 71 new accessions and a 94 percent ship rate for training during those three months. In all, the North Dakota Army National Guard’s strength continues to be high and recruiting remains strong. The North Dakota Army National Guard’s strength for enlisted members as of last week exceeds the goal for this part of the year by nearly 40 Soldiers.

More than 65 percent of the total North Dakota National Guard force has joined since the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the remaining members have all re-enlisted since that time, showing that the entire force has chosen to serve, or continue to serve, during a time of war. North Dakota also continues to out-pace other states in the percentage of citizens who choose to serve. Nationally, nearly 12 of every 10,000 citizens serve in the Army National Guard; in North Dakota, that number climbs to 65 of every 10,000 residents.

• Date Taken: 08.24.2011
• Date Posted: 08.30.2011 16:38
• Story ID: 76187
• Location: FARGO, ND, US