US Army Recruiting Command-Baltimore Battalion meets with Baltimore Ravens football players after practice

Photo By Jeremy Todd | US Army Recruiting Command-Baltimore Battalion Recruiters and Future Soldiers get autographs from Baltimore Ravens players and coaches at the Under Armour Training Facility in Owings Mills, Md., Aug. 2, 2015.  

OWINGS MILLS, MD, UNITED STATES

08.18.2015

Story by Jeremy Todd 

USAREC-Baltimore

BALTIMORE - U.S. Army recruiters and future soldiers attended a Baltimore Ravens afternoon practice session at Under Armour Training Facility Tuesday, Aug 18.

Future Soldiers and recruiters had the opportunity to not only watch the Ravens practice but interact with the players following the session. They posed for photographs and brought their favorite memorabilia for autographs.

Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Cavanaugh, a recruiter based in Bel Air, Md., and native of Owings Mills, Md., organized the event to "build camaraderie and entertain future Soldiers." He practices what he preaches by living by his motto; "Good leaders take care of their people; bad leaders take care of themselves." He says he enjoys maintaining the relationship he has with his recruits. "Tracking them from their initial appointment all the way through to the day they ship off to basic training allows me to build a trust," Cavanaugh added.

Community relations is an important aspect of Army recruiting. Commander of Baltimore Recruiting Company Commander Capt. Terrance Bratton says, "My Soldiers are working hard out here today; they may be having fun, but they are still working. Not only are they taking care of Soldiers, but they are also putting a positive face on Army recruiting while interacting with the public." Bratton is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and has nearly 20 years of military service under his belt.

Although the Ravens were set to head to Philadelphia directly after practice, several Ravens made their way to the line of troops waiting for autographs.

Sgt. 1st Class Ron Collins and a few others received a unique gift from Steve Smith Sr., No. 88: he gave them a challenge coin which is engraved with a special salute to military members. Justin Forsett, No. 29, gave Army Recruiter Staff Sgt Christian Jones.

The bond between recruiter and recruit goes beyond just getting them to sign on the line. Tracking their successes and encouraging leadership in their community is fundamental to ensuring that recruiters are filling the ranks with quality Soldiers.

• Date Taken: 08.18.2015
• Date Posted: 08.24.2015 12:24
• Story ID: 174038
• Location: OWINGS MILLS, MD, US
• Hometown: BALTIMORE, MD, US
• Hometown: OWINGS MILLS, MD, US