Photo By Tech. Sgt. Linda Burger | Lt. Col. Randy Higginbotham (far left), the Iowa Army National Guard’s Recruiting...... read more read more
IOWA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OPENS NEWEST
OFF-POST RECRUITING OPERATION CENTER
With the simple snip of an over-sized pair of scissors, the Iowa Army National Guard opened its first off-post Recruiting Operation Center, located on the upper level of Jordan Creek Town Center, near Center Court, on Friday, March 10 in West Des Moines.
This approximately 1,200-square foot facility, staffed by a half dozen Iowa Army National Guard recruiters, now offers a conveniently-located place for Iowans to meet with today’s Citizen-Soldiers and learn about a wealth of career opportunities.
According to Brig. Gen. Steve Altman, Deputy Adjutant General, Iowa Army National Guard, since 1839, the Iowa National Guard has supported our state during natural disasters such as floods, winter storms and tornados, as well as our nation, in its time of need.
“Today we have the opportunity to open this exceptional recruiting operations center and tell our story and talk about the opportunities that are available to our youth and to their families within the Iowa National Guard,” Altman said.
“Many of the skills offered through the Army and Air National Guard support civilian employment, allowing individuals to greatly increase their opportunities in life,” said Altman. “You look at those skills that transcend from military to civilian life – be it the medical fields, aviation, truck driving, engineer, mechanic, or cyber and signal communications – all of these provide great opportunities to allow those individuals to get ahead, not just in their military career, but also in their civilian career.”
And these dedicated, steadfast employees, are just what Iowa employers are looking for.
“They’re looking for young men and women, both Army and Air, who have had training and leadership, who are drug-free, who are physically fit, and who are instilled with military discipline. And there are so many opportunities for the future, for the large number of youth and their families who are uncertain about how they are going to pay for college,” he said.
So why place a recruiting station at Jordan Creek Town Center?
“The vision to open this storefront began over 20 months ago,” said Lt. Col. Randy Higginbotham, the Iowa Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander.
“Where in Iowa do you have over a million people a month gathered? There’s no other place in the state, except this mall. This mall postures us to put the message of Iowa in front of every Iowan – every Iowan that answers the call, that wants to serve, or will serve. So we’re here where the people are.
“It’s not an Army Base, not in an armory, not in a high school, or your living room,” Higginbotham explained. “This is a neutral place, where Iowans shop and eat every day. So, we’ll tell you about our 100 percent tuition assistance. We’ll tell you about full-time and part-time careers. We’ll tell you about the benefits.
“This location helps us to carry on our proud tradition,” continued Higginbotham. “Our mission is to educate the public on what we have to offer, because we really are, ‘Iowans serving Iowans.’ So, our mission is simple and our location is perfect,” he said.
This is the Iowa National Guard’s second off-base recruiting site within the Des Moines area. In March 2015, the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Wing opened its off-base recruiting site at 7205 Vista Dr., West Des Moines.
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2017 12:51 |
| Story ID: | 226784 |
| Location: | JOHNSTON, IA, US |
| Hometown: | JOHNSTON, IA, US |
| Web Views: | 115 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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