NC Guard Opens Western Recruiting Station, Celebrates 354th Birthday

Photo By Lt. Col. Matthew Devivo | Senior NC Guard leaders, top NC Guard recruiters, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce members and mall officials celebrated the opening of NCNG’s Western Region Recruiting Center, at the Northlake Mall on March 24, 2017. During the grand opening, (left to right) Lt. Col. Clay Jackson, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Commander, Brig. Gen. John Byrd, Assistant Adjutant General for Domestic Operations and Master Sgt. Joseph Ruiz, Charlotte Recruiting and Retention Detachment 1. celebrated North Carolina National Guard’s 354th birthday. The militia, which later became the NC National Guard, was established by the Carolina Charter of 1663.  

CHARLOTTE, NC, UNITED STATES

03.24.2017

Story by Lt. Col. Matthew Devivo 

North Carolina National Guard

Senior NC Guard leaders, top NC Guard recruiters, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce members and mall officials celebrated the opening of NCNG’s Western Region Recruiting Center, at the Northlake Mall here, March 24, 2017.

During the grand opening, Guardsmen at the recruiting site also celebrated North Carolina National Guard’s 354th birthday. The militia, which later became the NC National Guard, was established by the Carolina Charter of 1663. The grand opening and birthday celebration emphasize the important role of Charlotte’s new recruiting center in growing the state’s National Guard force and supports a new National Directive to grow the active duty, Guard and reverse forces nation-wide. On average, the NC Guard recruits 1,500 to 1,600 soldiers a year.

"We are excited to be opening this new Recruiting Office,” said Master Sgt. Joseph Ruiz, with B Company, Charlotte Recruiting and Retention Detachment 1. “We are delighted to be a part of the Charlotte and Northlake Mall community."

The NCARNG’s Western Region Recruiting Center will expand the growth in NC Guard force structure and enhance support to both federal and state operations.

NC Guard’s recruiting battalion has been recognized nationally for excellence. One reason for their success is how the team of recruiters and staff have worked to develop relationships with the communities where they work, live and may have grown up in.

“Ties to the communities of North Carolina is critical,” said Ruiz. “In addition, the patriotism of North Carolina citizens drives a desire to serve and support the our state and the U.S. military.”


Ruiz stated that this is the only NC Guard storefront office in the western portion of the state, making it more accessible to those citizens who wish to find out more about what it means to be a “Citizen-Soldier” and part of the “Always Ready” NC National Guard.

In 2016, NC Guard units supported numerous domestic operations to include winter storms, Hurricane Mathew and the September 2016 riots, in Charlotte. One recent example of NC Guard’s support for federal missions is NCNG’s 258th Engineer Detachment’s deployment, in Dec. 2016, to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Individuals interested in learning more about military service with the North Carolina Army National Guard, its training opportunities and educational benefits, may contact the Recruiting Office at 1-800-GO-GUARD or visit https://state.nationalguard.com/north-carolina

• Date Taken: 03.24.2017
• Date Posted: 03.27.2017 14:58
• Story ID: 228186
• Location: CHARLOTTE, NC, US