Georgia Army National Guard Welcomes 300 New Soldiers

Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Georgia Guardsmen temporarily assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion stand at parade rest during a battle handoff ceremony at Fort Stewart. Nearly 300 Soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard were welcomed by their units during the ceremony, the largest transfer of its kind in the history of the Georgia Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program.  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

04.23.2017

Story by Capt. William Carraway 

Georgia National Guard

Nearly 300 Soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard were welcomed by their units of assignment during a battle handoff ceremony at Fort Stewart, Ga. Sunday. The ceremony, attended by the Georgia Guard’s senior leadership and family members, is the largest transfer of its kind in the history of the Georgia Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program.

“It is a privilege to be here to witness the start of these Soldiers’ careers in the Georgia Army National Guard, said Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Adjutant General of the Georgia Department of Defense. “This is the beginning of their service and the beginning of our commitment to them and their families.”

The battle handoff ceremony marks the transition of Soldiers from the Recruit Sustainment Program to their unit of assignment. In addition to completing their basic combat training and individual training, the Soldiers have completed all administrative and medical clearance and are ready to assume their duties at their new units from day one.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Soldiers marched onto Donovan Field in mass formation before a display of Georgia Guard vehicles and aircraft. Major General Jarrard and the command team of the Georgia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Lt. Col. Christopher Corley and Command Sgt. Major Shawn Lewis, presented coins to Soldiers who exceeded training standards in physical fitness and marksmanship. Soldiers who were honor graduates of their basic training or advanced individual training classes were presented with the Army Achievement Medal.

In his remarks following the awards presentation, Jarrard thanked family members in attendance then directed his comments to the assembled Soldiers.

“About 30 percent of today’s youth are eligible for military service, but far fewer end up serving,” said Jarrard “We are very grateful that you chose to serve. There are a lot of you and you will have a direct impact on our organization.”

Representatives of the Georgia Army National Guard’s five brigades stepped forward to receive the new Soldiers into their commands. Soldiers assigned to the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were called first. As the names were called, each Soldier shouted the brigade motto “Send Me” and sprinted to join the 48th IBCT formation. This process was repeated for the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 78th Troop Command, 201st Regional Support Group and 78th Aviation Troop Command.

Once all troops had been assigned, commanders took charge of their individual formations and leaders began to brief their new Soldiers.
Colonel John Gentry, commander of the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade welcomed the newest Soldiers of his command and shared tips for success in the military.

“Live the Army Values, and always treat others with dignity and respect, whether in or out of uniform,” said Gentry.

On the other side of the field, Brigadier General Tom Blackstock and Command Sgt. Major Roy Marchert, command team of the 78th Troop Command echoed Gentry’s words, and noted the importance of the battle handoff ceremony.

“If you watch the news, you know we need you, your country needs you.” Said Marchert. “You are coming in at an outstanding time and I wish nothing but the best for you in your careers.”

The Guardsmen will serve in 16 different career fields. Four out of ten will serve in combat arms as combat engineers, infantrymen, and in the field artillery. Another 40 percent will provide vital support in logistics, transportation, military police and human resources. Still others will enter technical careers in signal, intelligence, chemical and medical fields. They will serve in nearly 80 different units from Calhoun and Toccoa in the north to Thomasville and Brunswick in the south.

Major General Jarrard summed up the success of the Recruit Sustainment Program and battle handoff ceremony.
“The Georgia Department of Defense is a recognized leader in strength, readiness and innovation,” said Jarrard. “All of those things were on display today.”

• Date Taken: 04.23.2017
• Date Posted: 04.24.2017 10:07
• Story ID: 231311
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US