LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky is fortunate to have more than its fair share of great recruiters, as evidenced by the number of recruiters that have exceeded their assigned missions this year.
One recruiter though, Sgt. 1st Class Justin Newman from Lexington, has stood out above the rest and was selected as Kentucky’s representative for the Directors 54 at the Director of the Army National Guard’s Strength Maintenance Awards Conference in November.
Newman has been a recruiter in the Lexington area for the last twelve years and has been able to create a good standing the areas schools and has developed relationships with Soldiers he’s previously recruited that have sent others his way because of their experience with him.
“When I talk to individuals interested in joining the Guard, I’m really direct and to the point,” said Newman on what makes him successful. “If they want to join the guard I’m not going sugar coat it, I’m going to say, this is what the guard can do for you, but this is what you’ve got to do for us.”
He excelled during the 2019 recruiting year, enlisting 147% of his assigned enlisted accessions mission (mission was 18 recruits, he signed up 25) according to the commander of the recruiting battalion, Lt. Col Darin Bussabarger.
Newman is married to his wife Christy, whom he credits for pushing him and supporting him through his career.
“The reason I’m here is for my family, my faith was a number one priority in my life and then my family,” said Newman. “You have to have faith if you’re going to make it in recruiting.”
HIs friendly, genuine personality serves as one of his greatest assets as a recruiter. He also says his life experience goes a long way in helping him develop rapport with recruits. Prior to his time as a recruiter, he was a Lexington policeman and he drilled with the Field Artillery.
In addition to raw numbers, he has contributed immeasurably to the battalion's success by training, mentoring and leading young new recruiters and setting a superb example for other RRNCOs to follow He is well known and respected throughout the battalion for his experience and abilities.
One of Newman’s biggest accomplishments include him getting sent to a failing store front for the past few years to either fix the issues they were having and start getting more enlistments or shut the storefront down and relocate.
“He immediately stepped up and made some changes and the storefront is now producing the number it should be,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph S. Owens Recruiting and Retention Battalion Sergeant Major. “He has also capitalized on social media marketing and it has paid off big dividends for not only him but the entire team.”
The Army National Guard created the Director’s Strength Maintenance Award Program (DMAP) Director’s 54 Award and is given annually to the top recruiter in each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands).
“He will represent Kentucky well and we are thrilled to have him on the team, added Bussabarger.”