thedrifter
07-24-07, 05:42 AM
Posted July 24, 2007
Recruiters deliver direct message to enlistees
Going to war a distinct possibility
By Charlie Mathews
Herald Times Reporter
MANITOWOC — When Nicholas Nething enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in June 2004 he knew there was a chance he would serve overseas in the Iraq war.
"Our drill instructors told us at boot camp that we would be going within six months but we didn't take them seriously at the time," Nething said Monday.
He returned to Manitowoc on Sunday after serving for a year in Kuwait escorting supplies convoys into Iraq.
Nething was forewarned by Staff Sgt. Sam McKenna, a recruiter for the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
McKenna said the "citizen-soldiers" he recruits are told the only guarantees are "they will get their enlistment bonus and help with college expenses, but wherever their unit is sent, they go."
A Marine for nine years and Guard recruiter for the past six years, McKenna recruited several of the men deployed with the 121st Field Artillery.
Sgt. Jose Ramos staffs the Marine recruiting station in downtown Manitowoc. The minimum enlistment period is four years.
"The Marine Corps is physically and mentally challenging," said Ramos, whose recruits can sign up between the ages of 18 and 29, at 17 with a parent's permission. "We are looking for people ready to want to become one of 'the few and the proud.'"
"As a Marine you will have opportunities to see the world, get some good technical experience, and gain valuable traits the (civilian) work world is looking for," Ramos said.
He said Marines are at the "tip of the spear" and "America's 911 force" going wherever in the world there are battles to be fought.
From his downtown Manitowoc office, Army recruiter Staff Sgt. Nathan Frose said the nation's all-volunteer military knows the dangers they may face when they enlist. "They know what they're getting themselves into," Frose said.
He tells prospects "it's a possibility" when asked whether they'll be going overseas to a global hot spot.
Like Ramos and McKenna, Frose stresses job training and education benefits that will pay off after military service ends.
Charlie Mathews: 920-686-2969, or cmathews@htrnews.com
Ellie
Recruiters deliver direct message to enlistees
Going to war a distinct possibility
By Charlie Mathews
Herald Times Reporter
MANITOWOC — When Nicholas Nething enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in June 2004 he knew there was a chance he would serve overseas in the Iraq war.
"Our drill instructors told us at boot camp that we would be going within six months but we didn't take them seriously at the time," Nething said Monday.
He returned to Manitowoc on Sunday after serving for a year in Kuwait escorting supplies convoys into Iraq.
Nething was forewarned by Staff Sgt. Sam McKenna, a recruiter for the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
McKenna said the "citizen-soldiers" he recruits are told the only guarantees are "they will get their enlistment bonus and help with college expenses, but wherever their unit is sent, they go."
A Marine for nine years and Guard recruiter for the past six years, McKenna recruited several of the men deployed with the 121st Field Artillery.
Sgt. Jose Ramos staffs the Marine recruiting station in downtown Manitowoc. The minimum enlistment period is four years.
"The Marine Corps is physically and mentally challenging," said Ramos, whose recruits can sign up between the ages of 18 and 29, at 17 with a parent's permission. "We are looking for people ready to want to become one of 'the few and the proud.'"
"As a Marine you will have opportunities to see the world, get some good technical experience, and gain valuable traits the (civilian) work world is looking for," Ramos said.
He said Marines are at the "tip of the spear" and "America's 911 force" going wherever in the world there are battles to be fought.
From his downtown Manitowoc office, Army recruiter Staff Sgt. Nathan Frose said the nation's all-volunteer military knows the dangers they may face when they enlist. "They know what they're getting themselves into," Frose said.
He tells prospects "it's a possibility" when asked whether they'll be going overseas to a global hot spot.
Like Ramos and McKenna, Frose stresses job training and education benefits that will pay off after military service ends.
Charlie Mathews: 920-686-2969, or cmathews@htrnews.com
Ellie