Recruiter loves military career
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Myers
Wanting to pay for his college education prompted Alan Myers to join the Arkansas Army National Guard. Now Staff Sergeant Alan Myers is the local recruiter for the Guard.
A native of Jonesboro, Myers graduated Jonesboro High School, joined the Army National Guard when he was 19, and has been in for six years.
"I wanted the education benefits. The National Guard pays 100 percent college tuition and pays you to go to college full time. I was wanting to go to college," Myers said.
Myers became a recruiter in 2007 and has the fulltime benefits of active duty. He previously served in field artillery. In 1005-2006 he was deployed to Kosovo for a peace-keeping mission as a military police officer.
Men or women from 17 to 41 years of age may apply, Myers said, adding that a high school diploma is not necessary and a General Educational Development (GED ) diploma can be earned through the Guard. Applicants must have no felony convictions.
Being a member of the Guard involves working one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer after completing the 10-week basic training.
Myers said there are currently enlistment bonuses of up to $ 20, 000 and educational benefits. He said there are also bonuses for enlisting in the Army full time and deployment can be deferred while earning a college degree.
"Deployment can be anywhere - Homeland Security missions, there were soldiers down on the Gulf Coast because of the hurricanes, Kosovo. Anyone looking to help their community, their country can enlist," Myers said. "It's not just Iraq. It's community based."
"I love the military. I'm like active Army. I don't have to move around every three years and I'm non-deployable as a recruiter," he said, adding that the retirement and health insurance benefits are an added incentive.
Myers'office is in Rogers at 4500 West Walnut Suite 8, and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. He can be reached at 221-3461 anytime, he said. His e-mail address is alan. w. myers @ us. army. mil.
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