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Gabriel On National Guard

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The Ohio National Guard is continuing to grow even as the regular Armed Forces seem to have issues in recruiting.

The Guard hosted media from the Ohio Association of Broadcasters on Thursday for a refueling mission.

Major Nicole Gabriel explains why they do so well in recruiting.

“We have several grass roots programs out there. We have recruiters out in the community, talking in the communities getting recognition in the communities, and we have a program called G-RAP. It stands for Guard Recruiting Assistance Program where soldiers and airmen themselves can become recruiters.”

The Ohio National Guard also has a 98% retention rate.

Gabriel says most of the Guard are part time soldiers and that’s one of the reasons it’s popular.

“We are citizen soldiers and airmen. Most of our force serves as your local banker, teacher, doctor, etc. One weekend a month, two weeks a year or whenever the nation calls them, they put on their uniform and they become a citizen and a soldier or airman.”

Gabriel adds that even though they have different names and different missions, the National Guard and the Air National Guard make up the Ohio National Guard.

“The Air Guard supports several Air Force missions and the Army supports it’s own Army missions. As a joint force we are a team. We do train together as a team, do work together as a team. Especially now more and more since September 11th, we are starting to be more and more of a joint force as the Ohio National Guard.”

To find out more about the Ohio National Guard, click here.