TORRINGTON – The Wyoming National Guard hosted a meet-and-greet at the C. R. Gomez Army National Guard Armory in Torrington on Dec. 3.
Welcoming the community to come meet with the Army National Guard recruiters, the Torrington armory hosted a pizza party and questionnaire evening. Sergeant First Class Kerry Wyatt has been with recruiting off and on since 2002, and hosts meet-and-greets in any area he gets assigned to as a way for the community, and potential National Guard applicants, to come ask questions and get to know the organization.
“We get a chance to sit down with young adults and help plan their future,” Wyatt said. “We are one of the best-kept secrets in the military because of the options we have. First and foremost, we are citizen soldiers, which allows our young adults to go through initial active duty training (basic training) and AIT (Advanced Individual Training) in which they will learn a job skill.
“The opportunities with the Wyoming Army National Guard are second to none,” he said. “Our decision-making principles, our leadership, our training are all incredible experiences and skill-sets that these young adults learn and utilize.”
The meet-and-greets and community events give potential applicants the opportunity to learn how they are able to be involved in the military while still being a part of their hometown community.
Also there was Sergeant First Class Edwardo Herrera, the Non- Commissioned Officer In Charge of Wyoming’s Retention, who oversees National Guard recruiting efforts.
“Just a few weeks ago we did a Guard for a Day event at Camp Guernsey,” Herrera said. “We typically try to build community and do some presentation nights and feed the community.”
During the presentations incorporated into the meet-and-greet community nights, they talk about the different aspects of the military. Touching on tradition, honor, education, experience and more. The potential applicants are able to find a portion of the presentation they may be looking for in the future and might not have looked towards the National Guard for previously.
Meet-and-greets are one of many ways for people who may be interested in the National Guard to get introduced to the organization.
The Quest program was recently introduced to Torrington High School as a way for high school students to explore their options post-school. Private Joseph Phillips was able to start his military career by meeting with recruiters through the Quest program and proceeded to go through the National Guard’s Split-op program.
This option allows applicants who still have to finish their last year of high school the opportunity to split their training. They go through basic training before graduation and to their AIT after graduation.
“Galloway walked in, and he was my first real experience with the Guard,” Phillips said.
Sargent Galloway was one of the previous recruiters for Torrington. Phillips said he met Galloway through the Quest program his sophomore year of high school, and then in his junior year he met with Wyatt to enlist.
