MT Army National Guard having banner year for recruitment

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/08/10/montana/a08081006_01.txt

GREAT FALLS (AP) — The Montana Army National Guard is having one of its best recruiting years in the past decade, thanks to bigger signing bonuses and other improved incentives, Guard officials say.

The Montana National Guard had hoped to recruit 526 new soldiers this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

‘‘We’re at 98.5 percent of our goal,’’ said Lt. Col. Scott Smith, the Guard’s personnel officer. ‘‘Last year at this time, we were at 67 percent of mission.’’

Smith said much of the success comes from a program introduced in February called the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program, which uses soldiers to recruit their friends.

In addition, the enlistment signing bonus has doubled to $20,000, said Maj. Barry Gilman of the Guard’s recruiting command. And the National Guard will repay up to $20,000 in student loans, up from $10,000.

[Monkeyman]

1. You take away people jobs this is what happens