RI National Guard needs recruits; offers tuition and training while serving part-time | Opinion

Maj. Gen. Christopher P. Callahan
·3 min read
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Maj. Gen. Christopher P. Callahan is adjutant general and commanding general, Rhode Island National Guard.

Frank Lennon’s column published June 12 highlighted the U.S. Army’s newest lieutenants who recently commissioned from the University of Rhode Island’s Reserve Officers Training Corps, or ROTC, program. I am proud of these young women and men and excited for the journey they will soon take as the future leadership of the Army.

One story Frank shared is one I am quite familiar with: the story of 2nd Lt. Chantel Rosario de Los Santos. Chantel is a Rhode Island Army National Guard soldier who joined our Simultaneous Membership Program after high school and used the National Guard’s State Tuition Assistance Program to pay for her education at the University of Rhode Island. While in college, the state activated her and her military police unit during the coronavirus pandemic response. Chantel’s story is one of determination, discipline and courage, and is emblematic of the qualities we expect from our new leaders.

More: Hope for America's future: Highlighting RI's ROTC stars during graduation season

We are living in unprecedented times relative to the National Guard. Across the nation, the National Guard has responded to the enduring global COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. Here in Rhode Island, your National Guard established alternative hospital sites, COVID-19 testing and vaccination centers, assisted state educators with the plan that allowed Rhode Island schools to hold in-person classes during the pandemic, supported staffing shortages at local hospitals, staffed a warming center for the unhoused, and most recently supported local firefighters battling the West Greenwich and Exeter wildfires by providing aerial firefighting using our Army air crews and helicopters.

A Rhode Island National Guardsman is greeted by family after returning from an overseas deployment in 2019.
A Rhode Island National Guardsman is greeted by family after returning from an overseas deployment in 2019.

I have highlighted these stateside missions because I want you to know about the talented young women and men who make up our organization. I am more confident now in their abilities than I have ever been. These fantastic soldiers and airmen volunteered to serve their country and the citizens of Rhode Island during one of the most uncertain periods in recent history. They came to work every day and faced problems for whch there were no easy solutions. Through their own intellect, curiosity and desire to serve, they tackled these problems and developed creative solutions that became the playbook for the future.

In addition to the stateside missions, Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard units continued to support federal missions through deployments across the globe as well as the southwest border of the United States. As I am writing this, approximately one-third of the Rhode Island National Guard is forward deployed.

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This level of state and federal support is not possible without aspiring young leaders like Chantel. Because leaders like her have joined our ranks, we are confidently navigating these uncertain times. Unfortunately, we are facing recruiting challenges as well.

Military service recruiting data suggests alarmingly high numbers of young people are reluctant to serve in the U.S. military. What this data fails to represent is what these young people can accomplish when they do serve.

The Rhode Island National Guard is unique because we offer military service part-time so that our soldiers and airmen can pursue their education and careers separate from the military. There are plenty of tangible benefits for joining the National Guard. We provide our members free tuition at any Rhode Island state college or university, signing bonuses for certain career fields, and paid training at federal installations throughout the United States.

However, and more importantly, we offer world-class problem solving and leadership training, opportunities to face challenges and the freedom to collaborate with amazing teams to overcome those challenges. We offer the ability to serve right here in your home state, and like Chantel, serve the people in your community when they need you the most.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's Guardsmen come to work every day and face problems for which there are no easy solutions.