OCR Text |
Show 4 Vemal 6ftfe Fridoy, March ;-,, I f M ' ...... TT v V. F -MMkW . , ,,,.,;,,...; . X. SFC DON CURFEW, a recruiter for the Utah Na- patriotism, a tional Guard says there are several motivaters challangesand that cause individuals to join the Guard; money, p SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN the stars on recruiting posters since the djy Uncle Sam said "I want You" with the pointing finger aimed at all potential recruits in the USA. p Q i THE GUAKD ARMORY in Vcf ral fncmtfi. Thee are four tu!.'im y-,,,' v ,V- jun VTi-rv O V Vi -CV s Startinc Thursday, March 7th INTERIOR DESIGN CLASSES Thwrtdayi of 1:30 p.m. Pr?-ri?3'sff by MafiH fc'H, 1985 Call Chcllc for more information 3172 W. 440 1, 1983 now rous J a un t ct 1 23 artve fsoftnc! arxJ lhfc ffof wll S. 7812097 - - " A Os V change from everyday life, more, Reserves form byDCi of rciiDDttairy By Merls Young Expr Society Editor Seventy percent of the United States Armed Forces strength is made up of reserve units from all branches of the military. One of these, the Utah Army National Na-tional Guard is strong, and growing stronger in the Uintah Basin area where 129 members belong to the Vernal Unit of the 1457 Engineers. "Duty, honor, country," a statement state-ment made by the late General Douglas MacArthur says a lot about patriotism and service to ones homeland. Members of the Army National Na-tional Guard feel this patriotism, according ac-cording to SFC Don Curfew, a long time military employee and now recruiter for the Guard. Curfew's diligence and sincerity in recruiting is proven by a marked growth in the strength of Vernal's unit. They have grown from 69 members in February of 1982 to 129 as of February of 1985. Curfew said this about the "build up" of the reserves; "Thousands of Utahns are members of this organization called the "National Guard." On wonders why? What are Ihe motivating factors involved In getting people to give up one wwkend each month, and two weeks of their summer to belong to the Guard? Is it really "Duty, honor, country and community? Looking at the political viewpoint first, a few years back It was the general consensus of the political heiarchy that a solid defense meant a Urge full time Army. This Army was very coaly to the American lax-payer. lax-payer. Americans wanted a good oVfen, but demanded expenses for equipment, wages, training, and more, be cut down to size. fteearth proved a division trf Ns tiowl Guard t'nill would Ctl Sp-proximalrly Sp-proximalrly 29 percent of what a regular Army division cu. This In-formnUon In-formnUon Hirrrd officials In Washington Into action. A prrpat W8 made that more effort be put into National Guard frcxuiUng, training and equipment, Some of lh "fat" Would be trimmed from lh regular hwhrt f lh fcervtrt to finant Ihiichanfe!, Th charg! k9 )!d mean the National Guard wmild be given rrif activ rr!e in the oVfense of tf Ntti"tt- Carol's Sewing and Alterations March Specials 10 OFF Slacks & Levi Zippers 10 OFF Easter Dresses 15 OFF on 3 Piece Suits Cc?fi 9 $ Mji Sat 1145 S. 2500 W. 789-9423 Watch fof monthly specials HEAVY EQUIPMENT like this by the public during "Engineers uamp Dinosaur, Public image The impact from the change hit the Vernal Guard unit about three years ago. At that time the unit had only two full time personnel, a unit administrator ad-ministrator and a mechanic, or motor sergeant. Only 82 members were allowed in the unit. Keeping supplies and logistics in some sort of order was a "nightmare". Getting even simple things like parts and training ammunition am-munition was a major chore. In the past few months, things have had a notiable change. There are now four full time employees; a mechanic, a unit administrator, a training plannercoordinator and a recruiter. There may be three more individuals added to the staff soon; a unit armorer, training clerk, and an administrative clerk. The supply and logistics posture has improved drastically. Last May at the annual weapons qualification at Camp Dinosaur, there were eleven cases of 50 cal. machinegun ammunition ammuni-tion for use in qualification and familiarization. In the past, there was (one) provided. There Is no longer a ceiling on membership and the strength goal of the unit is 150 active members by Christmas. (This is a goal, not a quota). In answer to the question, "Why be a member of the Guard?", one of the biggest motivators is money. As unemployment and the economic situation is depressed, the "extra" $H5 a month, or more depending on rank, can be a blessing. It may not pay the rent, but it can be a way of financially supporting a college program. pro-gram. A young Individual who belongs to the Guard can get up to H.ooo in tuition tui-tion and college benefits as an enlistment enlist-ment incentive. They could also be eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Repay-ment Program that provides government govern-ment loans up to llQ.ooo for higher education. The National Guard will pay up to 90 percent of this loan back for the student. For those who art not planning to attend college, there ts a 12,000 cah bonus incentive program. Another motivating factor In belonging to the Guard is patriotism, Some My it is a way to fullMI their obligation and still punue their civilian career or education program, pro-gram, Thef art a large number of prior MTvice members in th Vemal unit. Many of the er building ttmard their military retirement brwfiU, trinf MTviee guarantee he ame rank held at the time of discharge up r.i, can be operated proved since Day" held at ppeu uM uy nas greatly im- to E-6 or staff sergeant. After a year's enlistment, they may re-enlist and receive an $1,800 bonus. Prior-service Prior-service members are also eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program. Pro-gram. Some Guardsmen simply enjoy what they do. They like the "escape" from routine civilian life and the challenge offered by military training train-ing and exercise. Also it is a place for comradeship usually not found in public life." Facts about joining the Utah National Na-tional Guard Q: Will I have to complete basic training? A: Yes, if you have not had prior military service. Training is about 13 weeks. Q: Must I be a high school graduate? A: No. You must have completed at least the 9th grade. However, qualification for many of the bonus programs requires a high school diploma. Q: Can I enlist when I am 16 years old? A: No. You must be at least 17. Age limit on non prior service is 35. Prior service personnel who are able to retire with 20 years of service before reaching 60 are eligible. Q: Can I go on a church mission if I am a member of the Guard? A: Yes. You can be put on two years Inactive status. Q: I am a junior in high school, can I enlist? A: Yes. You would attend weekend drills until summer vacation from school. Then you would go to basic training and return In time for jour senior year. Following graduation you would attend advanced Individual In-dividual training. You would be In a pay status immediately upon enlistment. enlist-ment. Q: What must I do to get into the National Guard? A: Take a written examination, get I physical examination, bring copies of the required documents le: birth Certificate, social Security card, school transcripts, marriage licrru end ethers. Q : Wilt I have to go to Ult Lake a-tyloenlit? a-tyloenlit? A: No, All the nrrrvwry paperwork, paper-work, test and physical art ctitn-pletrd ctitn-pletrd in Vernal, SFC Curfew grr up in Jewrn, lie U a graduate o( Uintah ll;h JkbnoJ. Ite rnhsted in the Army in twrernu? rf 14 and spenl II year in ariir duty m a tank trrman, ergitwrirg jupn isnf, and mrviirf . SANDY'S Si:.AuS UAYS v. 1 community involvement has been u.c vC .,,..,ia,,. He returned to Utah in 1981 and graduated from Weber State College the following year. He worked as an engineering technician for the Bureau of Reclamation but remained in the military by joining the Vernal unit of the Guard in 1982 where he served as a platoon sergeant. He took the job of unit administrator in July of 1983. When a recruiting job opened in Vernal, he applied and was chosen for the position. Curfew says he is pleased with the assistance and cooperation he receives from members of the Guard and people in the community in his recruiting efforts. He credits Dale Ross, a retired National Na-tional Guardsmen, and Tom Nord-"trom, Nord-"trom, who has recently re-enlisted, or a great deal of help in reaching potential recruits. - f Curfew also mentioned the staff and counselors of high schools in Uintah, Uin-tah, Daggett and Duchesne districts, parents and friends as recruiting proponents. pro-ponents. i feel that the biggest problem I have Is the "Recruiter Reputation". Some people feel a recruiter will do anything, or say anything to get an enlistment. I like to feel this is not the case. I tell people the way it is. If we go to war, I will go too. My life could well depend on the people that I recruit. A prime example of the "Recruiter Reputation happened a few weeks ago. As I was leaving Uintah High School after talking with some students, a faculty member paused in the hallway. He looked over at me and said, "Well Sarg, how many victims vic-tims did you get today?" I hope he was joking, but It didn't come across thai way. Some parents tell their twflge sons, "Don't sign anything!" The National Na-tional Guard is not here to put an individual in-dividual Into a losing situation, and we re not going to "drag" him off to war!" Curfew enclalmed. The National Guard U a servant of the people, They can be called in lime t4 dtwuler of jtl to help with I worthwhile wor-thwhile community project Their armory in Vernal hat brra offered for public UK and bnU number of roi profit or ganualion t rw charge. They have "F-rgioreri Da)V at Camp Difauf ber rveryooe tfi eirat the havy fpiipmenl arwj even fire the ea pons, lu-rnrrnbrf, ihe, rrTie rniH'ary rnakr up 7g prTcrf,t n( the nations military llrer.f'n rd Ihrt cr.!im to improve Uainirg and mV!? hil! satirg h fusion mwj, tt Still prgvid,r.g tf ncvnfy ct 'rfg fnilitarj fort. A WEEK - Gorilla Care Bear Clown Easter Bunny Seasonal Costumes Call 789-2538 For More Information! i, |