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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
By Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Soldiers preparing to exit their term of service or ETS, speak with members of the Kentucky Guard’s personnel office to verify personal records during a final formation event in Frankfort, Ky., July 12, 2015. The Soldiers are required to review their records for accuracy including finance and medical histories. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A new program in the Kentucky National Guard is now providing Soldiers leaving the Service their own opportunity to close, or open the door to a future in the Guard.
Known as the Final Formation, Soldiers preparing for their expiration of term of service or ETS are required to attend the one-day event to either re-up or out-process. This initiative provides a process that enables the Soldiers to out process from the Kentucky National Guard, for personnel staff to work issues, and an opportunity for the senior leadership to affect a Soldier’s decision to reenlist.
“We absolutely want to retain every good qualified Soldier, no doubt,” said Col. Michael Abell, director of the Kentucky Guard’s personnel office. “But for those who have honorably served, whether it was one term or 30 years, we also want to ensure they exit the Kentucky Guard with the same level of detail and care as when they entered.”
The program provides two objectives: 1. To ensure the Soldiers who are going to ETS are provided a transition program and understand the benefits they will retain and the benefits they will lose. 2. One last appeal to the Soldier to retain highly qualified Soldiers and their experience.
After six years in the Guard, Sgt. Russell Gray from the 223rd Military Police Company has decided to leave to spend more time with his family.
“It’s good to be able to come here and have the opportunity to say your peace, your side of the story and why you’re getting out,” said Gray.
For Pfc. Dillon Morvel, also from the 223rd, the program was a window of opportunity to continue his service to the commonwealth by re-enlisting.
Lt. Col. Lance Grebe re-enlists Pfc. Dillon Morvel during a final formation event in Frankfort, Ky., July 12, 2015. The final formation program offers Soldiers on last chance to re-up or out-process with assistance from the Kentucky Guard’s personnel office. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
“It’s more formal to come to Frankfort to do this,” he said. “Being here really shows you that not only your unit wants you stay in, but your state wants you too.”
“I love being in the Guard, I really enjoy every minute each month,” he added.
Items Covered at the event include: Personal records review, medical records review, Veteran benefits, finance review, retirement planning, and employment services. For those Soldiers retiring, the Final Formation offers a critical piece of their out-processing as all paperwork is reviewed for accuracy and completion.
Kentucky borrowed pieces of the program from other states, after hearing the success stories. Lt Col. Lance Grebe, transition officer, said the program is expected to continue indefinitely as Guardsmen ETS monthly.
“I believe one of the biggest misconceptions of Final Formation is we are strictly focused on trying to change Soldiers decisions about discontinuing their service to the Kentucky Army National Guard. However, the intent of the program is focused on providing Soldiers with a smooth transition out of the military if they choose,” said Grebe. “They have earned it and deserve our attention regardless of their intentions.”
Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
The Kentucky high school football all-star team takes the field prior to the eight annual National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2015. Kentucky defeated Tennessee 33-32 to tie the series at four wins each. (U.S. Army national Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — For the eighth straight year, the best high school football players from Kentucky and Tennessee met on the gridiron to decide the National Guard Border Bowl, Jan. 11, in Williamsburg, Ky. Held again at the University of the Cumberlands, the game is among an elite few with the National Guard sponsorship.
In front of a large crowd and ESPN cameras, Kentucky beat Tennessee 33-32 in a thrilling game that came down to the wire. The win evens the series at four wins each.
Brig. Gen. Benjamin Adams III conducts the pre-game coin toss to start the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 10, 2015. As one of the few high school sporting events with National Guard sponsorship, Soldiers of the Kentucky and Tennessee National Guard play important roles in the support of the game. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Kentucky’s all-stars were not favored to win the game, but rallied together as a team and never trailed. A fact Freddie Maggard, the Kentucky Guard’s community relations liaison said is the epitome of the match-up. Maggard said the game has always showcased quality coaching, but the players are the ones that demonstrate the skill and desire to win, which is fitting that they played in a game sponsored by the National Guard.
“I’m always so proud of the players,” said Maggard, a former University of Kentucky quarterback. “But on top of being football all stars, these young men excelled off the field as well. The level of coaching in high school is developing not only football players, but fine young men.”
One of those players, Brandon Jones from Hazard High School was not only talented enough to make the Border Bowl roster, but also dedicated enough to enlist into the Kentucky National Guard. Jones will attend Basic Training after graduating this summer.
“It’s pretty cool that I get to play in the National Guard Border Bowl after I just enlisted a few months ago,” said Jones. “”I’ve always wanted be in the Army and I’ve always played football, I have several family members that have served, so I figured I could keep the tradition going.”
Kentucky’s Reese Ryan from Lexington Catholic High School is tackled by Tennessee’s Alex Ware from Eagleville High School during the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2015. Each state brought 50 of the best high school football players of the year to the eighth annual border rivalry. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Visit our flickr site for more photos, click here.
Kentucky’s Arien Beasley from North Oldham High School is pursued by Tennessee’s Deountario Brown from Memphis Central High School during the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 10, 2015. The game represents the last chance for some high school players to catch the eye of college coaches as the students prepare for their next step in their education. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Brig Gen. Benjamin Adams III presents the National Guard Border Bowl trophy to Kentucky’s head coach, Jim McKee from Scott County High School in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2015. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Story by Maj. David Page, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Maj. Brent Hulse, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Recruiting and Retention presents Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini with a framed special edition National Guard jersey in Frankfort, Ky., June 5, 2014. The traveling jerseys have been worn by a variety of high schools across the commonwealth and the football teams that wore them have never lost a game. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — In July 2013, 2/75th Recruiting and Retention Battalion Marketing section was researching ways to host Military Appreciation Nights during football and basketball games at various high schools throughout the commonwealth.
Borrowing an idea from the Indiana Guard, the team purchased traveling ‘National Guard’ jerseys for both football and basketball teams.
“Indiana was only using the jerseys in basketball, but we felt it would work well for football, too,” said Master Sgt. Bradley R. Harlan, marketing NCO for 2/75th.
That fall, the first football team donned the jersey and won. The next week, the next team had the same result. After ten regular games and one playoff game, every team that wore the jerseys won.
The Franklin County High School football team prepare to take the field for a game in Frankfort, Ky., 2013. (Photo courtesy of 2/75th Recruiting and Retention)
“It was an honor to wear them.” said John Petett, head football coach Monroe County High School. “I felt like we were representing more than our school on that Friday night, and it was extra motivation for the team.”
Besides the great results for teams, the jersey was seen by approximately 11,000 people by the end of the football season. Plus, images of the jerseys were seen in numerous photos in the media, helping the Guard build awareness throughout the commonwealth.
The basketball uniforms didn’t yield the same winning results for all of the teams, but they were worn in 25 games during the 2013-14 season, with more than 20,000 fans seeing these uniforms. The jerseys also achieved similar media coverage as the football jerseys, further helping the Guard show its involvement in the community.
“Without the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and Julian Tackett, the KHSAA president, allowing the schools to use these for Military Appreciation nights, this would have not been possible,” said Harlan.
With the success of the Guard jersey program, R&R Battalion is in the process of purchasing two more sets of the football jerseys for the 2014 season.
“The football jerseys are already reserved for every Friday night game for the upcoming season,” said Harlan.
Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Maj. Brent Hulse receives the battalion colors from Brig. Gen. Ben Adams III during a change of command ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., May 30, 2014. Hulse assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Recruiting and Retention from Lt. Col. Fred W. Bates V. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Maj. Brent Hulse took charge of of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Recruiting and Retention Command during a change of command ceremony in Frankfort, May 29. Hulse succeeds Lt. Col. Fred W. Bates V, who has led the battalion since 2011.
Brig. Gen. Ben Adams III joined friends, family members and Soldiers of the battalion in welcoming Hulse and congratulating Bates on a successful run as the unit commander.
The 2/75th is approaching its eleventh straight year of achieving and surpassing its assigned end strength mission, a mission Hulse prepares to continue.
“As everyone knows, our environment is changing, we don’t know where we will be in a year or two,” said Hulse. “It’s my job to evaluate where units in Kentucky are now and where they are going. We will focus on readiness and we will take Kentucky one step up.”
Click here to see more photos from the ceremony.
Hulse knows all too well the importance of the role recruiters play in the future of the Kentucky Guard, his own daughter is currently in Army basic training and is expected to graduate in July, returning as a military police officer with Kentucky’s 223rd MP Company.
“I am so proud of her, and my son, along with my wife, they have been 100 percent behind me, I couldn’t have done what I have without them,” he said. “My family has done so much to keep me on track and to help me in my career.”
Adams thanked both commanders for the consistent quality of work the battalion has delivered to the Kentucky Guard for the past decade. Of the 10 years the battalion has met its goal, Bates was a part of the unit for nine of those years.
Brig. Gen. Ben Adams III presents Lt. Col. Fred W. Bates V with the Meritorious Service Medal during a change of command ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., May 30, 2014. Bates relinquished command of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Recruiting and Retention after a three-year run as commander. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Bates will move to the 75th Troop Command in Louisville, Kentucky as the brigade’s executive officer.
“This battalion has a great responsibility for the Kentucky National Guard, you could say the future of our Kentucky Guard begins with this battalion,” said Adams. “Maj. Hulse is now in a place where he can make a huge impact on the Soldiers under his command, and at the same time serve the citizens of the commonwealth.”
Story by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Oliver, Bravo Company, Detachment 1, 2/75th Recruiting and Retention Battalion
Kentucky National Guard recruit Pfc. Jacob Perkins of Crittenden, Ky., climbs through an obstacle during the Bravo Company Recruit Sustainment Program annual field training exercise at the Grant County High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps complex in Dry Ridge, Ky. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, 2/75th Recruiting and Retention)
DRY RIDGE, Ky. — More than 200 of the Kentucky National Guard’s newest recruits prepared for their future trip to Army Basic Combat Training during a field training exercise at Grant County High School in Dry Ridge, Ky.
“Our training prepares the new Soldiers for the rigorous and physical training they will encounter at BCT and they will be ahead of their peers when they go to their individual basic and advanced training,” said Cpt. Travis Riley, commander of Bravo Company, 2/75th Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
Kentucky National Guard recruit Pvt. Demikia Cooper of Independence, Ky., climbs an obstacle ladder as part of the Kentucky Guard’s Recruit Sustainment field training exercise in Dry Ridge, Ky., April 5, 2014. The exercise brought the recruits to the field to prepare them for the rigors of basic training. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
To see more photos from this story, click here.
As part of the Kentucky Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program, new enlistees are trained in the routine Soldier skills and Army Values before leaving to basic combat training and advanced individual training. The recruits drill one weekend a month, just like traditional Guardsmen, in preparation for what is to come.
“The field training exercise is a great opportunity to change up the schedule a bit,” said Riley. ” We bring them all together, get them outdoors all day and give them an even better taste of what’s next.”.
The future Soldiers were taught and guided through several Army warrior tasks and drills at the exercise. The training included fire team tactical movements, evaluate a casualty, prevent or control shock and first aid on a suspected fracture and open abdominal wound. The new Guardsmen also learned how to use a geographical map, a magnetic compass and determining their 50 meter pace count.
The highlight of the day, for most, including the new recruits muscling their way through a mile long obstacle course, and building team cohesion with relay events.
The Kentucky National Guard’s newest recruits prepared for Army Basic Combat Training during the Bravo Company Recruit Sustainment Program annual field training exercise at Grant County High School’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp complex in Dry Ridge, Ky., April 5, 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, 2/75th Recruiting and Retention)
“Today’s training was tough but I’m glad we are doing it so I can be ready and pass basic,” said Pvt. 1st Class Emily Tillman of Hebron, Ky. Tillman also stated she wants to use the KYNG experience to become an agent with the U.S. Marshals.
The annual event was conducted by Soldiers with Bravo Co.’s Recruit Sustainment Program. This year, they received help from the high school’s Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps as cadets from the school led the recruits through the JROTC obstacle course.
“I think it’s real cool that everybody is using our JROTC field to help out with all the new recruits,” said Pvt. 1st Class Jacob Perkins, Grant County H.S. JROTC Cadet from Crittenden, Ky. “This gives me pride and a since of accomplishment knowing that I may have helped somebody pass their basic training,”
Kentucky National Guard recruits Pvt. Patrick Carlisle and Pfc. Darin Barnhill race each other while caring two filled 5 gallon water jugs during the Bravo Company Recruit Sustainment Program annual field training exercise at Grant County High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp complex in Dry Ridge, Ky. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, 2/75th Recruiting and Retention)
Story and photos by Capt. Andi Hahn, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
Lt. Col. Fred W. Bates V gets help from his sons, David (left) and Tyler as they pin new lieutenant colonel ranks on their father’s uniform during a promotion ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 13, 1013. Bates serves as the commander of the Kentucky Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Command. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Capt. Andi Hahn)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion Commander Fred W. Bates V, was pinned the rank of lieutenant colonel at a promotion ceremony held in Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 12.
Soldiers, family and friends of Bates gathered together at the Kentucky Guard’s Recruiting and Retention office to see Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Benjamin F. Adams III promote the newest lieutenant colonel.
Taking part in the traditional ceremony of pinning the rank was Bates’s wife, Beth and his mother Carole and his three sons Andrew, Tyler and David.
“I have to thank my wife and my family for always supporting me and this career path,” said Bates. “It’s kind of funny because when I joined the Army, I didn’t like my recruiter that much, nor did my mother! Now, I work in recruiting and couldn’t be more proud and thankful of my staff and colleagues that I get to work with every day.”
Bates had been in command of recruiting since 2011. He helped orchestrate the Kentucky Guard’s ninth year in a row of successfully meeting the state’s recruiting goals. Bates has called the year hard fought but rewarding, and the Kentucky Guard leadership has taken notice of Bates’ efforts.
New ly promoted Lt. Col. Fred W. Bates V enjoys a moment next to his wife, Beth and son, David during a promotion ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 13, 2013. Bates was joined at the ceremony by his wife, three sons, mother and father. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Capt. Andi Hahn)
“Fred has been performing at this rank for years and has been a tremendous success,” said Adams, “This was a long time coming and I couldn’t be more proud to stand here and promote him to the well-deserve rank of lieutenant colonel.”
A proud father may have summed the ceremony up best for all in attendance.
“I didn’t get the pleasure of serving in the Army but as I stand here today and watch my son be honored and climb the ranks, I see how much he is loved and cared for in this organization,” said Fred W. Bates IV. “I want to thank all of you for allowing me to be here today to witness such an occasion and congratulations again to my son.”
To see more photos from the promotion ceremony, click here.
