Maryland Guard holds “Summer Surge” recruiting events in Ocean City
By Capt. Ben Hughes
OCEAN CITY, Maryland – More than 30 Soldiers from the Maryland Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion participated in their final “summer surge” recruiting event August 17-20, 2022, which coincided with the Maryland Association of Counties conference and summer vacations at the beach.
The Soldiers had a recruiting booth at the annual MACo conference, which brought together political and business leaders at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, and multiple locations along the downtown boardwalk.
“As the people walked up and down the boardwalk, we were able to speak to them about the benefits of the Guard and for some of them it turned into a push-up contest,” U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Donita Adams, a retention non-commissioned officer with the MDARNG. “I heard so many military stories, we received appreciation for our service, and got smiles from kids asking for pictures [with us].”
Adams and other Soldiers also met with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who made visits to their locations near 7th and 14th Streets, while he was meeting with other Maryland residents out on the boardwalk. Hogan challenged Adams to a shooting contest after he learned she plays for the All-Army basketball team and has traveled all over the world to compete against other military teams.
The recruiters along the boardwalk would challenge potential recruits to push-ups or pull-ups, throw a football, or just engage them about their life goals. After a conversation, the potential recruit would walk away with a MDARNG t-shirt, cup, pen, and some information about careers in the Army Guard.
“We are engaging fellow Marylanders and guests here in Ocean City, sharing information about Maryland Army National Guard benefits, opportunities, and capabilities we bring to the community,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michelle D. Johnson, commander of the Maryland Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion. “We provide an array of skills to our Citizen Soldiers, equipping them with quite a resume to compete in the civilian sector.”
In the Maryland Army National Guard, recruits can pursue careers in aviation, cyber, engineering, intelligence, logistics, maintenance, medical, and more. Benefits include free or reduced education costs, healthcare, home loans, military pay, and sometimes bonuses.
At the convention center, Soldiers coordinated with community leaders to schedule informational events and demonstrations at local high schools and also shared information about MDARNG capabilities with local government officials. Some of the conference attendees gathered information for their child or grandchildren.
At the same time, other Soldiers canvassed the populated areas along Coastal Highway, and interacted with vacationers and local patrons at various businesses and parks in the city.
“The importance of these event, in my opinion, is to bless someone with an opportunity,” said Adams. “I think back to my adolescent years and I wish someone would have talked to me about the military. By us being visible to the community for direct one-on-one conversation, it is affording them that opportunity, planting seeds, and it’s up to them to receive it.”
Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers who complete basic training and are drilling with their units can receive up to 100% in-state tuition assistance and associated costs from undergraduate degrees to vocational certification, in addition to the GI Bill and federal tuition assistance.
For more information about careers in the Maryland Army National Guard, education benefits, and eligibility, contact a local recruiter at mdarmyguard@gmail.com.
