10/17/2007

news@timesrecord.com

By Chief Warrant Officer Mark Houdlette
Maine National Guard

Maj. Gen. Bill Libby, the adjutant general for Maine, recently congratulated the Maine Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention force for increasing the number of soldiers to 100 percent for the first time in a decade while supporting the global “War on Terrorism.”

As of Oct. 1, the Maine Guard started fiscal year 2008 with 2,109 Soldiers on the roster, exceeding its total authorized personnel of 2,100 soldiers.

Maj. Lance Gilman, commander of Maine’s Recruiting and Retention Command, said during the ceremony held at the Augusta Armory, “This is the first time the Maine Army National Guard has achieved its end strength objective in over a decade."

The Armed Forces in general have had difficulties attracting new recruits over the past few years, but the trend seems to be changing.

“Overdriving the end strength mission enhances our readiness and ability to respond to both Federal and State missions,” said Gilman.

Maj. Gen. Libby recognized Pvt. Christalin LaChance of Fryeburg, as the soldier that brought the Guard to 2,100 Soldiers, and Sgt. Dakin Magoon of Howland, who was the 414th enlistee of the year.

Also recognized were Master Sgt. Jeffrey Cummings of Hermon as top Recruiting and Retention’s team leader of the year for 2007 and Staff Sgt. Lee Williams of Holden, as Maine’s top Recruiter of the year.

In recognition of their accomplishments over the past year, Maj. Gilman of China and Sgt. Maj. Sandra Beauchesne of Lewiston received the Meritorious Service Medal as presented by Maj. Gen. Libby and State Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Small.