Air National Guard to open Valley office

WASILLA — Looking to take advantage of what officials call an untapped well of support, the Alaska Air National Guard is opening a recruiting office in Wasilla.

The tentative opening date is Dec. 18. The office will be in the new Valley Armed Forces Recruiting Center on Financial Drive across from Target. The Air Guard will join the Navy and Marine Corps already housed there.

Officials cite the rapid growth of Palmer and Wasilla as a reason for locating in the Valley.

“It’s a very untapped market for young folks,” said Master Sgt. Beth Miller, who will run the office.

Miller said the office will be a place where those interested in the National Guard can have their questions answered and start the process of joining.

It will also be located in an area with a large military population, which could be a boon to the state’s guard because joining means a recruit can stay in the state, Miller said.

Second Lt. John Callahan, the Alaska Air National Guard 176th Wing’s chief of Public Affairs, said those who join the Alaska Air National Guard are typically not sent overseas, and are relied upon to provide services within the state.

Miller added the National Guard is looking to fill what it calls critical fields first, which, at this point, is anything to do with aircraft.

Joining the national guard is different than enlisting with active-duty military.

New guardsmen and guardswomen also get a hefty sign up bonus, with up to $15,000 for those enlisting in the service for the first time.

As of this week, Guard officials didn’t have any projections regarding how many people they might recruit.

But Miller said she is optimistic, and cited a 100 percent college tuition assistance offered to recruits as an incentive to join.

Members of the National Guard typically serve one weekend a month and about two weeks out of the year, Callahan said.

Anyone curious about the recruiting process or any aspect of the national guard process can call Miller at 357-9320.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.