Palin swears in first recruits at new Valley Air National Guard center

WASILLA — Jessica Newton said she was more nervous Monday about meeting Gov. Sarah Palin than joining the Alaska Air National Guard.

Palin, who moments earlier had cut the ribbon to open the new Air National Guard recruiting center in Wasilla, swore in Newton, 17, and her 25-year-old brother Justin Lawson.

The pair were among the first recruits to be welcomed into the National Guard from the Wasilla office.

With their right hands raised, Palin read the oath to Newton and Lawson as their family and a slew of military officials looked on.

Located on Financial Drive near the intersection of the Palmer-Wasilla and Parks highways, the recruiting center is one of many branches of the military represented. Officials have said the demographics of the Mat-Su Valley are perfect for a recruiting center. The Valley’s rapid growth contributes nicely to recruiters’ goals.

“It’s a very untapped market for young folks,” Master Sgt. Beth Miller, who will run the office, said in an interview last month when the center was announced.

Lawson and Newton, both from Willow, are just the type of recruits the National Guard is looking for.

Lawson, an Iraq War veteran who stands flag-pole stiff and answers with a “yes sir,” enlisted in the Guard in part because his sister was going to. But mostly, he said he thought it was a good idea to go back to the military because of the benefits he said the service provides.

Lawson said he also hopes when his son, who is now 6 months old, grows up, Lawson’s service will make an impression on him.

That’s in line with a reason Miller gave for the Valley having the potential to garner a lot of recruits.

Miller said the area’s large military population could be a boon to the state’s guard because joining means a recruit can stay in the state, an incentive many seem to like.

Aaron Brehm, a 19-year old from Palmer, said that’s one of the main reasons he joined.

Looking on from the hall as Newton and Lawson were sworn in, Brehm, who took his oath last week, said the ability to receive all the military offers while staying close to home convinced him to join.

“It’s money for college and I get to stay in Alaska,” he said.

That theme was consistent in Newton’s answer to why she enlisted.

“It’s a part-time job with full-time benefits,” she said, adding that being in the guard will help pay for college and allow her to stay in the state.

Newton will join the Operations Group to work on a small staff that coordinates the operation of planes and helicopters.

After the swearing in ceremony was over, Palin touted the benefits of having another recruiting office locate in the Valley.

“This is really good,” she said. “It fits demographically.”

Guard officials say they don’t have any quotas or projection regarding how many people they plan to recruit.

Miller said the 100 percent tuition assistance offered is typically an incentive to join. Plus, National Guard members usually serve one weekend a month and about two weeks a year.

Regardless of how many people sign up, Guard officials want Valley residents to know the center is open and ready to guide possible new recruits through the process.

For Lawson, Newman and Brehm, that process is well on its way.

In separate interviews, each said they are more anxious to get started than they are nervous about the endeavor. For recruiters in Wasilla, the three recruits present Monday signify the beginning to what they hope will be a trend.