JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Local recruiters with the North Dakota Army National Guard are encouraging area individuals to get involved.

SSG Andrew Tanata and SSG Aaron Schmidt are both recruiters with the local National Guard. SSG Schmidt says when it comes to recruiting for the guard, they take a very family-oriented approach.

The Army National Guard is the oldest component of the United States armed forces.

“The Guard doubled the size of the Regular Army when it was mobilized in 1940, more than a year before Pearl Harbor, and contributed 19 divisions to that war, as well as numerous other units, to include Guard aviation squadrons,” the National Guard states. “Over 138,000 Guardsmen were mobilized for Korea, followed by numerous smaller mobilizations for the Berlin Crisis, Vietnam, and numerous strikes and riots at home. Over 63,000 Army Guardsmen were called to serve in Desert Storm, and in the decade since then, Guardsmen have seen a greater role than ever before conducting peacekeeping in Somalia, Haiti, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Bosnia, and Kosovo.”

SSG Tanata says they would love anyone who has questions or wants to apply to just stop by at their offices in the Jamestown Civic Center.

Tanata says he considers the National Guard the “best part-time job” out there.

Schmidt says one of the biggest incentives of joining the Army National Guard is 100% of tuition covered for state schools and receiving $734 a month tax free for just going to school.

When you enlist, you’ll get to choose your “job” within the guard. Drills are held one weekend per month plus a two-week period each year.

You’re encouraged to contact SSG Tanata or SSG Aaron Schmidt at 701-320-0649 or 701-429-1098 if you have any questions.

Listen to a full Let’s Talk About It with SSG Andrew Tanata and SSG Aaron Schmidt below: