Extra effort pays off

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Duane Duimstra
  • 114th Fighter Wing
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - --  The 114th Force Support Squadron personnel rallied for a late night group enlistment here June 5, 2015 in an effort to ensure new enlistees receive their enlistment bonuses prior to the temporary discontinuation of this incentive program.

The National Guard Bureau announced the enlistment incentive program would stop for the remainder of the fiscal year effective June 6, 2015.

From the moment they received the announcement, FSS personnel worked quickly, diligently calling recruits, processing paperwork, and patiently waiting until the very last person was able to arrive to sign their contracts.

"We came up with a game plan to get as many people enlisted as we possibly could," said Maj. Sallie Ketcham, 114th Force Support Squadron commander.   "We enlisted everyone possible who was prequalified and who was willing to enlist that night."

The return of the incentive program is uncertain, so in order to honor the promises made to these newest airmen, members of the 114th FSS had to go above and beyond the call of duty to expedite the enlistments.

"This speaks volumes about the South Dakota Air National Guard and how we like to take care of our folks," said Ketcham.