An enlistment ceremony was held last Friday for 25 of the 34 new recruits at the Saipan World Resort.
CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan, visiting U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Tony Babauta, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Lt. Col. Robert A. Crisostomo, recruiting and retention commander of the Guam Army National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Donald J. Goldhorn, adjutant general of the Guam National Guard, joined the ceremony.
Crisostimo described the event as part of the “historical journey that has come to be known as Operation 670.”
The recruitment process began in Nov. 2009 with a two-man team coming to the CNMI for a “sensing survey.”
“The outcome of that survey was overwhelming. Because of the incentives that the National Guard has to offer the young citizens of the CNMI with regard to tuition assistance and the guard recruiter assistance program, or G-RAP, we were absolutely positive that we can offer something to these young citizens,” Crisostomo said in his speech.
He said the most difficult part for the recruits is the rigorous training and finally coming to Guam to join the rest of the unit for its mission outside of the United States.
Goldhorn said the Guam National Guard is under the command of Guam Gov. Felix Camacho but they can be called for a federal mission anytime.
He said the enlistment ceremony was a significant event that highlighted the real partnership between Camacho and the CNMI governor.
The major general said the Army National Guard has a dual mission — respond to local disasters or go on a federal mission overseas like in Afghanistan, among other conflict zones.
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