SPRINGIFELD, Mo -- The Missouri Air National Guard opened its first-ever recruiting office in Springfield on April 27.
The new office, located at 2445 N. Kansas Expressway, Suite D, will provide those interested in joining the Air National Guard with information, opportunities and benefits. Until the office was opened, applicants primarily spoke to recruiters via email, phone or travelled several hours to meet face to face.
“This brand new Air National Guard office is a huge benefit to the local community,” said Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, the Adjutant General of Missouri. “Beyond the federal programs, Missouri provides up to 100 percent tuition, a top incentive for many of our recruits.”
Surrounded by well-wishers, Danner, Col. Ken Eaves, 131st Bomb Wing commander, and senior leaders within the Missouri Air National Guard were in attendance for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
“Recruiting is all about relationships,” said Eaves.. “The best way to build those relationships is to get in the communities we serve. Our new recruiting office will help us have the one-on-one interactions to discuss our path to a better start and connect with Missourians who have a desire to serve and make a difference.”
After the ribbon cutting, Danner administered the oath of enlistment for the newest member of the Missouri Air National Guard, Mr. Tristan Lambert, a 2016 graduate of Lebanon High School, who joined the 131st Bomb Wing.
Lambert will attend Air Force Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and then receive training in cyber systems operations at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Afterward, he will drill one weekend per month and two weeks per year at Jefferson Barracks, in St. Louis, and plans to attend college at Missouri State University.
“My career goals involve aviation and I’m still deciding on a training program.” said Lambert. “I’ll be heading to college soon and the tuition benefits that the Air Guard offers are amazing.”
Beyond tuition, Lambert had praise for the recruiting team and the sense of Guard family.
“Being a part of a family atmosphere is another reason I joined,” said Lambert.
Danner agreed with Lambert’s sentiment. “The culture of the Guard has always been family,” Danner said. “We’re a family, we take care of one another.”
Headquartered in Jefferson City, the Missouri Air National Guard is home to two air wings. The 131st Bomb Wing, the Air National Guard's only B-2 Spirit wing, is located at Whiteman Air Force Base and has units at Jefferson Barracks, and the 139th Airlift Wing, a C-130 Hercules unit, is based in St. Joseph.
“The state takes care of our military,” Danner said. “Our active duty and annual training is tax-exempt from state taxes, this a great benefit for our service members and local communities, keeping more money in the local economies.”
The Missouri Air National Guard has over 2300 members, and continually deploys personnel in support of the state of Missouri and around the world. The Missouri ANG recruits year-round; prior service members and people from age 17 to 39 may enlist, pending eligibility requirements. Contact the Missouri Air National Guard for eligibility requirements at 660-563-0698 (Springfield), 314-527-8000 (Saint Louis area), 660-687-7420 (Kansas City area) or visit www.goang.com/MO