FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Aug. 7, 2014) -- Every year during the early summer, thousands of high school graduates pass their first significant hurdle in life by earning their diplomas. For four Columbia high school graduates, the Recruiting and Retention School was one of their first steps into the workforce and into the Army experience.
For the third year, the RRS has collaborated with the Midlands Technical College Local Workforce Investment Act, or LWIA.
Johnathan Boutte, Takia Nobles, Kierra Jones and Tyrone Guinyard participated the LWIA program, which brought them to the school for six weeks to work as role players in a dynamic learning environment. The LWIA prepares young adults for the workforce in the Midlands area and provides a six-week summer work opportunity to recent high school graduates.
Based on the Army Learning Model, the four participants added a layer of realism to the Army Recruiter and Center Commander courses. A facilitated-style training environment allowed the LWIA participants to act as applicants and prospective Soldiers for future Army recruiters. Because the LWIA workers lacked Army knowledge, they were effective in helping RRS students experience multiple scenarios.
During their six weeks at the RRS, the LWIA participants were integrated into a variety of scenarios to improve recruiting center operations, which are simulated in the RRS classrooms. The participants not only had a positive influence on the training environment, they also learned a few things about maintaining a positive attitude, commitment and setting and achieving goals.
"I learned that I can be what I want with a positive attitude and determination," Jones said.
All four said they viewed their experience with the RRS as a great learning experience and helpful as they start the next phase of life.
While in the program, Nobles and Guinyard took their experience to the next level by enlisting in the U.S. Army as a health care specialist and combat engineer, respectively.
Col. Terrence Murrill, commandant of the RRS, said that he was pleased with the collaborative efforts of the RRS and the Midlands Technical College Local Workforce Investment Act Program. Both the RRS leadership and the participants deemed the six-week program a success.
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