Start spreading the news -- Program allows Soldiers to share their accomplishments

By Andrew McIntyre, Fort Jackson LeaderOctober 9, 2014

Program allows Soldiers to share their accomplishments
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Veran Hill, community relations assistant with the Public Affairs Office, briefs Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment on the Joint Hometown News Service Program Oct. 6, 2014, at Fort Jackson, S.C. The program allows Soldiers to sh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Program allows Soldiers to share their accomplishments
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pvt. Jonathan Gonzalez, left, and Pvt. Kevin Thomas Jr., both with the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, fill out Joint Hometown News Service Program release forms Oct. 6, 2014, at Fort Jackson, S.C. The program allows Soldiers to share their ac... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Oct. 9, 2014) -- Fort Jackson Soldiers are telling their Army stories with the help of the Joint Hometown News Service Program. The program allows Soldiers to fill out a form with basic information about their accomplishments, which is then forwarded to news organizations in their hometowns.

Veran Hill, community relations assistant with the Public Affairs Office, said the Joint Hometown News Service Program is a Department of Defense program that Soldiers may participate in to showcase their accomplishments throughout their career.

"My briefing is the first opportunity Basic Combat Training Soldiers have to tell their hometown, family or friends about their graduation and the start of their Army career," Hill said. "This is done by completing the Joint Hometown News Service Release Form."

This week, Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment who will graduate today filled out the forms.

Pvt. Kevin Thomas Jr., a native of Hendersonville, North Carolina, said he wants to tell his 6-year-old daughter Alexi that he has accomplished his goal of graduating Basic Combat Training and that he did it for her and his wife, Ashley.

"Once the people in my hometown see this in the newspaper, they will be very proud of me because both of my parents were in the military," Thomas said. "The Hometown News Release will give me the opportunity to let my family know that I have achieved my goal,"

Pvt. Jamal Rismay, of Bloomfield, Connecticut joined the Army to become an Army medic. He said he used the release form to let everyone in his hometown know about his graduation and his Army career and to inspire people that they can also do something with their life.

"My brother and uncle influenced me to join the Army. I am glad that I chose to take their advice," Rismay said. "I've finally finished this long process of becoming a U.S. Army Soldier and I thought I would share my experiences with everyone else in my hometown."

Hill said Soldiers can list up to three locations anywhere in the United States where they would like to have their accomplishments recognized.

"Normally, BCT Soldiers provide locations of where those who influenced them to join the Army live -- for example their parents and a family friend -- who may live in three different states," Hill said. "The Soldiers' accomplishment will be recognized in all three states through the local newspaper, radio or television network."

Spc. Jennifer Aracena, a native of Queens, New York, said she chose to use the Joint Hometown News Service release form for a different reason.

"I want to recognize my family," Aracena said. "My uncle did 30 years in the military, however many people where I am from do not really join the military, so for me this was a unique experience. ... I am one of the few in my family to join the military so I appreciate their support. I think when the people back in my hometown hear that I've graduated. I think they'll be excited and very proud of me."

Hill said Soldiers who have graduated basic training may also share significant accomplishments such as being named Soldier of the Quarter, NCO of the Quarter, Drill Sergeant of the Cycle, graduations and promotions by going online to the Joint Hometown News Service program to list their accomplishments and the place where they would like to be recognized.

Pvt. Jonathan Gonzalez, left, and Pvt. Kevin Thomas Jr., both with the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, fill out Joint Hometown News Service Program release forms Monday. The program allows Soldiers to share their accomplishments with news outlets in their hometowns.