Army Recruiters partner with Richmond Police to educate and empower youth

By Ms. Jaclyn Pennoyer (Grafenwoehr)August 8, 2018

Army Recruiting Team
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Six recruiters from Richmond Company, U.S. Army Richmond Recruiting Battalion hand out Army gifts to local community members Aug. 7, 2018 at the city's annual public safety event, the 35th National Night Out. Many of the recruiters are part of the Ar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Recruiting Push-up Challenge
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Jackie Ray and Staff Sgt. Gilmartin hold a push-up challenge near their booth Aug. 7, 2018 at Richmond's National Night Out. Ten recruiters with the U.S. Army Richmond Recruiting Battalion partnered with the Richmond Police Department to r... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Kids visit the Army Booth
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Local kids visit the Army booth at Richmond's National Night Out, an annual public safety event hosted by the Richmond Police Department and other civic associations. Ten recruiters with the U.S. Army Richmond Recruiting Battalion partnered with the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Richmond Recruiting Battalion and Richmond Police Department partnership
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cpt. Christopher Johnson, Richmond Company Commander, U.S. Army Richmond Recruiting Battalion, speaks with Police Officer Sgt. Carol Adams Aug. 7, 2018 about the National Night Out bus routes. Ten recruiters with the U.S. Army Richmond Recruiting Bat... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

RICHMOND, Va. -- Ten U.S. Army recruiters stationed across the greater Richmond area partnered with the Richmond Police Department Aug. 7 during the city's annual public safety event, the 35th National Night Out.

The event, hosted every year by several civic associations in conjunction with metropolitan police detachments, is a symbolic effort to strengthen community relations and reinforce the community's shared goal of enhanced public safety, said Sgt. Carol Adams, police officer, Richmond Police Department.

For event organizers, connecting with and inspiring city youth remains a particularly critical goal of the event, added Adams, who heads Special Projects for Richmond Police Community Youth & Intervention Services.

Army recruiters, all service members with the U.S. Army Richmond Recruiting Battalion support an organization spanning most of Virginia and smaller areas of West Virginia and Maryland. The team maintains a strong relationship with local police and were eager to participate in this year's event, said Cpt. Christopher Johnson, Richmond Company Commander, U.S. Army Richmond Recruiting Battalion.

"This is a great opportunity for us to work with our partner," Johnson said, "It is also a great way to engage the community -- especially the community's most vulnerable. As Army recruiters, we can set an example. Ultimately, our goal is to reach out, educate and provide opportunity."

Several Soldiers bussed with members of the Richmond Police Academy, as well as other city officials, to more than half a dozen National Night Out events across the greater Richmond footprint. Others set up a booth at the central festival grounds in Richmond's East End district.

"Our objective is to put a face on the Army," said Staff Sgt. Jackie Ray, Richmond Company, Richmond Recruiting Battalion. "It's about showing the community that Soldiers are approachable and that joining the Army is a great and real option."

In addition to full-time recruiting, several of the participating Soldiers belong to a specialized Army program, known as the Special Recruiter Assistance Program, or SRAP. The program allows newly-graduated recruits to visit their hometown for a few weeks and share Army experiences with their peers.

While police and military personnel have distinctly different missions, the organizations have collaborated on several regional projects since establishing a formal partnership last summer, said Richmond Recruiting Battalion staff and police officials.

"Our relationship with the U.S. Army here has been great," said Adams. "We wear different uniforms but we are all working toward the same goals: public safety, community interaction, great customer service and enlightening young individuals about the military and the police department as different [career] options."

Related Links:

Army Recruiting Richmond

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