In support of the Army's end-strength increase, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark A. Milley tasked out operational units for a mission by way of an-every Soldier recruiting initiative. Units from across the Army were directed to provide Soldiers for the Special Recruiter Assistance Program (SRAP).
The 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson took part in this mission and sent more than 50 Soldiers back to their hometowns. Soldiers were used as temporary recruiting augmenters and returned to their hometowns to have more of an impact.
For 30 days, they returned to where they lived, worked or had a significant tie allowing them a better chance of recruiting troops. This gave enlisted Soldiers the chance to share their Army story and be more of an effective recruiter by creating awareness of the Army lifestyle and career opportunities with the local community.
One Soldier who truly stood out above the rest was a young specialist from a small town in Arizona. Spc. Brianna Gastineau, health care specialist with the 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., placed seven future Soldiers in the Army from Plano, Texas, where Gastineau lived briefly before going on active duty. While that number may seem small, statistics show only 1 percent of the nation's population is qualified and willing to join the Armed Forces.
"It's a unique opportunity to take a Soldier from a unit to speak to the younger generation about their experiences within the Army and enhance the outreach to the community," said Capt. Amanda Dietzen, company commander, Company C, 4th BSB, 1st SBCT. "This will not only strengthen our Army, but also help build confidence in the Soldiers who had a chance to take part in this great mission."
Gastineau was the only person in her family to join the Army. She originally enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2016 and worked in the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Phoenix, Arizona, before going on active duty in May 2018. Her time at MEPS working in the medical field, allowed her to share real world medical experiences with fellow recruiters to improve the odds of Soldiers making it through the process and eventually enlisting in the Army.
While in Texas, Gastineau worked with the local recruiting station to complete the SRAP mission.
Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Strain, mesquite station commander with the Plano, Texas, Army Recruiting Station, described Gastineau as a calculated individual.
"She was able to adjust to her surroundings, (learned) what she needed to know and (engaged) possible future Soldiers with her genuine Army story," Strain said.
Having an introverted personality, Gastineau wasn't sure how she would do on this mission, she said. But when the moment came, she was able to exceed the mission requirements. She traveled to high school football camps, local malls and community events to find only the best for the Army. Gastineau's charisma and natural talent for connecting with others allowed her to share her Army story with everyone.
"Spc. Gastineau is an ambitious Soldier and always has a great attitude, no matter the situation," said Sgt. Joshua Mardis, lab technician and fellow Soldier with Company C, 4th BSB, 1st SBCT.
Gastineau returned to Fort Carson after a successful mission.
"SRAP is a good program if you put the right people in the right place," said Gastineau. "It's very demanding, but the referral requirement is very doable. I hope that my success in SRAP will encourage more Soldiers to take on tasks."
Gastineau's has plans to complete the Army Enlisted Commission Program and become an officer in the Army Nursing Corps in the future.
SRAP will have sent a total of 3,000 Soldiers to recruiting stations across the country by the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.
Social Sharing