SGT Madison Johnson
How long have you been in: March 2022 will be 5 years
Why did you enlist: I enlisted to serve my country, give back to my community, and give myself a sense of purpose.
Why did you become a recruiter: I became a recruiter to help guide new recruits into their careers. I want to be able to be a role model for new Soldiers, and help provide the tools and support they need to be successful.
Description of yourself including: I love to be around my family and friends. I enjoy hiking, the beach and just being outdoors. I also love being a pet owner, my cat is my world!
Army awards and achievements
- 1 AAM
- Basic Combatives Level 1 Certified
- Hotel 8 Certified
- From E1 to E5 in 3 years
SFC Michael Hoffman
How long have you been in: 14 years
List of MOS’s you have had:
6672 Aviation Logistics (USMC)
92Y
Why did you enlist: Initially I enlisted because I needed financial security. After I graduated from High School (02) I bounced around different jobs in manufacturing and construction but kept getting laid off due to the economy, in 2007 I was at my wits end and had always wanted to enlist but was previously talked out of it by friends or family so rather than talking about it I just did it.
Why did you become a recruiter: Becoming a recruiter allowed me to achieve a goal that I have been chasing for the last 10 years. When I was enlisting into the service my recruiter was less than honest with me and serving in this role will allow me to present all of the benefits of service without needing to “trick” applicants into enlisting I feel as though the NHARNG product speaks for itself and I couldn’t be happier to educate those interested in learning more.
Description of yourself including:
For the last 14 years I served in the USMC and yes the crayons were tasty. I am Married to my best friend and we have 3 beautiful children together ranging from 15 down to new born. I was born in Syracuse NY (please don’t hold that against me) and grew up in Amherst NH. I have been around the world and back again serving in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, and in Bahrain in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response. I was huge into snowboarding and would like to be again, huge super hero nerd. To the best of my knowledge I am the only member of my family to have served in the military. Excited to start this chapter in my life and work towards my future.
Failure to plan is planning to fail
“For every day that you are not working towards your future you are holding your future hostage” ~GySgt Hoffman, Michael
Army awards and achievements
- 3 Navy Achievement Medal
- 4 Navy Unit Commendation Medals
- 4 USMC Good Conduct Medals
- 3 Certificate of Commendation
- 5 LOA
SGT Steven Pierce
How long have you been in: 4 Years
Why did you enlist: I always found myself wanting to give back to my community. I enlisted to create a better life for my family. My goal from day one was to become full-time AGR for the National Guard so I could make a difference everyday.
Why did you become a recruiter: I became a recruiter because I want to be the person that helps people accomplish their goals in life. Joining the military is a huge decision and I want to help guide people down the path of success.
Description of yourself including: I am married to the most amazing woman and I have 2 incredible kids! My family life is very active. We train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a family, we workout as a family. I love to go hiking up in Northern NH and have recently become a slight video game enthusiast.
Army awards and achievements
- 1 AAM
- Basic Combatives Level 1 Certified
- Hotel 8 Certified
- From E1 to E5 in 3 years
alexander.j.thurston2[email protected]
1 Minuteman Way
BLDG 1 – RRB – HQ
Concord, NH 03301
Contact Recruiter
SFC Alexander J. Thurston
How long have you been in: 21 years.
Why did you enlist: To fund college.
Why did you become a recruiter: I started sharing my experience in the Guard after my first deployment and referred several people to recruiters and was asked to apply and board.
Description of yourself including: I’m an extremely experienced Recruiting and Retention NCO who is passionate about making sure everyone who serves gets the best experience and develops themselves to be the greatness they deserve.
Army awards and achievements
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal x 4
- Army Achievement Medal x 3
- Army Good Conduct Medal x 4
- Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Stars
- NHNG State Active Duty Ribbon
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Armed Forced Reserve medal with M device and hourglass
- NCO Professional Development Ribbon – 3
- Army Res Components Overseas Training Ribbon x 2
- Army Service Ribbon
- Director’s 54 Master badge Recruiter
- Combat Action Badge
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Valorous Unit Award
SSG Ashley Maxner
How long have you been in: Enlisted July 13, 2007
Why did you enlist: It was a lifelong dream of mine to be in the Army and serve my country.
Why did you become a recruiter: I became a recruiter to offer opportunities to others that will set them up for success to achieve their life goals
Description of yourself including: Dedicated, honest, team player. I will work hard to help get you to where you want to be in life.
SFC Jason M. Collins
How long have you been in: 16 Years
Why did you enlist: Honest answer…A lot of my friends dropped out of high school and started doing dumb stuff, so I wanted to get away before I fell down the same path, build a better life for myself. I stay in because of what the Army has allowed to do, the life it has helped me make.
Why did you become a recruiter: Became a Recruiter to share the knowledge and experiences with the younger generation that may be in a similar situation as I was my senior year in high school, to hopefully make them realize it doesn’t end there. A new life can be built, and not to be afraid to turn down the dirt road to see where it goes.
Description of yourself including: Hockey fan, still play a few times a week. I like to build various things. Don’t like dirty windows. I’ll never shave my head. Always wear my seatbelt. Love motorcycles. Love hiking. Love fishing. Hate running, but I do it. Want to learn to fly a helicopter. I don’t care about long walks on the beach. Can’t wait to grow a beard when I retire. I’m an Alicia Keys fan. Favorite color is red. Favorite animal is a mountain lion or tiger. Love my lawn. I think I could beat a chimp in a fight. Enjoy helping others achieve their goals. Active duty prior to enlisting in the NG. Multiple deployments to Iraq an AFG. Been a Recruiter for 2 ½ years. Seacoast Team Leader.
Army awards and achievements
- Seacoast Team Leader
- Recruiter of the quarter
- (RY20) AFG Campaign Medal w/ campaign star
- ARCOM (3)
- Army good conduct medal
- Army reserve component achievement medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global war on terrorism expeditionary
- Global war on terrorism service medal
- Army service ribbon
- Overseas training ribbon
- Armed forces reserve medal w/ M device
- Nato medal
- NCOPD (2)
- Overseas Service Ribbon (2)
SGT Shawn Bleau
How long have you been in: 6 years
Why did you enlist: I enlisted to carry on my family tradition of service in the New Hampshire army national guard, and to fulfill the need to serve my country with in myself
Why did you become a recruiter: I became a recruiter to help spread the word and give other people the opportunities that were given to me and my family.
Description of yourself including: I am a New Hampshire born and raised avid outdoorsmen and look for every opportunity to get in to the woods of New Hampshire. I am a father of four daughters and a third generation New Hampshire Army National Guardsmen.
Army awards and achievements
- Army acheivement medal
- Rams head device (Military mountaineer)
- Pistol EIC (bronze)
- Sqi4 non career military recruiter
- Military funeral honors course
- NCO professional development
- Overseas training ribbon
- Army service ribbon
- National defense service ribbon
- New Hampshire national guard service ribbon
SSG Dustin Glidden
How long have you been in: 13.5 years
Why did you enlist: I needed to get on a better path in life. I wanted to do my part after 9/11.
Why did you become a recruiter: To help people make a positive change in their lives, team player, loyal and honest.
Description of yourself including: I am a father, husband, Soldier and mountaineer.
Army awards and achievements
- CIB
- Rams Head
- 2 ARCOM
- 3 AAM
- AGCM 2
- NDSM
- NATOMDL
- VUA
- NOPDR 3
- ASR
- OSR 2
- CIB EICRB
- AFRMM
- GWTSM
- ACM-CS 2
SGT Shane Ordway
How long have you been in: 12 years
Why did you enlist: I was always part of a team growing up playing sports and after high school I went to a military college to be in the corps and play football and baseball but I left school because school was not my thing. When I left school there was always something missing so I joined the guard to fill that void in my life and to have an adventure and challenge myself.
Why did you become a recruiter: I think everyone would join if they know what we are about so I’m here to do just that, help everyone join.
Description of yourself including: I’m oldish but young at heart with 3 kids and a wife, when I have time I enjoy bonfires with friends watching movies (huge movie buff, favorite movie Top Gun yes I’m old). In my younger years I played college football and baseball at Norwich until I left school. Fun facts, a very distant relative of mine helped lead the Louis and Clark expedition, my grandfather was a diver in the Navy and helped recover astronauts when they use to drop in the ocean. one of my favorite quotes “if you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill.
Army awards and achievements
- 3 AAM
- 2 ARCAM
- 4 overseas training ribbons
- Basic leader course
SSG Adam Collier
How long have you been in: 17 years
Why did you enlist: Service to country. 9/11
Why did you become a recruiter: Give back to the community I grew up in
1 Minuteman Way
Concord, NH
03301
Contact Recruiter
SSG Christopher Demain
How long have you been in: 10 Years
Why did you enlist: I joined to help protect my country and community. I knew that in order to be a part of the big picture of protecting and providing support to both country and community, the Army National Guard was the path for me.
Why did you become a recruiter: I became a recruiter because I wanted to help those looking for a path to success, not only see or hear that the ARNG could provide this, but give them my story and end up making their own success story while being a part of our organization.
Description of yourself including: I have always been the kind of person to put others before myself. I have a “go getter” mentality and will stop at nothing until all tasks are completed. One thing I always say is Get After it! That “it” is your goals, dreams and tasks at hand. Don’t stop until it’s completed and you are satisfied. That’s who I am and I will always Stay After It! I am here for you!
Army awards and achievements
- ARCOM-1
- AAM-1
180 Heater Road, Lebanon NH, 03766SSG Benjamin Courchesne
How long have you been in: 12 ½ years of service, Joined through the NHARNG through the split option program in 2008 at age 17 Went to fort Leonardwood, MO for both basic and AIT
Why did you become a recruiter: Recruiter for 1 year
Description of yourself including: Graduated Newport,NH High School
– Keene State College, Physical Education
– Father of 2
– 29 years old
Army awards and achievements
- Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan 2013
- El Salvador training mission 2017
- State Active Duty Hurricane Irene
Manchester Storefront,
655 South Willow St,
Manchester, NH 03103
Contact Recruiter
SFC Robin F. Rojek
How long have you been in: 12 years
Why did you enlist: College Money and Service to Country. Following father’s footsteps
Why did you become a recruiter: To help young adults create a career path/sense of direction- with or without college and for them to use the Guard to set them up with a path of success in order to become more successful with more opportunities.
Description of yourself including: I am currently the Team Leader for the NH Army National Guard Manchester Recruiting Office. I am also a Drill Sergeant at the Recruit Training Company. I attended Plymouth State University studying Criminal Justice. I have been recruiting for 7 years, which the last 4 have been in the Manchester-Derry area. My hobbies included playing sports (soccer, football, and softball), hiking, swimming, and home construction.
Army awards and achievements
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- Driver’s Badge
- Drill Sergeant Badge
- 2x Director’s 54 award (NH Top Recruiter)
SSG Derek Kirlis
How long have you been in: Joined NHARNG 2011 as 13M Himars Crewmember in the 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Brigade, Bravo Battery, out of Nashua
Why did you become a recruiter: I became a recruiter so that I could help inform the public of what the Army National Guard is and what serving with us can do for the team. The Army National Guard gave me the opportunity to become very successful and reach my goals. I want to give that opportunity to others, so they too can be on the path to success and financial freedom.
Description of yourself including: Born in MA, Graduate of Pinkerton Academy, Bachelor’s Degree Criminal Justice, 11 years of law enforcement experience
Army awards and achievements
- Deployed United Arab Emirates 2015
- FY 18 Rookie of the year
- Team Leader 2019
- Master Recruiting Badge
- Master Fitness Instructor
- Level 3 certified ACFT
- Certified Army Instructor
- AAM x3
SFC Kevin Wheeler
How long have you been in: Enlisted 12th May 2005 as a Spit-Option, Jr in High School
Why did you enlist: I wanted to serve my country and set a good foundation for the rest of my life.
Why did you become a recruiter: To make known and offer opportunities to the young men and woman throughout my community.
US Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Non-Career Recruiter, Fair but firm, team player, loyal and honest.
Army awards and achievements
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star
- NATO Afghanistan Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award)
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star
- Non Commissioned Officer
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon(2nd award)
- Armed forces Reserve Medal w/ M device
- Combat Action Badge
- Army Achievement Medal.