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NJ National Guard recruiters share recruiting techniques

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez
  • New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Looking to create an all-volunteer military force similar to that of the Unites States, Albanian officials met here with New Jersey National Guard recruiters at the Military Entrance Processing Station Jan. 26.

Albania has been affiliated with the New Jersey National Guard since 1993, through the National Guard's State Partnership Program, which seeks to advance security and stability around the globe.

Since becoming an all-volunteer force in September 2010, the Albanian military has turned its attention to recruiting and retention, said Air Force Maj. Joseph Stewart, the New Jersey National Guard SPP coordinator.

"This is a great opportunity to see the process that we have heard so much about," said Lt. Eugert Hoxha, marketing officer for the Albanian military Personnel Recruiting Center.

With a tour of the MEPS station and the recruiting offices of the 108th Wing, the Albanian recruiting team was able to see and experience the recruiting process from beginning to end. The Albanians are particularly interested in developing a plan to expand their simple ASVAB test process, said Marsela Sinjari, an administrative testing specialist at the Albanian military Personnel Recruiting Center.

The goal of the Americans was to show the Albanians the whole recruiting process, from contact to contract, said Army Maj. Lonell Jenkins, a strength manager and recruiting and retention officer at the N.J. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters.

"Give them recruiting techniques," Jenkins said. "The long term goal is to start an ROTC program, and show them how that works."

The recruiting visit is among the many manifestations of the partnership New Jersey and Albania formed nearly two decades ago as the former communist dictatorship began the transition to a democracy. The partnership helped Albania meet the rigid criteria for NATO in 2009. Later this year, as part of the partnership, a team of New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will deploy to Afghanistan with a contingent of Albanian troops.