By Sgt. Justin Stanton
As we pause during this holiday season to enjoy time with family and friends, it is a good time to take stock of all the things we have in life to be thankful for. Service to your neighbors, your community and your state is an excellent way to show your gratitude, and to be a role model for future generations.
Perhaps you’ve thought long and hard about serving in the military, but cannot commit to the possibility of being sent overseas for extended deployments or serving in combat zones.
Maybe you missed the opportunity to serve earlier in life, but want to repay a debt of gratitude to previous generations, veterans, or even your own family members.
Have you previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces and are looking for a way to get back in uniform, but stay close to home?
Recruiters from the 8th Regiment Army Component of the Texas State Guard will be processing enlistment applications for all interested applicants on Sat., Dec. 1, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Army National Guard Armory in Huntsville. We are actively recruiting for all operational areas in southeast Texas.
The 8th Regiment, Army Component, operates units in the following areas: Houston, Rosenberg, Ellington Joint Reserve Base, El Campo, Bryan/College Station, Huntsville, Beaumont/Port Arthur and Lufkin.
If you are interested in completing a packet, or just want to speak with a recruiter and ask any questions, you are welcome to come, no RSVP required. If you plan to fill out an enlistment packet, please see the required documents below and bring them with you.
Minimum Enlistment Eligibility:
Resident of Texas or enrolled student – eligible to work in the USA
Meet height & weight standards (TXSG REG 600-10)
Age 18 to 65 (mandatory retirement before 71st birthday)
Reasonably Good Health – health screening completed by military doctor
Pass criminal background check
Valid Texas Driver’s License
If prior Military Service – Honorable discharge required
Please bring the following documents:
Valid Texas Driver’s License, State ID or License to Carry
Social Security Card or official residency documentation/ID card (green card)
Education Documentation (High School or College diploma or transcripts or pictures of the same)
Proof of prior military service (DD-214 or NGB-22 if you previously served, PRIOR SERVICE NOT REQUIRED)
**Identogo FAST fingerprinting Receipt** – Identogo – FAST Instructions – the appointment costs you $10 (non-refundable) to be fingerprinted for your background investigation
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS PRIOR TO ATTENDING – packet cannot be submitted without this completed
Previous fingerprinting for CHL or other purpose CANNOT be used in substitute
Fingerprinting must be done using the TXSG-specific Service Code – 11G7VN
Direct Commission to Officer ranks is available:
Prior federal service Officers – enter at the grade you left federal service
Professional Skills Commission – Engineering, Medicine, Law, Chaplaincy
Must serve in the capacity of the professional skill for which commissioned
Professional license must be valid and accredited in accordance with military regulations
Completion of Four-Year ROTC program – must provide transcripts to validate
The 8th Regiment of the Texas State Guard serves all of Southeast Texas, from Victoria to Beaumont, College Station to Nacogdoches, and all of metro Houston areas.
The Texas State Guard is the state’s volunteer military agency, trained, organized and ready to respond when a disaster strikes and Texans need help. The Texas State Guard conducts homeland security and community service activities under the umbrella of Defense Support to Civil Authorities.
In recent years the Texas State Guard has been called to state active duty for hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and wildfires. During Hurricane Harvey, the Texas State Guard conducted boat rescues, evacuation operation, shelter management operations, and emergency tracking network operations. The Texas State Guard is the lead military component for Operation Lone Star in the Rio Grande Valley—the state’s annual humanitarian medical mission—and provides support to the state’s annual Oral Rabies Vaccination Program and the East Texas Medical Outreach missions in East Texas.
The Texas State Guard is composed of four components: Army, Air, Maritime, and Medical. The Texas State Guard also has an Engineer Group, Chaplain Corps, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Recruiting Detachment, and Texas State Guard Band.
The Texas State Guard is one of the three components of the Texas Military Department, administered by the Texas Adjutant General, and is under the command of the Governor of Texas.
Also, we will have additional opportunities upcoming:
January 2019 – Lufkin, TX
February 2019 – Rosenberg, TX
March 2019 – Port Arthur/Port Neches, TX
For more information about joining the Texas State Guard, click on the following link: https://tmd.texas.gov/
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