By Randy Savoie, BCL

New Orleans Job Corps Center students met with military recruiters on Thursday morning to learn about a career in the armed forces and many expressed a strong interest in serving their country.  

“The branch I’m really interested in is the National Guard, just being able to be at home and help those in need” says Health Occupation Technology trainee Kirsa Sambola, a New York native who grew up in Honduras. “I was raised in a third world country and just being able to learn about what the National Guard does can help me become focused and help me to strengthen my skills and want to help my community, not only in the United States of America but also Honduras, Central America, South America or wherever the service is needed.”

While recruiters from the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy were on hand as well, the Nationl Guard seemed to hold a slight lead among potential New Orleans Job Corps enlistees.

Said MOS trainee Destiny Holloway: “I spoke with Sgt. Dennis Gravier from the National Guard and he gave a lot of information on the education benefits of joining the National Guard. I’m going to meet with him in two weeks. I’m going to retake my ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude  Battery) and see how well I do and hopefully set a good foundation for my future.”

Sgt. Cheri Deppenbrock, Commander of the Downtown New Orleans U S Army Recruiting Station, said given the current tough economy the military becomes an even more attractive option for students.

“I believe more than anything the benefits that they can get (make military service a wise option) because it’s so hard to get a decent job right now everywhere. Also, because of college. If they do want to continue their career and then come out and be a more productive citizen outside the military, it definitely will get them to where they want to go.”