Nevada National Guard bucks recruiting shortage, maintains strong enlistment numbers
CARSON CITY – In the face of a national military recruiting shortage, the Nevada National Guard continues to maintain strong enlistment numbers among the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, according to end of fiscal year recruiting data released this week.
The Nevada Army National Guard exceeded its recruitment goals in Fiscal Year 2023, which ended Sept. 30. The Nevada Army National Guard ranked seventh out of the 54 states and territories in percentage of its recruiting end strength goal. In total, the Nevada Army National Guard reached 100.3 percent of its Department of Defense-designated, end-strength goal (359 enlistments), surpassing the goal by one recruit. That figure is about 10 percent of the Nevada Army Guard total of about 3,400 Soldiers.
The Nevada Air National Guard also met its recruiting goal with 94 new recruits this past year, reaching a total of about 1,140 members in its ranks. The Nevada Air Guard ranked 11th best in the nation in recruitment among Air National Guard organizations in the past fiscal year.
Additionally, this marks the fourth straight year that the Nevada National Guard has seen more than 30 percent of its incoming recruits as women enlisting in the organization, which ranks far above numbers reported in the military overall.
“The Nevada National Guard has bucked national recruiting trends and has proven to remain an attractive option for employment in the Silver State,” said Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, Nevada’s adjutant general, whose daughter enlisted in the Air National Guard this past fiscal year. “To recruit and retain our force, we’ve more than doubled our efforts to create an inclusive culture and provide Guardsmen the care and support they need when they return home from deployment or conclude an extended state activation."
“The Nevada National Guard is a service organization that includes members of the communities they serve. We are neighbors helping neighbors.”
For information on how to join: Go to Nevada Army Guard or Get Started Nevada Air Guard at www.goang.com.