National Guard at Dragon Boat Festival

FLUSHING, QUEENS (08/06/2015)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Soldiers will be on hand to speak to festival-goers and support participants of the 25th Anniversary Dragon Boat Festival at Meadow Lake, Corona Park, Flushing, Queens.

WHO: New York Army National Guard Soldiers and recruiters

WHAT: New York Army National Guard Recruiters at Dragon Boat Festival

WHEN: August 8, 2015

WHERE: Meadow Lake, Corona Park, Flushing, Queens

CONTACT: Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Behnke (347) 213-1385

Festival attendees and reporters interested in hearing more about educational and career opportunities with New York's Army National Guard should come by the tent or call Sgt. Joseph Behnke at (347) 213-1385.

BACKGROUND:

The New York Army National Guard, with a membership close to 10,500 soldiers, is currently at 100 percent strength. National Guard Recruiters, though, are continually seeking new Soldiers for job and education opportunities available in units across the state.

An Army National Guard recruiting team at the festival is manning a mobile recruiting station at which visitors can find out about part-time jobs available with the Army National Guard. They can learn more about what 10,000 members of the New York Army National Guard do, and consider if they have an interest in joining that team.

Recruiters and Army National Guard Soldiers will be prepared to discuss benefits of National Guard membership. This may include money for further education, specialized skills training, and additional income.

The New York Army National Guard has units located all across the state. National Guard Soldiers can expect to serve at least one weekend a month, and a couple of weeks during the year, once they complete basic and advanced training. Other training opportunities require a greater time commitment.

Members of the Army National Guard have both a national and state function. Soldiers train as infantrymen, truck drivers, artillerymen, signal specialists, medics and supply clerks, or in other skills. This is in preparation for deployment overseas into combat zones or for other federal missions. National Guard Soldiers also put those military skills to work here in New York State when responding to state emergency missions.

Members of the media are invited to drop by the National Guard recruiting station as part of their coverage. Throughout the summer months New York Army National Guard recruiters will be manning booths at community fairs and festivals to let the public and potential Soldiers know more about opportunities available with the force.