Arkansas National Guard partners with Be Pro Be Proud

The Arkansas National Guard has partnered with Be Pro Be Proud to increase brand awareness of the state’s military as an option for Arkansas’ students as career choices after high school.

The $50,000 agreement lists 24 responsibilities the Associated Industries of Arkansas Foundation will provide and five responsibilities the state’s Department of the Military will provide to fulfill the agreement.

“We want to help students understand where they can fit into our organization and Be Pro Be Proud is an excellent partner in not only helping the student to explore different career fields but many of those career fields are also in the Arkansas Army National Guard,” said Lt. Col. Eric Scarbrough, the Arkansas Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander.

The Arkansas Army and Air National Guard provide money to help offset college or trade school tuition and fees, health benefits, a retirement plan, in addition to learning a skill and helping their fellow Arkansans during emergencies or natural disasters.

“The Arkansas Air National Guard recognizes the value of partnering with organizations like Be Pro Be Proud as we strive to strengthen our recruiting strategy and promote the skills and trades needed for a successful career in our military,” said Lt. Col Trae Reed, Arkansas Air National Guard Recruiting and Retention commander. “Aviation mechanics, electricians, and welders are but a few of the valuable skill sets in high demand within our organization.”

The Arkansas National Guard is a community-based organization with 85 units spread across 39 counties across the state, pumping more than $700 million annually into the state’s economy. Because Guardsmen live in all 75 counties, each county realizes a piece of that $700 million annually.

“By partnering with Be Pro Be Proud, we are able to expand our influence and tell our story while offering possible tradesman access to free college, competitive healthcare, and retirement options,” Reed said. “This partnership expands our exposure, but it also allows us to foster stronger relationships across the communities we serve and demonstrates our commitment to making Arkansas strong. Working together, allows us to enhance our impact by bringing attention to the skills gap within the state while promoting the necessary leadership tenants and tradecraft requirements to have a successful career within the Arkansas Air National Guard.”