Dear Homeschool Administrators,

For some, it’s been over a year since our last acquaintances. For others we have yet to meet so allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Shantelle James and I serve as the Education Services Specialist and liaison between the education community and your local Army Recruiting Battalion.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has caused the Army to seek innovative ways to continue to connect with individuals qualified for military service while following CDC guidelines regarding social distancing.

To maintain the health and safety of the current and future force, the Army took a brief pause on processing new applicants and significantly reduced the number of people at the training centers until it could ensure that proper measures were in place to reduce risk as much as possible. Currently, as states across the nation begin to accelerate its economy, educators prepare for schools reopening and college and high schools students begin rethinking their education and career plans, our organization endeavors to continue to provide opportunities where local, state and recruiting command representatives can collectively maneuver to develop a results-driven awareness of career and educational opportunities offered by the Armed Services, specifically within the Army.

Army National Hiring Days is a new effort to test the Army’s digital footprint as a means for encouraging today’s young people to consider serving on our team. This nation-wide virtual campaign showcasing the U.S. Army’s 150 full-time and part-time career options, training, benefits and education is purposed to inspire individuals to consider military service. This three-day event, with aspirations to hire 10,000 new Soldiers, provides eligible qualified applicants who join June 30-July 2, 2020, a $2,000 bonus or a four-year scholarship. To enlist, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, between the ages of 17 and 34, graduated high school or received your GED diploma and met medical and physical requirements, among other stipulations.

WHAT THE ARMY OFFERS

• 150 different part-time and full-time occupations, with more than 50 healthcare provider specialties
• Up to $40,000 in bonuses or $65,000 in student loan repayment
• $4,000 in tuition assistance per year
• Comprehensive benefits package with healthcare, retirement savings, and family programs

Please help spread the word by sharing this information with students, family association members and others in your local communities seeking employment or next step opportunities. You can learn more about this initiative and Army Careers at http://www.goarmy.com/hiringdays or assist interest applicants to connect with a local recruiter via Columbia Recruiting Battalion BN Social Media outlets listed below.

• https://www.facebook.com/ColaRecruitBn
• https://twitter.com/ColaRecruitBn
• https://Instagram.com/goarmycolumbia
  -@usarmy2dBrigade @usarec @goarmy @usarmy @FortJackson
• Recruiting Command News and Information: recruiting.army.mil

In the interim, thank you for everything you do and for your continued support of the US Army.