Recruiter Frank Dickson shares his love for the Oregon Army National Guard with students at Cascade, Stayton, Regis and Santiam high schools.
Dickson recently motivated three high school graduates to sign up to serve their country and their communities.
Brandon White said he wanted to give back to his community, but noted that numerous benefits that come with being in the Guard influenced his decision, including four years of tuition-free college and access to Veterans Administration home loans and medical benefits.
“It’s hard to predict what ways my country or community will need my service, but I will be prepared to help in any way possible,” said the Cascade High School graduate, Class of 2020. “I have had a personal interest in computers for a portion of my teenage years, and my chosen military occupational specialty reflects that. As an intelligence analyst, working with computers is critical to be able to analyze, process and distribute tactical and strategic information quickly and efficiently.”
Fellow classmate Zach Sandau also values a free college education, valuable job experience, community connections and an opportunity to serve his country.
“I plan to serve with the Guard at least the next six years,” he said. “I believe the Guard will help me learn more careers that interest me such as computer science and finance.”
Stayton High School graduate Tyler Delgrande is currently taking Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Delgrande is pursuing a career path as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. He enjoys working with his hands and wants to learn diesel mechanics. After training, he plans to attend Eastern Oregon University to earn his degree in fish and wildlife biology.
“I can’t say enough how proud I am of these three young men, and all the students from this community that have enlisted into all branches this past year,” Dickson said. “Serving your country is an honor and major sacrifice, I am proud to be a small part of their journey.”
Dickson became a recruiter in June 2019 after more than a decade of working in logistics for the Oregon Military department.
“I loved my job and the people I worked with but was lacking something,” Dickson said. “That thing I was lacking was the ability to make a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis, and that’s something recruiting has allowed me to do.
“I came from humble beginnings, and the military has given me the tools I needed to be successful,” he added. “It’s given me a sense of purpose and job skills. It has paid for my degree, given me a military family, and enables me to provide for my family.”
Dickson admits recruiting is not an easy job but is “very rewarding.” He said he genuinely cares for every one of his recruits and does everything in his power to ensure their success.
“Only 1 percent of the country is willing and qualified to serve, and unfortunately not every who wants to serve can,” he said. “Medical issues, mental issues, felonies, physical ability, not completing high school or getting a GED can all be disqualifying factors. Many people look to military as a last resort, but it is not in any way that.”
Those who make the cut take basic combat and specific job training out of state, and post-training return to Oregon to serve part-time one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer, Dickson said.
Dickson looks for candidates that put others first, saying, “Selfless service is one of our seven Army values, and one that is important to me.”
As well as desiring to give back to their community, Dickson said most recruits understand that people before them have made sacrifices on their behalf.
“And these young men and women have stepped up for their country and community to pay it forward,” he added.
Dickson works hard to inform interested students via classroom presentations, reaching out through social media, and supporting local sports teams.
“College and career fairs have been great opportunities to reach students,” he said. “Getting a one-on-one conversation to relay benefits and options have worked out really well for both myself and the students.”
Dickson appreciates being welcomed by area communities that allow him to not only speak with students, but who truly have an appreciation for military service.
“I have nothing but esteem for the students, parents, teachers, coaches and administrators in this area,” he said. “And at the end of the day, whether a student enlists with me or not, I just want them to be informed of all the options they have to help them reach their goals.”
In training year 2020, the National Guard had the largest mobilization of Oregon troops for overseas missions since World War II, while also providing support for the largest search-and-rescue operations during Umatilla County flooding, COVID-19 response efforts, Employment Department Call Center Operations, and, most recently, wildland firefighting efforts with both helicopter operations and fire crews.
For information, contact Dickson at the National Guard Recruiting Center, 2310 17th St. NE in Salem or call 503-383-5413.
