IN THE SERVICE: Joseph Barr

May 12, 2008 04:23 pm

— Joseph Barr recently enlisted into the Tennessee Army National Guard as a member of Troop G 2/278th ACR in the Crossville unit as a 19K M1 Abrams armor crew member. Barr began drilling with the National Guard in May 2008, departing for training Sept. 15, 2008, for approximately 18 weeks at Fort Knox, KY, where there will be heavy emphasis on physical fitness, leadership and essential soldiering skills.
During the 18 weeks of training, Barr will receive hands-on instruction to learn the skills of becoming a crew member on an M1 Abrams tank.
For the time spent in basic and advanced individual training, Barr will receive full-time pay and benefits, then return home to continue his career in the Tennessee Army National Guard
Barr was also eligible to receive assistance for college from the Montgomery GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker and 100 percent tuition assistance, and with the job choice he selected, qualified for a $20,000 enlistment bonus. He also accepted the student loan program, which pays up to $20,000 of past student loans.
The local national Guard recruiter Sgt. First Class Lonnie Kilby and Staff Sergeant Jeremy Grimm assisted Barr in making his career choice and field.
Anyone looking for more information about the Tennessee Army National Guard can visit the Web site at www.1800goguard.com, www.virtualarmory.com, or call the 24-hour career center at 1-800-GO-GUARD (1-800-464-8273), or call SFC Lonnie Kilby at 265-7271.