Deployment and education prepares new recruiter for Missouri Guard

During a monthly drill with new Missouri National Guard recruits, Sgt. Jerry Simons (left) talks with fellow recruiter, Sgt. 1st Class Jim Neighbors, before teaching a class. Simons instructed new Citizen-Soldiers on how to search a vehicle and a detainee. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin/Missouri National Guard)

By Jennifer Archdekin
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Though having served in the military for nine years, Sgt. Jerry Simons is one of the newest troops to join the ranks of the Missouri Army National Guard.

Simons recently transferred from the Kansas National Guard to become a recruiter in the Kansas City metro area and has been a Citizen-Soldier for seven years.

"I made the change to recruiting because I wanted to guide potential applicants into a great career in the Army National Guard," said Simons. "I look forward to working with high school students and young adults and assist them in achieving their goals of joining the military and going to college."

Before becoming a recruiter Simons deployed in 2010 with the 2-137th Infantry Regiment to the Horn of Africa in Djibouti. His service overseas allows him to share his experiences with potential recruits. Simons' unit went on a security mission to the Port of Djibouti and Camp Lemonnier.

"A lot of people have a misconception about the military as a whole that we only go to Iraq and Afghanistan," said Simons. "Africa was a wonderful experience. It was relatively safe and we were on more of a humanitarian mission. We built churches, helped the local people, we visited orphanages and helped out little kids in shelters. I can give them a different light about deploying verses only going to Iraq and Afghanistan."

As a graduate of Officer Candidate School, Simons can also help steer potential troops and new Soldiers in their career paths within the military, whether that is on the enlisted route or officer route.

"It helps that I can say I've been there, I've done that, and tell what my experience was like," said Simons. "It was challenging and good training."

Simons also holds a bachelor's degree in strategic leadership and security management, adding yet another tier to his sundry of skills and knowledge.

Simons is supported by his wife, Nicole, and their five children. He is a graduate of Julia Richman High School in New York, and Southwestern College in Kansas. Currently he is enrolled in the master's of business administration program at Baker University in Lee's Summit.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog