Finney honored with Missouri Army National Guard recruiting award

Maj. Larry Crowder presents Sgt. 1st Class Ted Finney (right) with the Recruiting and Retention Commander-Sergeant Major Award. (Photo by Rachel Knight).

By Jennifer Archdekin
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

ST. JOSEPH - The Missouri Army National Guard's 27th Recruiting and Retention Battalion recently honored Soldiers for their past year's efforts in building the National Guard state-wide.

Among those honored was Sgt. 1st Class Ted Finney with Area 1, 27th Recruiting and Retention Battalion in St. Joseph. Finney received the Recruiting and Retention Commander-Sergeant Major Award.

The award is presented to recruiting and retention noncommissioned officers who produced 15-17 new enlistments during the year.

"This award shows I'm a successful recruiter," said Finney. "I don't want to fail; I want to be a successful recruiter."

For Finney, there is a lot more to getting this award than just the numbers on the board.

"I treat every kid like they're my own, because my own son is in the Guard," said Finney. "My own son has been to Afghanistan and back. I take it very personally what I talk to these kids and their parents about. I'm a parent just like they are and I have the same issues and the same concerns."

Finney said that he takes great care and pride when recruiting a new Soldier.

"I want them to get into good units, the unit that fits them," said Finney. "I really try to take care of them because I really want them to be successful as a Soldier.

Finney has been with the National Guard for 27 years and has been a recruiter for six years in northwest Missouri. Currently he is based out of the Maryville recruiting office.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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For more information about this release, please contact Jennifer Archdekin at 816-262-2893 or e-mail at jarchdekin@gmail.com.