FORT KNOX, Ky. –
U.S. Army 3rd Recruiting Brigade Commander, Col. Eric Lopez presented awards to winners of the brigades mission referral initiative ‘Operation Reserve Rush’ in a ceremony at Olive Theater. U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers and the 3rd and 7th Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Brigades, were recognized for helping to increase enlistment and support the recruiting mission of the U.S. Army.
“Operation Reserve Rush was about increasing collaboration with ROTC and the U.S. Army Reserve throughout the Midwest,” said Lopez, “and to increase our production numbers in the Regular Army and Army Reserve.”
Lopez said Operation Reserve Rush was a success, with the number of enlistments up by 400 from this point last year, specifically on the Reserve side.
He went on to say that Operation Reserve Rush 2 is being planned. The focus will be on social media with links between recruiting battalions, ROTC and the Army Reserve, e-gaming in colleges, more focus on referrals to ROTC, and will include more incentives to the Cadets and Reserve Soldiers.
U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) Commander Maj. Gen. Frank Muth, expressed his support of the referral initiative.
“Anytime we can get, what we call an ‘uplift’ in recruiting, we are all in at 100%. Our job is to put them in boots for both our nation and our Army,” Muth said. “3rd Brigade is doing a phenomenal job – very proud of all of them. Those Soldiers are doing a great job, and we’ll continue to support all their efforts.”
From the number of referrals received, one Army Reserve Soldier in particular stands out.
Private 1st Class Abbie Muterspaw, with the 256th Combat Support Hospital A Company, provided four referrals - all of which turned into enlistments.
Muterspaw said that when she first started talking about the Army, it was very difficult.
“Honestly, when I first joined the Army, I didn’t want to join - I needed the Recruiter to come to me. So I figured if I can do that for just one person, then I would be successful in my recruiting efforts. I feel very passionately about the Army, and would definitely participate in Reserve Rush 2”.
Listed are Operation Reserve Rush award winners:
ARCOM Recipients:
PFC Abbie Muterspaw, 256th Combat Support Hospital CO A - 4 contracts
SFC Eric Roth, 445th Transportation Company – 3 contracts (not present)
AAM Recipients:
PFC Juan Alvarez, the 801st Medical HRC (2 Contracts)
PV2 Benjamin Manner, HHC, 2 POG (1 Contract)
PVT Chrislyn K. Jones, 8-229th AHB (1 contract)
PVT Austin Kehl, 450th EN CO (1 contract) (not present)
CW2 Justin P. Roederer, 8-229th AHB
MAJ John B. Halsell, 8-229th AHB
SGT DesaRae Hoffmaster, 8-229th AHB
PVT Natalia M. Palenik, Current FS, 822nd MP Company (not present)
CPL Jennie Torres, 472nd Chem BN
“Top Call to Action ROTC”
3rd BDE ROTC: University of Wisconsin Madison, LTC Scott Cheney and MSG Scott Patterson
7th BDE ROTC: University of Western Kentucky, LTC Tom MacMillin and CPT Darrell E. Shepard